Rank: New forum user 
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Hi,
I work offshore where we use, and store a significant amount of lithium batteries. Reading the MSDS and talking to other people its suggested the best way to fight a fire is with CO2 or copious amounts of fresh water. I also read in a FAA publication something about using Halon...can anyone point me in the right direction on this one?
Cheers
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Halon, wasn't that banned years ago for destroying the ozone layer?
Back to the point, perhaps the way to store them safely is in a fire safe or similar container that will limit the effect of the fire. Are you concerned with spontaneous self ignition or them being involved in a fire from elsewhere?
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Rank: Super forum user
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alan,
Could consider storage as per design of paint locker offshore?
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Rank: New forum user
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Thanks for the reply, i'm currently looking into the paint locker type stowage with a water flush attachment and drain. CO2 is banned from most ships i work on, that's why i was questioning the halon solution. Thanks again.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Hmmm
If it's a ship and a paint locker is on deck by normal SSoW methods access would be restricted?
Why would CO2 not be considered as an extinguishing medium in that situation as would not be in any accommodated areas?
Just a thought!
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Rank: New forum user
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Know where your coming from, it's CO2 that's a dirty word onboard a ship..no mater that the locker would be situated on a open deck, they still wont have CO2. The alternative is Argonite and i think were going down that road. If you get bored google it...it does the same as CO2!! Once again, thanks for the input.
P.S. halon isn't banned, it not nice, but it isn't banned
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Rank: Super forum user
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Perhaps I am being stupid but what is the difference between flooding a confined space with CO2 and argonite both of which are inert gases that do not support life.
The beauty of the Halon type fire suppression systems was that they did not work by displacing oxygen like CO2 does but instead produced free radicals that inhibited the fire reaction itself. That meant levels as low as 7% can suppress a fire but people can survive at this level, although they might pass out.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Both in sufficient volume can result in oxygen depletive atmosphere but would suggest you look at toxicity of CO2. That should answer your question.
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Rank: Super forum user
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According to a website called 'the fire extinguisher guide', halon fire extinguishers are now illegal in the UK, due to the damaging effect the fire extinguishing agent has on the Earth’s ozone layer. There are only three main exceptions to this rule; Halon fire extinguishers can be used in aircraft, for military use, and in the Channel Tunnel.
LB
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Rank: Super forum user 
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A customer of mine uses a range of bespoke lithium batteries (some are very large) and uses L2 Graphite based dry powder extinguishers to cover the risk both whilst the batteries are in storage ( inside and outside the room) and in transit. The storage room - is protected by 2 hour fire resisting walls and a one hour fire door. A second 1 hr fire shutter is closed over the door at night. There's also a manual call point in the room to actuate the fire alarm without delay. For the smaller batteries, an open box of graphite powder is supplied in which to place (and if possible, bury) hot batteries whilst emergency services are summoned The L2 extinguishers ain't cheap, but should be more effective than CO2 More about 'L2' fire extinguishers here: http://www.fireextinguis...inguishers-for-metals-2/And website selling them here: http://www.fireprotectio...2-fire-extinguisher.htmlNB: The above websites are for information only as I do not know or endorse the companies or the products/services they supply
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Rank: Super forum user
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Halon or CO2 will not extinguish a lithium fire. At the early stages involving a single battery you may have some chance using an L2 PFE but once chemical reaction and venting takes place you can expect other cells in the vicinity to become involved in a short period of time. Portable fire extinguisher would be fine for small number of batteries but for bulk storage sprinkler protection would be preferable.
Ultimately, equipment under charge and use would require a small number of batteries (unless UPS) therefore electrical isolation and portable L2 extinguisher would suffice.
Stored batteries would only be involved in fire due to external radiant heat flux hence sprinkler protection.
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