Lithium battery failure can be caused by the following:

Physical impact or penetration
Overheating
Short circuits
Internal cell failure
Manufacturing defects

With the rise in technology that uses lithium batteries, comes the added risk of lithium battery fires. How prepared are you for a lithium battery fire? And are lithium batteries dangerous?

The consequences of lithium battery fires are severe, so having the right precautions in place is critical. AVDfire offers a unique solution that can be used across a range of applications to effectively tackle the blaze.

What is AVD made of?

AVD is an aqueous dispersion of chemically exfoliated vermiculite. It is applied to lithium battery fires as a mist, extinguishing them and preventing the propagation of the fire.

Vermiculite is the name given to a group of hydrated laminar aluminium-iron-magnesium silicates. It consists of thin, flat flakes containing microscopic layers of water. The chemical exfoliation of vermiculite produces microscopic, individual platelets that are freely suspended in water. This yields a stable aqueous dispersion of vermiculite to be used as a lithium battery fire extinguishing agent.

Is AVD environmentally safe?

Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that is exempt from REACH regulations. It is chemically and physically inert, only releasing steam when exposed to raised temperatures. It is also non-toxic to humans, plant life and animals.

How does AVD work?

The vermiculite particles within the mist are deposited on the surface of the burning fuel to create a film over the top of the fire. The film instantly dries and, because the high aspect ratio platelet particles overlap and bind together, a non-flammable oxygen barrier between the fuel and the atmosphere is produced.

This process has a cooling effect on the fuel source and, as the water content in AVD is evaporated, the vermiculite platelets begin to build up and the fire is brought under control.

When lithium-ion batteries are exposed to heat, physical/impact damage or overcharging, they go into thermal runaway.
The cells are sufficiently swollen, releasing hot flammable gases (hydrocarbons) that are formed as the electrolyte dissociates.
The hydrocarbons burn vigorously at high temperatures and rapidly spread the fire to the surrounding cells and flammable materials.
AVD is applied as a fine mist, which instantly cools the batteries and extinguishes the flames.
AVD encapsulates the fuel source and insulates the cells, preventing further propagation of thermal runaway – bringing the fire under control.

Want to See AVD in Action?

Our videos show the AVD agent with lithium battery and magnesium fires.

What are the benefits of AVD?

The AVD lithium battery fire protection agent is a unique product that provides a solution to an otherwise unsolved problem. AVD’s exceptional performance includes the following:

Water content cools the fire source
Vermiculite platelets encapsulate the fuel source creating an oxygen barrier
The vermiculite film is not electrically conductive
AVD is nearly twice as effective as water on a class A fires
AVD can be applied as a fire break to prevent the propagation of fire
AVD can be deployed using standard fire-fighting equipment
AVD is environmentally friendly

AVD Testing

AVD has been third-party performance tested against a set of battery fire criteria and certified at ZSW in Germany (see our downloads for the relevant document and information). We have tested AVD using the following application methods:

Portable extinguisher bottles
Backpack extinguishers
Trolley-based extinguishers
Fixed installations

We have also completed several trials on lithium-ion and lithium polymer batteries. The following table demonstrates the AVD testing that has been carried out to date:

Battery Type	Chemistry	Description
LFP	LiFePO4	Lithium Iron Phosphate
NMC	Li(Ni0.45Mn0.45Co0.10)O2	Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide
LCO	LiCoO2	Lithium Cobalt Oxide
NMC/LCO	LiCoO2 and Li(Ni0.50Mn0.25Co0.25)O2	Blend of LCO and NMC
NCA	Lix(Ni0.80Co0.15Al0.05)O2	Nickel Cobalt Aluminium Oxide

The results from these lithium-ion battery fire tests are as follows:

AVD is practically effective when applied in a form of a mist
AVD is suitable for application for both portable extinguishers and fixed systems
AVD encapsulates the fuel source and insulates the cells preventing further thermal runaway; this prevents the propagation of the fire
The system can be designed to suit the specific requirements of the location and application
AVD is Dielectric Test approved in line with BS EN 3-7: 2004 + A1: 2007 (download the certificate)

What makes AVD unique?

Do you know what type of fire extinguisher is needed for lithium battery fires? With AVD, you are equipped with a unique agent that is specifically designed to effectively extinguish lithium battery fires. AVDfire provides the best, most versatile solution to battery fires across a wide range of applications.

Take a look at our lithium battery fire extinguishers and product bundles to find out more about the protection that AVDfire can offer.

Technical Specifications of AVD Range