Safety Above All: Stay calm, clear the area, and handle the battery safely.
LiPo battery fires are rare, but they must always be taken seriously.
If a battery begins to smoke, swell, or ignite, it can produce intense heat and hazardous fumes very quickly.
Stay calm. Clear the area. Coaches take control and act decisively.
Focus on containment, distance, and safety, not saving the battery or robot.
Safety Above All. Brand and Bots Second. Always.
Know the Warning Signs, Clear the area
Battery Warning Signs
- Swelling or puffing
- Smoke or vapor
- Hissing sounds
- Rapid heating
- Sparks or flame
Keep Arena Area Clear
- Do not crowd the arena door before or after your match
- One driver per team (and a coach)
- Know where safety equipment is located
- Know where exits are located
Act immediately!
Protect Yourself & Contain the Battery
Batteries can reach hundreds of degrees–do NOT touch with your bare hands.
- Put on a silicone fire glove
- Grab long tongs
- Using tongs, remove the battery, with or without the robot and place into a vented metal container lined with sand.
Once the battery is contained, safely move the container outside. Then step back and keep the area clear.
The sand helps:
- Absorb heat
- Contain burning material
- Prevent the battery from spreading fire
- If Already on fire, go directly to step 3 with extinguisher.
Extinguish if Flaming
Use an Appropriate Extinguisher
- FireSense+ extinguishers are recommended
- Class D or or other AVD extinguishers work
- Standard (Class ABC) extinguishers are less effective but work
- Water is NOT recommended
- Aim at the base of the flame and extinguish until the fire is out.
Monitor & Ventilate
LiPo battery fires can reignite as they cool.
Let the can sit for at least 30 minutes.
After the fire, increase ventilation. Avoid breathing fumes.
Using safety equipment, verify that the fire is out and dispose of it according to local disposal rules.
Never:
- Place in regular trash
- Attempt to recharge
- Attempt to reuse in a robot