FOI 1790 - Lithium-Ion-Batteries

Please may you provide me with the following information by providing your answers to the questions below.

1.    Name of your Fire Brigade in full.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

2.    Email Address this FOI went to (to avoid any email reminders being sent) Warren.Hansford@Cheshirefire.gov.uk

3.    Does your fire brigade have a standard method of dealing with overheating Commercial & Industrial lithium-ion based batteries

YES

4. Does your fire brigade have a standard method of dealing with leaking Commercial & Industrial lithium-ion based batteries

YES

5. Does your fire brigade have a standard method of dealing with fires involving Commercial & Industrial lithium-ion based batteries

YES

6. If yes to any of the above, please could you expand on your standard process/methodology below, including any links/URL’s/documentation (please send as attachments)

Cheshire fire and rescue service have an internal standard operational procedure for lithium-ion batteries & battery facilities which encompasses both domestic and industrial settings. The policy consists of the significant hazards and operational considerations which covers thermal runaway, fire, and environmental considerations.

The information contained within the policy provides incident commanders with the tools to deal with incidents involving lithium-ion batteries and is intentionally generic to allow flexibility of approach in resolving an incident.

Lithium-ion battery technology is an emerging risk within the fire and rescue sector, as we learn more through national and international operational channels, I would expect more detailed operational tactics to be developed and deployed.

Unfortunately, we are unable to share our standard operating procedures externally at this time.