NASA Experts Share Space Battery Experience with Houston Firefighters
Battery Experts from NASA Johnson’s Propulsion and Power Division with the La Marque Fire Department. Credits: NASA/Rebecca Wickes
Houston-area communities are benefiting from lessons learned in space after a presentation from NASA Johnson Space Center battery experts. The center’s Propulsion and Power Division in the Engineering Directorate gave a presentation to the La Marque Fire Department and discussed the unique hazards that lithium-ion (li-ion) battery fires pose and the best ways to extinguish them.
In the sweltering heat of summer, things can heat up even more when li-ion batteries are involved. These small but mighty sources of power are likely present in every room and are rarely thought of as a fire hazard. However, when li-ion batteries ignite due to manufacturing defects or electrical, mechanical, or thermal abuse in service, they can be problematic to extinguish. As the world becomes increasingly plugged in and charged up, both on the road and at home, firefighters must recognize the importance of battery safety and learn how to deal with these unique types of fires.
When it comes to certifying batteries to fly in space, Johnson has the expertise and responsibility of ensuring they are designed with the best possible safety features and tested thoroughly to verify adequate performance.
“When performing successful missions in a microgravity environment, astronauts must be able to rely on their technology without fear of things going up in smoke,” said John Albright, division chief engineer for the Propulsion and Power Division.
In space, there is little tolerance for fire.
Extinguishing Battery Fires
La Marque firefighters look on attentively as NASA’s David Delafuente discusses a video of an electric vehicle fire. Credits: NASA/Rebecca Wickes
Back on Earth, extinguishing li-ion battery fires can become just as complex when time is of the essence. Electric vehicles, for example, carry their battery supplies on the base of the car’s frame, though the exact configuration and energy capacity differs between models. These batteries are distributed over a large area and are rarely in a single location, as with a typical gasoline engine. To put out an electrical vehicle fire, large quantities of water must reach the inside of an enclosed, capsulized base layer containing the individual battery cells. A firefighter could waste precious time trying to apply water to the outside of a vehicle when it needs to get inside the frame and into the battery compartment to be effective. Electrocution from exposure to high voltage and toxicity from gases expelled are additional hazards that must be managed while fighting a li-ion battery fire.
Another unique aspect to battery fires is how energy is stored and depleted inside the numerous cells that comprise a battery. Even if firefighters are familiar with how to locate vehicle batteries and extinguish the fire, their efforts could be short-lived.
“With any battery, the energy does not simply disappear, even when you apply water to it,” emphasized David Delafuente, battery safety technical discipline lead in the Propulsion and Power Division.
It takes time for the energy to dissipate; and, if it has not fully cleared from the battery (very challenging with damage from a collision), the “stranded energy” can spread to nearby cells and reignite the fire. This fact has often resulted in vehicles reigniting hours, days, or even weeks after the initial fire. Similar behavior is possible with li-ion batteries in the home.
Keeping Communities Safe
NASA’s John Albright answers questions from La Marque firefighters during an engaging question-and-answer session. Credits: NASA/Rebecca Wickes
As Johnson employees continue to work on-site in the Texas heat, it is crucial to keep an eye out for warning signs of potential battery hazards.
“Batteries always contain their chemical energy and are at their highest risk when they are fully charged,” Delafuente cautioned.
So, the next time you are looking to power up, don’t push things to the max. Instead, it is recommended to charge phone batteries to only 80 to 85%, both for safety and improved battery life.
If you notice your laptop or cell phone start to swell, lay unevenly, or become unusually hot during charging or usage, this could be a sign of a battery malfunction. Instead of plugging in the device, call the center’s Safety Action Hotline at 281-483-7500. These simple steps will help ensure that the Johnson workplace remains safe and energized in a positive way.
Looking ahead, the Propulsion and Power Division has already received interest from other local fire departments who heard about the valuable lessons shared in La Marque.
“We are proud that our engineers are taking an active interest in sharing their knowledge with the local community,” said Julie Kramer White, director of the Engineering Directorate at Johnson. “This is definitely one of those ‘spinoff’ areas where the technology and lessons we learn in space play a very real role in improving our life — and safety — here on Earth!”
For information about Johnson’s Engineering Directorate and Propulsion and Power Division, visit: