A leading distributor of electrical components, including lithium-ion batteries, faces unique safety challenges. While lithium-ion batteries are generally safe, they can emit toxic fumes if they catch fire. In the event of thermal runaway, a rapid and uncontrollable reaction can cause the fire to spread quickly, leading to a chain reaction that is difficult to contain. Unlike conventional fires, extinguishing a lithium-ion battery fire may require up to five times more water, making it a particularly complex hazard to manage.
The client required a state-of-the-art fire detection system to ensure safety in their facility, which stores lithium-ion batteries in multi-story bays within high, three-dimensional warehouses. With 400 bays in total, these enclosed spaces pose challenges for conventional fire detection technologies like beam detectors, video flame detection, and aspirating systems. Initially, the client considered installing low-cost smoke detectors in each bay, but they also sought a solution capable of detecting heat rise before thermal runaway occurs and before smoke is emitted, ensuring early intervention and minimising the risk of a fast-spreading fire.
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