Lithium-Ion Battery Incident Response Kit – MGN 681

The Lithium-Ion Battery Incident Response Kit is a customized safety solution tailored to the lithium-ion risks on board the specific yacht.

The kit consists of several safety layers designed to firefighting, containment, and personal protection.

For portable firefighting, the following are used: Liiontek Lithium-Ion Fire Extinguishers applied. These make use of Hydrogel BM048 and are designed for fires involving lithium-ion batteries. The extinguishing agent provides intensive cooling and helps reduce the risk of further escalation and reignition.

Depending on the risk analysis and the types of batteries present, appropriate Li-Fire fire blankets or containment solutions be included.

For personal protection, the kit can be supplemented with appropriate PPE for responding to lithium-ion incidents. Examples include the LithiumSafe™ Li-ion Gloves and adequate protection against smoke and harmful gases.

The exact composition is tailored to, among other things, the type of yacht, the lithium-ion batteries on board, battery capacities, storage and charging locations, and onboard emergency procedures.

The Lithium-Ion Battery Incident Response Kit brings together various response tools, each of which serves a specific function during a lithium-ion battery incident.

1. Protect

Before crew members carry out an intervention, they must assess their personal safety. Appropriate PPE helps provide protection against, among other things, heat and other hazards that may arise during a battery incident.

The LithiumSafe™ Li-ion Gloves provide professional heat protection for handling overheated, smoking, or damaged lithium-ion batteries when the situation and safety procedures permit.

Where exposure to hazardous fumes and gases is possible, appropriate respiratory protection must be available in accordance with applicable procedures and the risk assessment.

2. Extinguish and cool

When it is safe to intervene, the Liiontek Lithium-Ion Fire Extinguishers are deployed.

The method used Hydrogel BM048 is designed for effective fire suppression and intensive cooling of the battery. That cooling is particularly important for lithium-ion batteries, because during thermal runaway Large amounts of heat can be released.

3. Containment

Fire blankets and other containment solutions can be used to further manage the consequences of the incident.

Appropriate Li-Fire Fire Blankets help contain the fire, heat, and smoke around the incident and prevent them from spreading further into the surrounding area.

Which intervention measures are used and in what order always depends on the type of incident, the batteries on board, and the emergency procedures.

The Lithium-Ion Battery Incident Response Kit was developed for yachts and other maritime applications where multiple lithium-ion batteries and battery-powered devices are present.

The exact composition and placement of the kit must be tailored to the risks involved, the layout of the yacht, and the applicable safety and emergency procedures.

Support for MGN 681 (M) Amendment 1

The Lithium-Ion Battery Incident Response Kit has been compiled to assist yacht owners, operators, and crews with the safety measures related to lithium-ion batteries as described in MGN 681 (M) Amendment 1.

Section 8 of this directive addresses various aspects of Fire Suppression and incident response.

Portable Fire Extinguishers – Section 8.5

MGN 681 focuses on suitable and readily accessible portable fire extinguishers at locations where lithium-ion batteries are present.

For the firefighting component of the kit, the following are required: Liiontek Lithium-Ion Fire Extinguishers applied.

For larger battery applications, including battery-powered tenders and vehicles, the number and capacity of fire extinguishers must be determined by taking into account the battery risks involved and the applicable requirements and recommendations.

Fire Blankets and Containment – Section 8.6

Also fire blankets and containment solutions are an important part of incident response.

Depending on the battery applications available, the kit can be combined with suitable Li-Fire fire blankets and containment products.

Factors such as heat transfer and the generation of smoke and gases during a lithium-ion battery incident must be taken into account.

Personal Protective Equipment – Section 8.8

Crew members must have appropriate personal protective equipment for the risks that may arise from the battery systems in use.

In addition, the properties of the battery electrolyte and the relevant Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

The Lithium-Ion Battery Incident Response Kit can be customized for this purpose with appropriate PPE, including heat-resistant LithiumSafe™ Li-ion Gloves.

Respiratory Protection – Section 8.13

Lithium-ion battery incidents can release harmful smoke and gases.

MGN 681 therefore also focuses on suitable respiratory protection, including Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), for crew members who must operate under such conditions.

The required respiratory protection must be tailored to the risk assessment, crew, emergency procedures, and existing safety equipment on board.

The kit can be tailored to the specific battery risks on board and is relevant for, among other things: