Exposure, operation and protection in Li-battery fires – Battery Fire Project
Objectives
The aim of the project is
- to investigate the quantity and quality of exposure agents produced in Li-battery fires, as well as the health risks which they cause
- to determine concentrations and hazard distances for selected compounds released into the air in battery fires, using modelling
- to identify needs for protecting employees during battery fires and prepare operating instructions.
The target groups of the study include, among others, paramedics, police officers and other occupational groups working at fire sites, excluding the rescuers involved in extinguishing the fires.
The implementation of the research project has been divided into five (5) phases:
- Management, communication and reporting
- Literature survey
- Interviews with target organisations
- Dispersion modelling of exposure agents
- Development of operations models
Data and methods
The project will be based on a literature survey aimed at producing an overview of the exposure agents released in battery fires and their amounts, of battery fire situations that have occurred and of how those involved are protected. The interview study is used to expand on the background data and information provided by the target organisations, for example regarding battery fire preparedness and prevention.
The information obtained in the literature survey and the interview study will be used for generation of exposure scenarios. The scenarios serve as a basis for dispersion modelling. The modelling will combine several different methods and tools to provide an overview of the dispersion of chemical exposure agents in different exposure situations.
Based on the research data, we will develop operating models for operation in battery fires as well as for protecting those involved.
Results and impact
The results of the study are expected to improve the preparedness of workplaces for lithium-ion battery fires, which are increasingly probable due to the increased use of batteries, and thus to promote occupational safety in Finnish work life.
Contact us
Kirsi Jussila
Senior researcher, principal investigator and project manager
Maija Leppänen
Senior researcher, deputy project manager
Research Group
Partners
Implemented by: Finnish Meteorological Institute
Target organisations :
- Helsinki City Rescue Department
- North Karelia Rescue Department
- Meyer Turku Oy
- Valmet Automotive Oyj
- Ioncor Oy
Funding
The main funding for the research comes from the Finnish Work Environment Fund.
Additionally, the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, the Finnish Meteorological Institute and the target organisations participating in the research contribute to the funding.
