Safety Flash
Lithium batteries: Fire following the failure of a helicopter start power unit
Lithium batteries: Fire following the failure of a helicopter start power unit
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 25/19
- Electrical SafetyEmergency ResponseHelicopter and AviationHot Work and Fire
- Electrical safetyFire
- Emergency responseEvacuation, escape and rescueFire protectionPre-use checks
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
A vessel’s helicopter administration office filled with smoke from a lithium-battery start power unit connected to a charger. Crew mustered and response teams removed and cooled the equipment without injuries. Charger component failure was suspected. Lessons emphasise checking serviceability and not leaving lithium-battery devices unattended whilst charging.
Classifications: Electrical safety; electrical hazards.
Classifications: Fire; fire safety.
Classifications: Emergency response; emergency preparedness.
Classifications: Evacuation, escape and rescue; EER; escape and rescue.
Classifications: Fire protection; fire suppression; fire detection.
Classifications: Pre-use checks; pre-use inspection.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
The vessel fire alarm panel indicated an activated smoke detector in the Heli admin office. Upon investigation, crew found the Heli admin office to be filled with smoke; they proceeded to raise the alarm immediately and inform the Bridge.
IMCA SF 25/19. Themes: electrical safety, emergency response, helicopter and aviation, hot work and fire.