1/16/09

Caution: Lithium Batteries Pose Fire Risk

An "AA" Lithium Iron battery used in a computing room device spontaneously failed and ignited, posing a serious fire risk. When the internal battery material self-ignited, the built-up pressure burst one end of the battery, effectively turning it into a small rocket. The burning battery ejected from the device and flew about ten feet horizontally before hitting a column. The device's battery compartment had a plastic cover attached with two small screws, but the heat of the fire softened the plastic and the projectile force of the battery knocked the device cover off. Had the battery not hit an obstruction, its trajectory would have carried it thirty or forty feet across the room, potentially injuring someone, or landing on combustible material and igniting a fire. Fortunately in this case the battery landed on noncombustible flooring and burned out, causing no further damage. Research has shown that lithium batteries, due to the raw materials used, inherently pose a fire risk upon failure that is not posed by the common alternative of Alkaline batteries. In addition, due to certain design features, some Chinese lithium AA batteries are inherently at higher risk than the "gold standard" Energizer brand lithiums.