Toronto Fire Service - Lithium-Ion Battery Operations PDF

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE FIREFIGHTING OPERATIONS INVOLVING LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES AND ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS Date Issued: May 9, 2023 Rescinds: N/A Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-LESS PURPOSE To provide all Toronto Fire Service (TFS) personnel with a guideline for incide...

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE FIREFIGHTING OPERATIONS INVOLVING LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES AND ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS Date Issued: May 9, 2023 Rescinds: N/A Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-LESS PURPOSE To provide all Toronto Fire Service (TFS) personnel with a guideline for incidents involving Energy Storage Systems (ESS) containing lithium-Ion batteries (LIBs) that support residential, commercial, and public utility systems. Incident conditions may vary, which will dictate your actions, in accordance with TFS guidelines, policies and procedures. RESPONSIBILITY All TFS personnel are responsible for safety during incident operations. All TFS personnel are responsible for understanding and following TFS SOGs during incident operations. Company Officers are responsible for ensuring all personnel follow established guidelines for responses to LIB and ESS emergencies. GUIDELINES 1. Definitions Energy Storage Systems (ESS) (a) A battery or group of batteries assembled, capable of storing energy to supply electrical energy at a later time. (b) These batteries may be proprietary, after-market or DIY. (c) There are 4 types of Energy Storage systems: i. Walk in container system, (outdoor) ii. Outdoor cabinet, not walk-in iii. Indoor facility: residential, commercial, public utility iv. Large and small vehicle batteries Thermal Runaway The primary risk related to LIB’s is a phenomenon in which the lithium-ion cell enters an uncontrollable, self-heating state. Thermal runaway may result in: (a) dispersion of gases (b) ejection of shrapnel and or particulates (violent cell venting) (c) fire File Code: G-LESS Page 1 of 5  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE 2. Background The use of LIBs is a source of power to support residential, commercial, and public utility applications and their use is growing exponentially. Damaged batteries, improperly or overcharged batteries and non-regulated equipment are some of the most common causes of thermal events. Fires involving LIBs in energy storage systems are increasing in number and are subject to issues such as thermal runaway and the production of hazardous gases. If not the initial cause, LIBs may cause the fire to intensify. 3. Hazards LIBs may rupture and disperse toxic flammable gases and/or explode violently when the gases ignite due to the following: (a) Thermal Conditions: Hot or cold or changes to temperatures. (b) Physical: Impacted, crushed, or pierced. (c) Electrical: Over-charging or forced discharge, including internal manufacturing defects or internal short circuiting. (d) Drying after being wet. If LIB is submerged for a long period of time, discard the battery. Discard LIB immediately if water was saltwater. Saltwater conducts electricity much more than fresh water and it will cause the battery to discharge. NOTE: Flammable and Toxic Gases: LIBs in thermal runaway produce many different gases. These gases may combine to form a flammable, explosive and toxic atmosphere. Toxicity and flammability levels vary depending on specific battery technology and manufacturer. Significant explosions can be produced by small batteries. Pressurized gases may appear as white smoke venting and may be noticed prior to ignition. NOTE: Re-ignition: LIBs may unexpectedly re-ignite with no warning, minutes, hours or even days after all visible fire has been extinguished. File Code: G-LESS Page 2 of 5  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE Water (a) Water will not prevent a battery from entering thermal runaway. NOTE: Under no circumstances, TFS staff are to compromise the container to help water get into the case. 4. General Guidelines and Safety Considerations All TFS personnel working in a Controlled Area must wear full PPE, SCBA donned with face-piece worn for the duration of the event up to and including the completion of overhaul. No ESS containers will be opened or overhauled for the safety of firefighters. Incident Commanders should consider letting the fire burn itself out and have crew’s set-up defensive operations and protect exposures from a safe distance. Always consider the system energized even when it has been shut down and/or the LIBs have been discharged. All LIBs, even when discharged, may still contain a charge referred to as stranded energy. If not already on-scene, request site staff be contacted to attend. NOTE: CANUTEC (*666) is the primary resource for information and should be used as a reference to confirm all on-site information. Incident Commanders, Company Officers and all crews must consider the use of non-conductive equipment at these incidents where deemed a necessary safety precaution. Incident Commander will use a TFS supplied cell phone to take pictures of the batteries involved and send to Division Chief (DVC) Fire Investigations. Incident Command considerations: (a) TICs may not give accurate readings depending on the remaining protection surrounding the battery. (b) TFS personnel shall not hold or handle the battery or cell in their hands. (c) Incident Commander will implement a fire watch as required. File Code: G-LESS Page 3 of 5  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE 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. 5. Incident Operations If it is a commercial or utility installation, follow Site Pre-plan and Do Not Enter an ESS installation. For residential responses, shut-off power to the unit, ventilate the area and protect exposures. In all cases, contact manufacturer, emergency contact or on-site Support as soon as possible. Note: If the manufacturer or on-site Support is not available- consult with the Hazmat Captain, Incident Commander and possibly CANUTEC. Water may not prevent a battery from entering thermal runaway. Water may provide a cooling effect on the adjacent battery cells. DO NOT ENTER an ESS vault. This should be considered a Confined Space Incident and follow current TFS SOGs and Training Notes. Drainage capacity and runoff control arrangements must be a consideration for the Incident Commander for extended firefighting operations. Post incident decontamination will be undertaken by crews that have been exposed to smoke, vapors, or other contaminants during the incident, in line with TFS TN 104.2. 6. In the Event of a Fire or Smoke in a Commercial or Public Utility ESS The Incident Commander shall: (a) Complete an incident size-up including 360 where possible. (b) Take a defensive stance and be prepared to apply water and protect exposures. Establish a safe exclusion zone and evacuate where possible. Establish a dedicated water supply. Extinguishment, Incident Commanders should consider the use of multiple hose lines (minimum of two 65 mm hose lines flowing 950 l/min each up to and including master fire streams). File Code: G-LESS Page 4 of 5  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE Check for and connect to Fire Department Connections to support a sprinkler system or deluge system inside the structure. Connection is to remain dry until Incident Command orders FDC’s charged. Water is the preferred extinguishing agent for response to LIB incidents. Prevent the building or vault doors from being opened. Prevent entry into the vault or building. The location of blow-out/blast panels should be noted, and caution should be taken when working in their vicinity or close proximity. Shut off power and confirm power disconnect with site representatives. Protect exposures. Consider the use of master fire streams. Incident Commanders and fire crews may consider allowing the LIB to burn itself self out. It may take full work cycle of up to 12 hrs. or more for the battery packs to cool down and be completely drained of power. 7. In the Event of a Fire or Smoke in a Residential ESS Incident Commander shall: (a) Complete an incident size-up including a 360 where possible. (b) For residential responses, shut-off power to the unit, ventilate the area and protect exposures. (c) Take a defensive stance. (d) Ensure a dedicated water supply. (e) Ensure the space is properly ventilated. (f) Maintain a safe distance from the ESS and monitor the incident conditions. (g) Extinguishment, Incident Commanders should consider the use of multiple hose lines (minimum of two 65mm hose lines flowing 950 L/min each up to and including master fire streams). (h) The location of blow-out/blast panels and doors should be noted, and caution should be taken when working in their vicinity or near the openings. ATTACHMENT(S) N/A RELATED SOGS G-HYDR - Hydro Electric Emergencies G-CONF - Confined Space Rescue G-PHOT - Fire Operations for Photovoltaic (PV) Emergencies File Code: G-LESS Page 5 of 5