G-LION Lithium Batteries Part 2

General Guidelines and Safety Considerations

• All TFS personnel working in a Controlled Area must wear full PPE, SCBA with face-piece worn for the duration of the event.
• No LIB assemblies or ESS containers will be opened or overhauled for safety.
• Upon confirmation of a LIB event, Heavy Haz and Haz Support will be requested if not already dispatched.
• Canutec (*666) is the primary resource for information and should be used as a reference to confirm all on-site information.

Ejected Cells and LIB Removal

• A thorough search for ejected cells must be completed and announced as a benchmark to the Incident Commander.
• Any unaffected LIBs in the vicinity should be removed using non-conductive tools to prevent their involvement.
• No TFS member will hold the battery or cell in their hands.

Hazardous Materials and LIBs

• LIBs are to be considered energized even after they have been shut down or discharged.
• Damaged, discharged LIBs may still contain a charge referred to as stranded energy.
• Non-conductive equipment should be used at these incidents where deemed a necessary safety precaution.

Evacuation and Safety Precautions

• Larger evacuation areas in high-rise buildings may be required due to the production of higher levels of toxic and flammable gases.
• Firefighters must stay out of the vapour cloud.
• E-bikes and mobility devices situated in the entryway to apartments may block escape for residents in a fire situation.

Incident Command and Communication

• Incident Commanders, Company Officers, and all crews must consider the use of non-conductive equipment at these incidents.
• The Hazardous Material Unit, along with the IC, will develop a plan for isolating the LIBs in their present location and/or on how to proceed with their removal.
• Incident Commanders will use a TFS supplied cell phone to take pictures of the batteries involved and send to the Division Chief (DVC) Fire Investigations.

Post Incident Procedures

• Post incident decontamination will be undertaken by crews that have been exposed to smoke, vapours, or other contaminants during the incident, as per TFS TN 104.2.

Incident Actions for Fires

• Water is the primary extinguishing agent to be used.
• Water should be used as a cooling agent for exposed LIBs.

Electric Vehicle Fires

• EV fires present other concerns for the Incident Commander when developing their IAP.
• EV fires in unvented, single-family garages may provide the perfect conditions for backdraft or explosions due to the build-up of gases inside.
• The Incident Commander should develop an IAP considering the use of smaller entry doors as their primary avenue of attack.
• EVs connected to charging stations should have the power shut down/disconnected as soon as possible.