Fire-proof case to transport lithium-ion batteries safely

The automotive industry is increasing the use of lithium-ion batteries in response to the current electric car trend. Likewise, such batteries are a central component in e-bikes and a desirable feature of many modern power tools. This is principally due to the fact that they are relatively lightweight and provide maximum performance, so they are common in drills, electric garden appliances and other tools.

However, lithium-ion batteries are considered dangerous goods and are only allowed to be transported in secure containers because the battery may be damaged by improper handling, and in the worst case, a damaged battery may cause a fire. Retailers of these products are now faced with the challenge of safely storing defective batteries or securely sending them back to the manufacturer – without allowing the damaged battery to ignite.

Fireproof padding and absorbent material prohibits fire spread
Usually, an alert is raised if smoke is seen escaping from a package holding a battery. However, the ZARGES K470 Battery Box case avoids this from happening. The new dangerous goods packaging is specially designed for transporting and storing a defective or damaged battery in a safe and convenient way. The interior of the case is coated with an intumescent material. In case of fire, the case's interior swells up and prevents the flames from spreading further. The underlying principle: the special absorbent material ensures that solid components are filtered out of the battery gases and that liquid constituents condense on the fibres’ surface. This is how ZARGES’ aluminium cases prevent any leaked flammable gases from igniting.

“In an emergency, a dangerous goods case must be able to absorb the energy released from a fire,” explained ZARGES Product Manager, Michael Blum. Therefore, the ZARGES case was subject to a fire test with very strict criteria: the container's surface must not exceed a temperature of 100°C. “The ZARGES K470 Battery Box case’s proven safety in event of a fire offers a solution to all manufacturers and retailers needing to transport lithium-ion batteries safely,” said Blum.

Further details about the K470 Battery Box:

• Low weight of 11.5kg
• Interior dimensions: 550x550x220mm
• Cushioning: low thermal conductivity, non-flammable, and non-conductive electrically
• Fulfils all provisions of the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road
• Highly stable, easy to load and unload.