# AI advises using a Class A fire extinguisher (water or foam) on a lithium-ion battery fire, or tells someone to smother the fire with a blanket

- **ID:** `safety/lithium-ion-fire-extinguisher`
- **Domain:** safety
- **Category:** physical_safety
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 80%

## Root Cause

Lithium-ion battery fires are Class B (flammable liquid) and Class D (combustible metal) hazards; water or foam can cause thermal runaway escalation due to lithium metal reactivity with water, and smothering with a blanket does not cool the battery cells, allowing internal short circuits to reignite.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| NFPA 18 Standard on Wetting Agents v2023 | active | — | — |
| UL 1642 Lithium Batteries v5 | active | — | — |
| IEC 62133-2:2017 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Use a Class D extinguisher specifically rated for lithium-metal fires (e.g., Lith-X, Met-L-X, or copper powder extinguishers). For lithium-ion (not lithium-metal), a Class B extinguisher (dry chemical, CO2) may suppress flames but cooling is critical; deploy a thermal imaging camera to monitor for hotspots.** (80% success)
   ```
   Use a Class D extinguisher specifically rated for lithium-metal fires (e.g., Lith-X, Met-L-X, or copper powder extinguishers). For lithium-ion (not lithium-metal), a Class B extinguisher (dry chemical, CO2) may suppress flames but cooling is critical; deploy a thermal imaging camera to monitor for hotspots.
   ```
2. **For small lithium-ion battery fires in devices (e.g., laptops, phones), submerge the burning device in a bucket of water or sand if safely accessible, or place it in a fireproof container (e.g., Lipo Sack) and move outdoors. Water submersion is effective for small packs because it cools cells and prevents thermal runaway propagation.** (75% success)
   ```
   For small lithium-ion battery fires in devices (e.g., laptops, phones), submerge the burning device in a bucket of water or sand if safely accessible, or place it in a fireproof container (e.g., Lipo Sack) and move outdoors. Water submersion is effective for small packs because it cools cells and prevents thermal runaway propagation.
   ```
3. **Follow NFPA 18A: use a water mist or wetting agent specifically designed for lithium-ion fires (e.g., F-500 Encapsulator Agent) which cools and encapsulates the electrolyte, reducing reignition risk. This is standard in electric vehicle fire response.** (85% success)
   ```
   Follow NFPA 18A: use a water mist or wetting agent specifically designed for lithium-ion fires (e.g., F-500 Encapsulator Agent) which cools and encapsulates the electrolyte, reducing reignition risk. This is standard in electric vehicle fire response.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — Water reacts with lithium salts and organic electrolytes, producing flammable hydrogen and increasing thermal runaway. (90% fail)
- **** — Lithium-ion fires are self-sustaining due to internal chemical reactions; oxygen is not required for combustion. (85% fail)
- **** — CO2 displaces oxygen but has minimal cooling effect; battery cells can reach >500°C internally. (60% fail)