Experts urge caution as use of unstable lithium-ion batteries increases

Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) is urging residents not to overcharge lithium-ion batteries after a recent fire in Richmond destroyed two homes.

Emergency crews responded to multiple reports of a home engulfed in flames. On Pelham Crescent just before 2pm on February 17.

According to OFS spokesperson Nick DeFazio, before first responders arrived on the scene, the homeowner heard a popping sound coming from his garage.

“They opened the main garage door and saw smoke and flames on the wall,” he said.

Firefighters brought the fire under control by around 3:20 p.m., but not before it spread to a neighboring house and forced those residents to be displaced as well.

OFS later determined that the fire was caused by a lithium-ion drill battery that was charging on top of a refrigerator in the garage.

It was at least the second fire in Ottawa this year caused by such batteries. It happened for the first time in January when A curious dog was chewing on a ski glove Which was heated by the same type of battery.

Those incidents prompted OFS to issue a safety warning as battery fires become a growing concern.

Batteries ‘power everything’

OFS fire prevention officer Leanne Labby says there have been at least 60 fires involving lithium-ion batteries in Ottawa since 2022.

“Lithium-ion batteries power everything today,” he said. “They are the most common rechargeable batteries you’ll find in your home.”

To prove that point, Labbie gathered up all the items in his home powered by lithium-ion batteries, and in just 15 minutes filled a basket with laptops, electric toothbrushes — even salt and pepper shakers.

Although batteries can be found everywhere, consumers need to handle them with care due to their explosive content.

OFS warns that batteries should be unplugged as soon as they are fully charged, as overcharging can lead to an immediate explosion. When a battery starts hissing, expanding, or producing an unusual odor, it may be on the verge of catching fire.

Ontario Fire Marshal said this on social media on Friday Batteries should not be charged below freezingSuch as in a garage, as it may cause damage.

It’s like a trick birthday candle. When you blow on it, it restarts.– Leanne Labby, Ottawa Fire Services

According to Labby, lithium-ion battery fires produce 10 times more carbon monoxide than fires fueled by accelerators such as gasoline.

Laby says those fires are also difficult to extinguish with water because of the chemicals inside the batteries.

“It just needs to burn all its cells and expel itself,” he said. “It’s like a trick birthday candle. When you blow it out, it comes back on again.”

Increase in use of lithium-ion batteries

Unlike traditional alkaline batteries, lithium-ion batteries have a higher voltage which makes them more effective. However, the density of energy packed into batteries also makes them more vulnerable to explosion.

Yasser Abu-Lebedeh, who leads the battery materials innovation team at National Research Council Canada, says batteries are “at risk of overheating” when they are tampered with or overcharged.

“This will open the cells and toxic gases will start coming out,” he said. “It’s very hard to control, and the batteries will catch fire and explode.”

Abu-Lebedeh says this “thermal runaway” creates a self-fueling chain reaction that rapidly heats up to hundreds of degrees.

Although there is no safe version of lithium-ion batteries on the market yet, Abou-Lebedeh says alternatives with less flammable components are in development.

“There is always a new breakthrough in any given week,” he said. “It’s very close to commercialization and that’s all I can say.”