We've just reviewed the most recent version of the Royal Aeronautical Society’s SAFITA specialist document, which addresses fire safety in aviation. There are two documents, both of which is attached to the bottom of this post. CellBlock FCS is pleased to have been consulted by the authors of the document. By design the LIBIK aligns itself incredibly well with their recommendations.
We recommend reading both documents, but the following are some highlights as they apply to battery fires:
- Part 1 v5 focuses on recommended mitigations for smoke, fumes and fire. Section 5.4 is likely of the most interest in regards to inflight battery fires. Pages 21 and 22 reiterate the FAA’s caution against using typical burn bags. The 5th paragraph on page 22 also recommends the use of dry extinguishing agents. Protection of the crew member is emphasized throughout.
The LIBIK addresses all of these concerns: it is not a burn bag – it is a robust fire suppression kit; it uses CellBlockEX, a cutting edge dry fire suppressant media that is incredibly safe and sustainable; and the kits provide personal safety equipment that actively protect the fire fighter, including our Fire Shield Blanket.
- Part 2 v2 focuses on training. Section 13, starting on page 24, is the most relevant. Again there are recommendations for mitigating Lithium-ion battery fires. The document also recommends providing a shield for crew members and for using a dry extinguishing agent.
Again, the LIBIK aligns well with SAFITA recommendations. Our Fire Shield Blanket provides just such as shield and is highly important to our kit. It is a versatile tool that provides an impervious barrier between the fire fighter/crew member and the fire. (We have a new video of the blanket on this page: https://cellblockfcs.com/libik-fire-blankets/). And our PED-Pad fire suppression pillows that are contained in every LIBIK are an effective vehicle for deploying our dry fire-suppression granulate.