There is a very deliberate reason why PSL Fire & Safety does not sell products marketed as "lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers."
Based on the current evidence available, these extinguishers do not contain an extinguishing agent capable of stopping the thermal runaway process that is characteristic of lithium-ion battery failures. While some products may suppress flames or cool surrounding combustible materials, they should not be relied upon to extinguish a lithium-ion battery fire in the way many marketing claims suggest.
Under the current AS/NZS 1841 and AS/NZS 1850 standards, fire extinguishers marketed for lithium-ion battery fires are, in reality, only classified and approved for Class A combustible fires (such as wood, paper and textiles). They do not carry an approved classification for a specific "lithium-ion battery fire" because no such extinguisher classification currently exists within the Australian and New Zealand standards.
Furthermore, as these extinguishers are typically water-based or aqueous solutions, they cannot be classified for use on energised electrical equipment under the AS/NZS standards. Lithium-ion batteries are electrical devices, and there are currently no provisions within the standards that allow an extinguisher to be approved specifically for extinguishing an energised lithium-ion battery fire, regardless of how it may be advertised or marketed.
One of the greatest concerns is the testing methodology often used to support performance claims. Much of the "independent" or "in-house" testing promoted by manufacturers is conducted under highly controlled laboratory conditions using exposed or individual battery cells. These tests bear little resemblance to the real-world incidents encountered by emergency responders, where batteries are enclosed within products such as e-bikes, e-scooters, power tools, energy storage systems or electric vehicles. In these situations, battery packs are contained within protective housings, making cooling and extinguishment significantly more difficult while increasing the likelihood of cell-to-cell propagation and re-ignition.
Another important consideration is thermal runaway. Once initiated, thermal runaway is a self-sustaining chemical reaction within the battery cells that continues to generate heat, flammable gases and, in many cases, repeated re-ignition. Current evidence indicates that no portable fire extinguisher can reliably stop this process. The role of an extinguisher is generally limited to controlling secondary Class A fires, cooling surrounding materials, and providing valuable time for occupants to evacuate safely while emergency services respond.
For these reasons, PSL believes there are a number of products in the marketplace making claims that may unintentionally mislead customers regarding their capabilities. This creates the risk that users may place themselves in harm's way, believing they have equipment capable of extinguishing a lithium-ion battery fire when, in reality, the extinguisher may only suppress visible flames without stopping the underlying battery failure.
We strongly recommend reviewing the attached TAN-09 Technical Advisory Note, which provides a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers and their limitations. This document is supported by Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) and aligns with the current understanding of lithium-ion battery fire behaviour. We also recommend reviewing the attached CSIRO publication, which further explains the science behind thermal runaway and the limitations of portable extinguishers for these types of incidents.
Our intention is not to criticise manufacturers or distributors of these products, but rather to ensure that end users have accurate, technically sound information so they can make informed decisions about managing lithium-ion battery fire risks. We encourage customers to exercise caution when evaluating marketing claims and to seek evidence of independent testing that closely reflects real-world fire scenarios and compliance with recognised standards.
I trust this information provides greater clarity and assists you in assessing the suitability and limitations of these products.
Mark Van Dorsten - National Sales Manager PSL Fire & Safety
Further Reading
