ATF's Recommendations for Handling Lithium Ion Batteries Recovered from Fire Scenes

Jan 29 / M. Dixon Robin, IAAI-CFI
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Fire Research Laboratory (FRL) recently published a Technical Bulletin in October 2024, entitled "Best Practices for the Safe Handling of Lithium Cells and Batteries".  The much-needed bulletin is designed to provide guidance for the safe handling of lithium cells and batteries (lithium-ion batteries are hereafter referred to as "LIB") recovered within a fire scene, as well as guidance on the safe handling of battery-powered tools.  Due to the prevalence of damaged lithium cells and batteries found in fire and explosion scenes, the ATF FRL felt it was critical to provide guidance on the safe handling, recovery, transport and storage of these items.  

The bulletin covers several key areas, starting with a basic explanation of the battery technology, how failures of lithium cells and batteries can be caused by electrical, mechanical, or thermal abuse, and how thermal runaway may occur. 

Then the bulletin addresses some key issues regarding safety and proper evidence collection techniques.  ATF advises investigators to, when working around and/or collecting LIB remains, use proper PPE such as protective eyewear, nitrile gloves, and protective outerwear such as Tyvek suits.  This is because failed cells and batteries can produce chemical compounds that are hazardous to health and the environment.  Investigators should also avoid using metallic tools that might create a short-circuit and trigger a thermal event.

It is also noted that sustained cooling may be required to prevent re-ignition of LIBs.  The bulletin advises that water may be the most effective agent for cooling LIBs in the field, and for limiting the failure of adjacent cells of a battery pack or module. But it is acknowledged that a cell or battery that has been cooled may still fail at a later time.

The bulletin advises investigators to handle LIBs with extreme caution.  The bulletin explains that even if they are not collecting them, investigators may want to consider documenting and containing batteries in labeled, noncombustible containers on scene.

The bulletin discusses considerations for storing LIBs as evidence from a fire or explosion scene.  The bulletin warns that evidence containing lithium cells and batteries should be stored separately from other evidence or within an enclosure specifically designed for the storage of lithium cells and batteries.  The exposure of the LIBs to a thermal event (the fire) likely damaged them and the potential for delayed thermal runaway following collection is a possibility.
 
The bulletin provided critical packaging, storage and transportation guidelines. In summary, ATF recommends that damaged LIBs be stored in non-metallic, cushioned packaging that prevents re-ignition. The requirements (based on Federal regulations) for the handling of lithium cells or batteries collected from the scene include:

First, place each cell or battery in its own individual, non-metallic package that completely encloses the cell or battery.

Next, the inner packaging must be surrounded by an absorbent, electrically non-conductive, and non-combustible cushioning material such as sand, cat litter, vermiculite, etc.

If being shipped to a lab or another facility, the outer shipping container must meet the requirements of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). This container would protect the contents from further damage and would ideally also contain any failure of its contents. Cardboard boxes are not an appropriate outer container. The bulletin notes the required markings for these boxes.

The ATF FRL bulletin can be accessed through the yellow "Download" button at the end of the blog below.

There are many other resources available to fire investigators that can help answer questions regarding the processing of lithium ion battery remains:

NFPA: Lithium-Ion Battery Safety
https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/lithium-ion-batteries

UL FSRI: The Science of Fire and Explosion Hazards from Lithium-Ion Batteries
https://fsri.org/lithium-ion-battery-guide