Presenter warns of lithium-battery fire risks; explains extinguisher types, recalls and safe storage

Rob Rupert, a certified safety professional and wildland and structural firefighter, told attendees that lithium-based batteries in phones, scooters, laptops and electric vehicles pose unique fire hazards and that many common extinguishing agents are ineffective or can worsen certain battery fires.

Rupert described thermal runaway — a process where a damaged or overheated lithium cell rapidly fails and can re-ignite hours or days after initial suppression — and cited local incidents including a multi-million-dollar fire loss from an electric scooter charged in low temperatures. He said some lithium chemistries such as lithium iron phosphate (LFP/LiFePO4) are less prone to rapid failure, but still carry risk.

On extinguishers, Rupert outlined the standard fire…