Johan van Peperzeel, Co-Founder of Battery Safety Solutions, provides us with his views on the risks surrounding EV batteries and how, if measures are put in place, these risks can be minimised.
On 23rd February, the KASSA program from BNN / VARA (national television) paid attention to the dangers of underground charging of electric vehicles. The program discusses EV car and safety issues such as fires.
At 5:40 mins into the program, Chris Muller from Vreugdenhil Berging demonstrates the specially developed transport container for electric vehicles. product by Battery Safety Solutions from Lelystad is shown.
Battery Safety Solutions (BSS) offers advice, on (fire) protection and the measures required in the use, transport, storage and recycling of lithium-ion batteries to companies and institutions worldwide. They look at safe design, the required safety management systems and provides training and instructions to employees.
BSS supplies containers and packaging for the safe transport and storage of electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries and has adequate extinguishing solutions for controlling lithium fires. The N-EXT fire extinguisher is suitable for use with lithium-ion battery burning. The purpose of this extinguishing agent in lithium-ion fires ensures fast cooling, which is the only way to stop a ‘thermal runaway’ of a lithium-ion fire. Available for compartments like; trucks, trailers, storage- and salvage containers (hard body) is also the Aerosol automatic firefighting system. Both extinguisher solutions are environmentally friendly products, and the KIWA certification report is available.
BSS has a 24/7 service in case of incidents with (lithium-ion) batteries and works together with Van Peperzeel from Lelystad, which has been the national sorting centre for batteries in the Netherlands for more than 25 years. If you have specific questions (about the working of the extinguishers) or would like more information, please email info@batterysafetysolutions.com.
Thermal runaway
Lithium-ion batteries are indispensable in cars, forklifts, laptops, electric bicycles and other utensils -This is not always without danger. The storage, transport and use of lithium batteries can entail considerable risks. Lithium-ion batteries can go into a “thermal runaway” due to a production error or damage. It is an irreversible process in which the battery will ignite, resulting in the release of toxic gases, flash flames and some explosions. Thermal runaway is, therefore, of great importance for fire safety. For example, in 2018, a major fire started in the Stella bicycle factory, which, in addition to causing significant damage to society, led to the toxic gases that were released.
Due to the increase in the number of incidents involving lithium-ion batteries, insurers are increasing premiums and asking companies to take adequate security measures. There are currently very few specific laws and regulations for the safe handling of lithium-ion batteries. The new (Dutch) PGS-37 directive on the dangers and safe storage of lithium-ion batteries is coming and is expected to come into force in end-2020.
About Battery Safety Solutions
Battery Safety Solutions is a young, dynamic company and is an initiative of three parties together with more than 65 years of knowledge and experience in the collection, sorting and processing of batteries, waste processing, energy and service.
An overview of the services provided:
- 24-hour pick-up service in co-operation with our European partners and suppliers
- Dedicated equipment and transport according to ADR, (GPS tracking possible) and UN approved packaging material
- Expert in sorting and logistics
- Training in safe handling
- Training in regular compliance
- Consultancy concerning safe transportation, storage and packaging
- Extinguisher solutions for Li-ion batteries or products with Li-ion batteries like EV cars and E-bikes.
In compliance with the European and national law, European and national standards and legislation, Battery Safety Solutions offer:
- Complete discharging with 100% energy recovery
- Van Peperzeel company is ISO 9001 and ISO 14.000 certified.
- At this moment we are developing a recycling process which has a recycling efficiency of a minimum of 85%. This new process is based on deep discharging, followed by shredding and separation of the metals and other materials. By the end of 2020, this process should be up and running.
