Lithium-ion batteries, firefighters and PPE: New research underway

Quincy, MA — A newly funded research project will investigate how chemical exposures from lithium-ion battery fires affect firefighters’ personal protective equipment.

The project will be conducted by the Fire Protection Research Foundation, a research affiliate of the National Fire Protection Association. FPRF recently received a nearly $1.1 million grant to study the issue over the next three years. Researchers will work in conjunction with North Carolina State University, the Illinois Fire Service Institute, and Command and Control LLC.

The researchers will focus on procedures for ensuring PPE is effectively decontaminated to limit secondary chemical exposures. Their goal is to develop actionable guidelines for PPE decontamination and improved safety protocols.

“Lithium-ion battery fires pose unique challenges due to their intense heat, potential for explosions and release of toxic gases,” FPRF Executive Director Amanda Kimball said in a press release. “These incidents not only endanger firefighters but also the public, as these batteries are commonly found in consumer products and electric vehicles.”

The project will have two key phases. The first will address:

• Characterizing the contamination from lithium-ion battery fires.
• Employing a small-scale live burn apparatus for controlled contamination of PPE materials.
• Analyzing field-contaminated gear from fire departments.
• Evaluating the efficacy of standard and enhanced cleaning procedures.

During the second phase, the researchers will seek to “establish protocols for evaluating firefighter exposures through environmental and biological sampling, comparing controlled burns exposure with typical residential and battery fuel packages.”

The project is expected to be completed in September 2027. The groups plan to release their findings via technical reports, conferences, webinars and/or training sessions.