Investigating PPE Decontamination in Lithium-ion Battery Fires
The Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF), the research affiliate of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), has received a $1.06 million grant from FEMA to investigate the impact of lithium-ion battery fires on firefighters. Led by FPRF, along with North Carolina State University, the Illinois Fire Service Institute, and Command and Control, LLC, the three-year study will focus on the harmful chemical exposures faced by firefighters and the effectiveness of decontamination procedures for their personal protective equipment (PPE).
Lithium-ion battery fires pose significant risks due to intense heat, potential for explosions, and the release of toxic gases. This research is particularly crucial given the recent classification of firefighting as a known human carcinogen.
The project will involve two main phases:
Characterizing contamination from battery fires by analyzing field-contaminated gear and evaluating cleaning procedures.
Establishing protocols for evaluating firefighter exposures through environmental and biological sampling.
The findings of this study will be disseminated to the fire service through various channels, including technical reports, conferences, and training sessions. The ultimate goal is to develop actionable guidelines for PPE decontamination and improve safety protocols for firefighters responding to lithium-ion battery fires.
