Li-Ion Batteries Still Cause for Alarm
As we have reported here over the past 8 years – lithium ion batteries used in a multitude of portable electronic devices (including laptop computers) – continue to pose serious safety risks.
Recently, several reports have emerged of Li-Ion battery related issues and the airlines.
Onboard battery fires underscore need for meaningful action
This week, a battery caught fire in the overhead bins on a KLM 777, Qantas became the third airline to refuse freight carriage of lithium battery shipments, and Air France’s new safety video has started warning passengers not to move their seat if they lose their phone between the cushions. It’s time to talk about lithium batteries in PEDs.With images and video circulating from yet another battery fire in an airline cabin — this time on board KLM 876 from Amsterdam to Bangkok — air safety regulators don’t seem to be on top of the problem. A compounding factor: the cabin crew actions in the video are not entirely in accordance with IATA safety guidelines.
–John Walton | http://www.runwaygirlnetwork.com/2015/03/19/onboard-battery-fires-underscore-need-for-meaningful-action/
KLM 777 Fire Video
Dramatic moment KLM flight attendant extinguished fire ’caused by lithium ion battery in passenger’s hand luggage’ on flight from Amsterdam to Bangkok
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-2995699/Small-fire-breaks-KLM-flight-Amsterdam-Bangkok.html
Airlines stop accepting rechargable battery shipments due to fire risk
WASHINGTON – Some of the world’s largest airlines are banning bulk shipments of rechargeable batteries in the face of mounting evidence of their potential to cause catastrophic in-flight fires.Citing safety concerns, United Airlines on Monday became the second major U.S. airline to announce it will no longer accept bulk shipments of rechargeable batteries, also called lithium-ion batteries, which are used to power everything from smartphones to laptops to power tools.
Delta Air Lines quietly stopped accepting bulk shipments of the rechargeable batteries on Feb. 1. Air France has also stopped accepting bulk shipments of the batteries, according to several aviation officials. Officials for the airline didn’t immediately respond to an inquiry from The Associated Press.
A third major U.S. carrier, American Airlines, stopped accepting some types of lithium-ion battery shipments on Feb. 23. But the airline is continuing to accept small packages of batteries grouped together or “overpacked” into a single cargo container. Those kinds of shipments are actually a greater safety concern because they often result in tens of thousands of batteries in one container.
All three airlines said they will continue to accept bulk shipments of equipment containing batteries or in which batteries placed in the same package as equipment. Placing batteries inside equipment like laptops or in the same package as power tools creates additional buffering and is believed to provide added protection, although safety experts say that theory hasn’t been fully tested.
–Fox News | http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/03/03/airlines-stop-accepting-rechargable-battery-shipments-due-to-fire-risk/
Guidance for Crew Members
Regulators flag fire risk of charging portable IFE in galley carts
There is a new reason for airlines and air travelers to worry about the global infatuation with electronic devices powered by lithium-ion batteries. Tests conducted by the US Federal Aviation Administration and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) show that airlines that provide tablets as part of their inflight entertainment may create a fire hazard if the devices are stored and charged in galley carts.
–Christine Negroni | http://www.runwaygirlnetwork.com/2015/03/28/regulators-flag-fire-risk-of-charging-portable-ife-in-galley-carts/
