Lithium Batteries
Lithium Batteries
Lithium batteries have provoked considerable concern over recent years not least due to the following incidents:
• February 7, 2006: UPS DC-8, Philadelphia – aircraft landed safely, but was destroyed by fire which had started in the descent.
• September 3, 2010: UPS Boeing 747, Dubai – the aircraft crashed during an attempt to return to Dubai due to a severe in-flight fire; both crew members were killed.
• July 27, 2011: Asiana Boeing 747, 130 km west of Jeju Airport, South Korea – the aircraft crashed into the sea following a severe in-flight fire; both crew-members were killed.
It is known that all three aircraft were carrying lithium batteries as cargo, some of which on the UPS Boeing 747 were subsequently determined to have not complied with the regulatory requirements. However, the degree to which the lithium batteries were involved in these incidents (i.e., whether they were the cause or aggravated the fire) could not be determined.
Definitions
Lithium Battery – The term “lithium battery” refers to a family of batteries with different chemistries, comprising many types of cathodes and electrolytes. For the purposes of the DGR they are separated into:
Lithium metal batteries. Are generally primary (non-rechargeable) batteries that have lithium metal or lithium compounds as an anode. Lithium metal batteries are generally used to power devices such as watches, calculators, cameras, temperature data loggers.
Note: As of 1 January 2015 lithium metal batteries packed by themselves (not contained in or packed with equipment) are forbidden for transport as cargo on passenger aircraft)
Lithium-ion batteries (sometimes abbreviated Li-ion batteries) are a type of secondary (rechargeable) battery commonly used in consumer electronics.
Also included within the category of lithium-ion batteries are lithium polymer batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are generally found in mobile telephones, laptop computers, etc.
The Dangerous Goods Regulations cover shipments of such batteries on their own, contained in equipment or packed with equipment.
This battery hazard classification guidance document describes how these are treated.
As you can see this has become a complex subject. Carramore’s trained staff are fully competent to determine the correct method of packing, documenting and shipping such batteries.