{"operation":"document","citation":"ERG 2024 Guide 147","title":"Guide 147: Lithium Ion and Sodium Ion Batteries","source_type":"guidance","agency":"U.S. DOT / Transport Canada / SICT","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2024-04-04","effective_on":null,"summary":"ERG2024 response Guide 147: Lithium Ion and Sodium Ion Batteries.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-147.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-147.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-erg-2024-guide-147","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/erg/guide?number=147","body":"GUIDE\n147\nLithium Ion and Sodium Ion Batteries\nPOTENTIAL HAZARDS\nFIRE OR EXPLOSION\n•\nLithium ion and sodium ion batteries contain flammable liquid electrolyte that may vent, ignite and\nproduce sparks when subjected to high temperatures (> 150°C (302°F)), when damaged or abused (e.g.,\nmechanical damage or electrical overcharging).\n•\nMay burn rapidly with flare-burning effect.\n•\nMay ignite other batteries in close proximity.\n•\n•\n•\n•\nHEALTH\nContact with battery electrolyte may be irritating to skin, eyes and mucous membranes.\nFire will produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases.\nBurning batteries may produce toxic hydrogen fluoride gas (see GUIDE 125).\nFumes may cause dizziness or asphyxiation.\nPUBLIC SAFETY\nCALL 911. Then call emergency response telephone number on shipping paper. If shipping paper\nnot available or no answer, refer to appropriate telephone number listed on the inside back cover.\nKeep unauthorized personnel away.\nStay upwind, uphill and/or upstream.\nVentilate closed spaces before entering, but only if properly trained and equipped.\n•\n•\n•\n•\nPROTECTIVE CLOTHING\n•\nWear positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).\n•\nStructural firefighters' protective clothing provides thermal protection but only limited chemical protection.\nEVACUATION\nImmediate precautionary measure\n•\nIsolate spill or leak area for at least 25 meters (75 feet) in all directions.\nSpill\n•\nIncrease the immediate precautionary measure distance, in the downwind direction, as necessary.\nFire\n•\nIf rail car or trailer is involved in a fire, ISOLATE for 500 meters (1/3 mile) in all directions; also initiate\nevacuation including emergency responders for 500 meters (1/3 mile) in all directions.\nPage 224\nERG 2024\n\nLithium Ion and Sodium Ion Batteries\nGUIDE\n147\nEMERGENCY RESPONSE\nFIRE\n•\nA lithium ion or sodium ion battery fire may reignite at any point after the initial fire is extinguished, up to\nweeks later.\n•\nUse thermal imaging, if available, to continuously monitor the battery.\n•\nReignition can be accompanied by off-gassing of white smoke or electrical arcs or sparks that reignite\nwith visible flames or fire.\nCAUTION: The use of salt water for firefighting is not recommended since it may increase production of\nhydrogen and hydrogen fluoride gas.\nVehicle Fire\n•\nIf battery is not connected to a vehicle, see “Small Fire or Fire Involving Small Battery” below.\n•\nCheck manufacturer’s specific emergency response guide before attempting to disable vehicle.\n•\nTurn off the ignition and disconnect the 12-volt battery if it can be done safely.\n•\nNever cut the high voltage (HV) or medium voltage (MV) cabling.\n•\nNever touch damaged or submerged HV or MV cables or components.\n•\nIf available, use large amount of water to extinguish or suppress a high-voltage battery fire. Using small\namount of water could release toxic gases.\n•\nIf possible, spray water directly onto battery.\n•\nDO NOT pierce, cut, pry, or dismantle any of the vehicle's structure to access the battery. Contact with a\nhigh voltage component may cause an electric shock.\nSmall Fire or Fire Involving Small Battery (e.g., personal electronic devices, e-bike, etc.)\n•\n•\nWater spray only (large amounts); do not use dry chemical, CO2 or Halon®.\nLarge Fire or Fire Involving Large Battery or Multiple Small Batteries\nAllow battery fire to burn itself out and protect surroundings.\n•\nSafely remove undamaged containers from area.\n•\nApply water spray to neighboring batteries to reduce the spread of the hazard.\nSPILL OR LEAK\n•\nELIMINATE all ignition sources (no smoking, flares, sparks or flames) from immediate area.\n•\nDo not touch or walk through spilled material.\n•\nAbsorb with earth, sand or other non-combustible material.\n•\nLeaking batteries and contaminated absorbent material should be placed in metal containers.\nFIRST AID\nRefer to the “General First Aid” section.\nERG 2024\nPage 225","truncated":false,"body_characters":3880}