Challenges in Fire Suppression
Fires at BLESS facilities, particularly those involving lithium-ion batteries, present significant challenges due to:
- Thermal Ignition: Lithium-ion batteries can heat up to extremely high temperatures, causing explosions and fire spread.
- Toxic Emissions: The combustion of batteries releases toxic gases, complicating firefighting efforts and posing hazards to firefighters.
- Access to Fire Source: The dense arrangement of batteries hinders the application of traditional firefighting methods.
Statistics of Unsuccessful Suppression Attempts
Traditional firefighting methods, such as water and foam, often prove ineffective in extinguishing fires involving lithium-ion batteries. According to the data summarized in the BLESS Container Fire Incidents Statistics document:
- Nearly all suppression attempts using only water or foam fail due to re-ignition.
- A high percentage of equipment and infrastructure damage occurs due to the inability to swiftly localize the fire.
The document provides detailed yearly statistics:
- 2017: 5 incidents, 0 fatalities, 10 injuries, $1.5 million in property damage.
- 2018: 8 incidents, 3 fatalities, 20 injuries, $3.0 million in property damage.
- 2019: 12 incidents, 5 fatalities, 25 injuries, $4.5 million in property damage.
- 2020: 15 incidents, 2 fatalities, 30 injuries, $6.0 million in property damage.
- 2021: 18 incidents, 4 fatalities, 35 injuries, $7.5 million in property damage.
- 2022: 22 incidents, 6 fatalities, 40 injuries, $9.0 million in property damage.
- 2023: 25 incidents, 8 fatalities, 45 injuries, $10.5 million in property damage.
Advantages of the BLESS aerosol-water mist fire suppression method
The combined BLESS fire suppression method, employing both aerosol and water mist, developed by Impulse Storm Ltd., demonstrates significant advantages:
- Suppression Efficiency: Aerosol systems rapidly reduce combustion temperatures and prevent re-ignition. Water mist further cools the batteries and lowers the ambient temperature.
- Damage Minimization: The combination of aerosol and water mist allows for faster localization of the fire, reducing damage to equipment and infrastructure.
- Reduction of Toxic Emissions: Aerosol components neutralize toxic gases, decreasing health risks to firefighters and the environment.
- Versatility of Application: This method is effective for extinguishing various types of fires, making it a universal solution for facilities with high fire risk.
Conclusion
Fire suppression at BLESS facilities requires modern methods that ensure high efficiency and safety. The combined BLESS aerosol-water mist fire suppression method, an exclusive patented property of Impulse Storm Ltd., demonstrates substantial advantages, including rapid suppression, reduction of toxic emissions, and minimization of damage. These characteristics make it the preferred choice for protecting facilities with high fire risks, especially those housing lithium-ion batteries. The increasing number of incidents, fatalities, injuries, and property damage underscores the urgent need for improved fire suppression technologies to address the unique challenges posed by lithium-ion battery fires.