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EMERGENCY
SAFETY ALERT
Regarding Lithium Battery Fires
The following is the text of an email message sent by the A.M.A.
Safety Committee to all A.M.A. members on April 23rd, 2004 concerning the
lithium battery hazard:
Lithium batteries are becoming
very popular for powering the control and power systems in our
models. This is true because of their very high energy density
(amp-hrs/wt. ratio) compared to NiCads or other batteries. With
high energy comes increased risk in their use. The, principal,
risk is FIRE which can result from improper charging, crash damage, or
shorting the batteries. All vendors of these batteries warn their
customers of this danger and recommend extreme caution in their
use. In spite of this many fires have occurred as a result of the
use of Lithium Polymer batteries, resulting in loss of models,
automobiles, and other property. Homes and garages and workshops
have also burned. A lithium battery fire is very hot (several
thousand degrees) and is an excellent initiator for ancillary
(resulting) fires. Fire occurs due to contact between Lithium and
oxygen in the air. It does not need any other source of ignition,
or fuel to start, and burns almost explosively.
These batteries must be used in
a manner that precludes ancillary fire. The following is
recommended:
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Store,
and charge, in a fireproof container; never in your model.
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Charge
in a protected area devoid of combustibles. Always stand watch
over the charging process. Never leave the charging process
unattended.
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In
the event of damage from crashes, etc, carefully remove to a safe
place for at least a half hour to observe. Physically damaged
cells could erupt into flame, and, after sufficient time to ensure
safety, should be discarded in accordance with the instructions
which came with the batteries. Never attempt to charge a cell
with physical damage, regardless of how slight.
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Always
use chargers designed for the specific purpose, preferably having a
fixed setting for your particular pack. Many fires occur in
using selectable/adjustable chargers improperly set. Never
attempt to charge Lithium cells with a charger which is not,
specifically, designed for charging Lithium cells. Never use
chargers designed for Nickel Cadmium batteries.
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Use
charging systems that monitor and control the charge state of each
cell in the pack. Unbalanced cells can lead to disaster if it
permits overcharge of a single cell in the pack. If the
batteries show any sign of swelling, discontinue charging, and
remove them to a safe place outside as they could erupt into flames.
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Most
important: NEVER PLUG IN A BATTERY AND LEAVE IT TO CHARGE UNATTENDED
OVERNIGHT. Serious fires have resulted from this practice.
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Do
not attempt to make your own battery packs from individual cells.
These batteries CANNOT be
handled and charged casually such as has been the practice for years
with other types of batteries. The consequence of this practice
can be very serious resulting in major property damage and/or personal
harm.
(signed)
Safety
Committee
Academy
of Model Aeronautics
5161
E Memorial Drive
Muncie,
IN 47302
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