PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-588
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 588
NOVEMBER 2001
PS 588
53
PS 588
NOV 01
52
How to Handle Lithium Batteries
Dear Mr. C.G.,
Lithium-sulfur dioxide batteries like
the BA-5590/U contain pressurized
poisonous sulfur dioxide gas.
Here’s how to handle them properly:
•
Keep batteries in their original packaging until you’re ready to use them.
•
During operation, if the battery compartment is hot to the touch, hisses, makes
a burping sound, or if you smell gas, turn off the equipment and let it cool for at
least an hour. Keep everyone away from the area.
•
Never short-circuit,
crush,
puncture or incinerate batteries.
•
Never use batteries that are
swollen, or that won’t fit easily
into the battery compartment.
•
Never use batteries if there is
liquid in the plastic storage wrap
or if they’ve bulged or burst.
•
Never attempt to charge a primary lithium-sulfur dioxide battery.
•
If you test lithium batteries for capacity, use an approved test set. If you suspect
bad batteries, try substituting good ones.
If there is more than one prime
power lithium battery in the equip-
ment, and you find a bad one, replace
all of them. Use batteries from the
same manufacturer and with the same
date code, if possible. Mixing batteries
can lead to violent venting.
•
When you aren’t planning to use your equipment for 30 days or
longer, take the batteries out to prevent battery corrosion.
•
Never use a Halon fire extinguish-
er on a lithium battery fire. In the
event of a lithium fire, evacuate the
area immediately and call for the
assistance of trained fire fighters.
•
Never store batteries near heat,
flame or other hazardous materials.
•
Never smoke or use an open flame
in a battery storage area.
Dear MSG Half-Mast,
We recently had a lithium battery explode and catch fire.
Here’s how it happened…
Eight lithium batteries
were disposed of in a
trash heap without being
properly discharged.
A loader, scooping up the trash,
ran over one of the batteries. The
battery exploded, caught fire and
released toxic fumes.
We put the fire out with no harm done
and in the cleanup process, found the
other seven batteries, none of which
had been properly discharged.
Will you please put out the
word-again-on how to correctly
handle, discharge and dispose of
lithium batteries?
CW3 C.G.
lithium
batteries
must
not
be
abused in any
way that would
cause them to
rupture!
right
idea,
wrong
tactic.
different
manufacturers,
different date
codes.
588. 52-55 (C)
9/30/01
5:33 PM
Page 1
Back to TopBack to Top
