Britannia Fire, a global leader in the manufacture of composite fire extinguishers, has announced the launch of two new products designed to tackle lithium-ion battery fires: a 6-litre AVD fire extinguisher and an AVD fire blanket. The product development comes in response to a sharp increase in UK incidents over recent years involving lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, e-bikes and scooters, consumer electronics and communication systems.
The new Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion (AVD) fire extinguisher is the latest addition to Britannia Fire’s popular P50 range. All P50s are made from innovative, lightweight composite materials that resist corrosion and require minimal servicing. The P50 AVD contains a water-based extinguishing fluid mixed with vermiculite particles, specifically formulated for combatting lithium-ion battery fires. Vermiculite is a natural mineral which is safe for the user and the environment. When sprayed onto fire, the water acts as a cooling agent whilst the vermiculite forms an insulating layer, smothering the flames and preventing reignition.
As the ideal complement to the P50 AVD, Britannia Fire’s AVD fire blankets have been designed as the first barrier to help contain and control lithium-ion battery fires. Made from specialist high-silica glass fibres, with flame and heat-deflecting surface coatings and an oxidised base fabric, the blankets can be placed over a burning battery-powered device to help contain flames, block heat radiation and prevent the fire from spreading. The P50 AVD can then be discharged under the blanket edge to cool and extinguish the fire.
Andy Spence, Managing Director of Britannia Fire comments:
“It’s concerning that fires involving lithium-ion batteries are on the rise. These fires are by nature more explosive and intense than typical fires and can be particularly difficult to manage. Our new P50 AVD fire extinguisher and AVD fire blankets provide a powerful, complementary solution for tackling these fires. The blanket isolates and contains the incident, helping to prevent escalation, while the P50 AVD rapidly cools and suppresses the flames with precision and safety.”
Lithium-ion battery devices are now prevalent in many professional spaces and industries, as well as consumer households, meaning that demand for specific lithium-ion fire protection is growing. Andy Spence continues:
“Many of us rely on lithium-ion powered devices every day, both at home and at work, which is why having the right fire protection in the right places is essential. Our new AVD products are particularly suitable for areas with charging stations or clusters of e-battery devices, whether that’s car parks, warehouses, work spaces, bike storage areas or IT equipment rooms.”
As with all P50 extinguishers, the P50 AVD is environmentally-friendly and fully recyclable with a 20 year life span and a 10 year guarantee. Unlike traditional metal fire extinguishers, P50s don’t require costly annual servicing. Instead, simple checks can be carried out by a responsible person and record-keeping logged through the Britannia Fire App.
The AVD fire blankets come with handling loops for easy application and tethering and are available in three sizes: small for electronics such as laptops, mobile phones or two-way radios, medium for e-bikes or scooters, and large to suit electric cars.
For more information on Britannia Fire and its products, visit www.britannia-fire.co.uk or email sales@britannia-fire.co.uk.
About the Author
Britannia Fire
Britannia Fire Ltd are a UK Manufacturer of fire extinguishers, and with 55 years of experience, we are dedicated to designing and manufacturing the highest quality and standard of fire extinguishers to make fire safety simple, easy and affordable.
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