Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers Are Out! Is This The Ultimate Nemesis Of Lithium Battery Fires?
Publish Time: 2025-09-24
With the rapid development of new energy technologies, lithium batteries, due to their high energy density and long lifespan, are widely used in electric bicycles, energy storage power stations, and other fields. However, the risk of thermal runaway in lithium batteries is like a "Sword of Damocles." Once a fire occurs, its rapid spread and re-ignition often pose a significant threat to life and property. Against this backdrop, lithium battery fire extinguishing devices have emerged as an indispensable safety barrier in scenarios such as electric bicycle sheds and energy storage systems.I. Lithium Battery Fires: An In-Depth Analysis of High-Risk CharacteristicsThe unique nature of lithium battery fires lies in their "chain reaction" mechanism. When a short circuit or overheating occurs within the battery, the electrolyte decomposes, producing large amounts of flammable gases (such as hydrogen and carbon monoxide) and simultaneously releasing enormous heat, causing the fire to progress from smoking to deflagration within a dozen seconds. Traditional fire-fighting methods, such as dry powder and water cannons, are often ineffective because they cannot penetrate the battery casing to suppress the internal reactions. For example, in a 2025 fire at an electric vehicle shed in Beijing, dry powder fire extinguishers could only slow the spread of the flames, while water cannons could even cause a secondary explosion due to a short circuit.Another major challenge with lithium battery fires is the risk of rekindling. Even after the open flame is extinguished, residual heat within the battery can still spark a second fire. In energy storage power plants, a fire in a single battery module can ignite adjacent modules through heat conduction, resulting in a cascading fire. Therefore, lithium battery fire extinguishing systems must possess the dual capabilities of "rapid extinguishing" and "long-term suppression."II. Technological Breakthrough: From Passive Response to Active Defense1. Intelligent Monitoring: 70°C Thermal Trigger and Multi-Level Early WarningModern lithium battery fire extinguishing systems incorporate highly sensitive sensors to create a three-dimensional "temperature-smoke-gas" monitoring network. When the battery temperature rises to 70°C or smoke/combustible gas is detected, the system immediately activates an audible and visual alarm and notifies security personnel to cut off power. For example, the Guofu Technology TP904YW system is equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen that displays the risk level in real time, enabling "one-click management."2. High-Efficiency Fire Extinguishing: UPA Aerogel and Composite InhibitorsFor lithium battery fires, new fire extinguishing agents must simultaneously meet the three key requirements of "penetrating the battery, absorbing heat and reducing the temperature, and suppressing re-ignition." UPA aerogel fire extinguishing agents can extinguish flames within 6-15 seconds and reduce the battery temperature to a safe level within 30 seconds. Its micron-sized particles penetrate deep into the battery, interrupting the chain reaction. Furthermore, composite inhibitors (such as FKF-M material) form an insulating layer on the battery surface, preventing re-ignition within 72 hours.3. Zoning Protection: Precision Strike and Resource OptimizationIn large-scale energy storage power stations or electric vehicle sheds, fire extinguishing systems employ a "zoning control" strategy. Each battery module or charging space is equipped with its own sprinkler. When the temperature in a particular area exceeds the specified limit, only the corresponding zone is activated, preventing system-wide malfunction. For example, the C602YW system deployed in residential areas in Huaxiang, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, covers 80 parking spaces through four independent systems, reducing fire risk by 90%.III. Application Scenario: A Comprehensive Safety Solution1. Electric Bicycle Sheds: A Community Defense Line with Second-Level ResponseIn community electric bicycle sheds, lithium battery fire extinguishing systems must balance rapid fire extinguishing with low-cost retrofitting. Shanghai Lianjie Safety Technology has developed a standalone automatic fire extinguishing system that uses thermal imaging and cable-type temperature sensing to extinguish open flames within 8 seconds, using only 1/8 the water of traditional sprinklers. This system can be connected to the tap water network, eliminating the need for ground excavation, resulting in low retrofit costs. It also comes with product liability insurance, covering losses caused by equipment failure.2. Energy Storage Power Stations: Multi-Level, Industrial-Grade ProtectionIn energy storage power stations, lithium battery fire extinguishing systems must be deeply integrated with the BMS (Battery Management System). For example, a 200kWh prefabricated cabin energy storage system uses a dual-medium solution consisting of a gas fire extinguishing agent and a re-ignition suppressant. The design fire extinguishing concentration is 9%, and the re-ignition suppressant has an electrical insulation rating of ≥5kV. The system has passed electromagnetic compatibility testing and can operate stably in environments ranging from -10°C to 50°C, with a response time of ≤1 second.3. New Energy Vehicles: Mobile Safety Cabins with Invisible ProtectionFor electric vehicles, lithium battery fire extinguishing devices must adapt to confined spaces and vibration environments. The temperature-sensing automatic fire extinguishing module developed by the Power Grid Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Laboratory can extinguish electric vehicle battery fires within 1 second and energy storage device fires within 2 seconds. The device has received CE certification and is undergoing demonstration application on a large electric bus.IV. Real-World Case Study: Safety Upgrades from Pilot to PopularizationCase 1: Beijing Metro Home Community - A Benchmark in Smart ManagementThe TP904YW intelligent zoned fire extinguishing system deployed in this community covers an area of 96 square meters (approximately 40 parking spaces). Remotely monitored via an IoT platform, the system's historical data shows a 98% fire warning accuracy rate and a 60% improvement in fire extinguishing efficiency compared to traditional methods. Residents commented, "I used to worry about fires caused by charging stations in the hallway, but now seeing the spray system automatically activate makes me feel much more at ease."Case 2: Dam Science and Technology Park – A Model of Low-Cost RenovationDaba Science and Technology Park in Xinbei District, Changzhou, uses a stand-alone system from Lianjie Safety Technology. It occupies only 2 square meters and can be operated simply by connecting to the tap water network. During a fire drill in May 2025, the system extinguished a simulated fire in 8 seconds, with no re-ignition. The park manager said, "With 150 employees relying on electric vehicles for commuting, safety management used to be a huge burden. Now we can finally sleep peacefully."V. Future Outlook: Technological Iteration and Standard ImprovementWith the upgrading of regulations such as the Beijing Fire Protection Regulations, lithium battery fire extinguishing devices are transitioning from an "optional feature" to a "mandatory standard." Future technological development will focus on three key areas:Material Innovation: Developing more effective re-ignition suppressants to reduce fire extinguishing time to under 2 seconds;Intelligent Integration: Using AI algorithms to predict fire risks and proactively intervene in thermal runaway events;Standard Harmonization: Promoting international certification of fire extinguishing agents for environmental performance and equipment lifespan.Safety is paramount; technology builds a defense lineThe widespread adoption of lithium battery fire extinguishing devices reflects not only technological progress but also a growing awareness of safety in society. From community carports to energy storage power stations, from electric vehicles to industrial equipment, this "invisible firewall" is redefining safety standards in the new energy era with its ability to respond in seconds and deliver precise strikes. As one fire expert put it, "The best fire extinguishing method is to prevent it from ever happening." Lithium battery fire extinguishing devices are a key step toward this goal.
