GUIDANCE FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES FIRES IN AIRCRAFT CABINS
Brief for Airline Management
Issue December 2007
Background
Lithium batteries are regulated for transport across all modes of transport (road, rail, sea
and air) as dangerous goods. For air transport, the provisions of the UN Model Regulations
are incorporated into the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods
by Air published by ICAO. IATA publishes the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), which
incorporate all of the provisions of the ICAO Technical Instructions together with additional
operational requirements developed by the IATA Dangerous Goods Board.
Batteries pose a unique hazard during transport because they contain stored energy, which
if released through a short circuit is capable of causing a fire.
Lithium batteries can be divided into two groups:
• primary (non-rechargeable) lithium metal batteries; and
• secondary (rechargeable) lithium ion batteries.
Because of their chemistry lithium batteries also pose a chemical hazard because of the
presence of metallic lithium or flammable liquid electrolyte.
Primary (non-rechargeable) lithium metal and secondary (rechargeable) lithium ion
batteries are widely used in various consumer electronic devices. Typically the primary
lithium batteries are used in smaller devices such as watches, calculators and cameras, or
as a back-up power supply. Lithium ion batteries, which tend to be larger, are used in
devices such as laptop computers, mobile telephones and camcorders.
Based on experience gained in transport, and following representation from industry, the
UN Subcommittee provides for some relief from the full regulatory requirements for “small”
lithium batteries. This relief is addressed by way of a Special Provision. The special
provision excepts lithium batteries from the provisions of the dangerous goods regulations
provided that:
• the lithium batteries are below a certain size. The size is determined by the quantity of
lithium contained in the battery;
• the batteries have been tested in accordance with the defined test requirements; and
• batteries are packed to prevent short circuit.
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Carriage by Passengers and Crew
Because of the widespread usage of lithium batteries in consumer electronic devices such
as laptop computers, cell phones, MP3 players and PDAs there are provisions in the DGR
to permit crewmembers and passengers to carry lithium battery powered equipment in
checked or carry-on baggage. Crewmembers and passengers are also permitted to carry
spare lithium batteries for such devices, up to a defined size. Spare lithium batteries must
be in carry-on baggage. For the most part, lithium ion batteries in such consumer electronic
devices will not exceed a capacity of 100 Watt hours (Wh). As an indication a typical laptop
computer battery has a capacity of approximately 53 Wh. Most new batteries will be
marked with the Wh rating.
Regulatory Action
Amend the Cabin Crew checklist and the amplified Cabin Crew checklist for dangerous
goods incidents in passenger cabin during flight. Changes will be incorporated into the
2009-2010 edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions, 2009-2010 edition of the ICAO
Emergency Response Guidance for Aircraft Incidents Involving Dangerous Goods and
2009 edition of the IATA DGR.
Tests on lithium battery fire
The FAA has created a video which can be downloaded from the following link:
http://www.fire.tc.faa.gov/temp/laptop.htm
Further Information please contact:
For Inflight issues: For other issues:
Lisa Angiolelli Dave Brennan
Manager Airport & Inflight Assistant Director Special Cargo Standards
+41 22 770 2704 +1 514-874-0202
angiolellil@iata.org brennand@iata.org
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CABIN CREW CHECKLIST
INITIAL ACTION
• Notify Pilot-in-Command
• Identify the item
In case of fire:
• Use Standard procedure / check use of water
In case of fire involving a portable electronic device:
• Use standard procedure / obtain and use fire extinguisher
• Remove external electrical power form device (if applicable)
• Douse deice with water (or other non-flammable liquid) to cool cells and prevent
ignition of adjacent cells
• Do not move device
• Remove power to remaining electrical outlets until the aircraft’s system can be
determined to be free of faults, if the device was previously plugged in
In case of spillage or leakage:
• Collect emergency response kit or other useful items
• Don rubber gloves and smoke hood or smoke mask - probable oxygen
• Move passengers away from area and distribute wet towels or cloth
• Place dangerous goods item in polyethylene bags
• Stow polyethylene bags
• Treat affected seat cushions / covers in the same manner as dangerous goods item
• Cover spillage on carpet / floor
• Regularly inspect item stowed away / contaminated furnishings
AFTER LANDING
• Identify to ground personnel dangerous goods item and where stowed
• Make appropriate entry in maintenance log
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AMPLIFIED CABIN CREW CHECKLIST
IN CASE OF FIRE
USE STANDARD PROCEDURE / CHECK USE OF WATER
Standard emergency procedures must be used to deal with any fire. In general, water
should not be used on a spillage or when fumes are present since it may spread the
spillage or increase the rate of fuming. Consideration should also be given to the possible
presence of electrical components when using water extinguishers.
IN CASE OF FIRE INVOLVING A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE
USE STANDARD PROCEDURE / OBRTAIN AND USE FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Standard emergency procedures must be used to deal with any fire. Although Halon has
been shown to not be effective against lithium metal fires, Halon will be effective in fighting
the subsequent fire of surrounding materials, or in fighting lithium ion battery fire.
REMOVE EXTERNAL ELECTRICAL POWER FORM DEVICE (IF APPRLICABLE)
A battery has a higher likelihood of catching fire through thermal runway during or
immediately following a charging cycle, although the effects of thermal runaway may be
delayed for some period o time. By removing external power form the device, it will be
assured that additional energy is not being fed to the battery to promote a fire.
DOUSE DEVICE WITH WATER (OR OTHER NON-FLAMMABLE LIQUID) TO COOL
CLLS AND PREVENT IGNITION OF ADJACENT CELLS
If available, a water extinguisher should be used to cool the cells in a batter that have
ignited, preventing the spread of heat to adjacent cells. If a water extinguisher is not
available, any non-flammable liquid may be sued to cool the cells and device.
DO NOT MOVE DEVICE
A battery pack involved in a fire has been shown to reignite and emit flames multiple times
as heat is transferred to other cells in the pack. It is preferable to cool the device using
water (or other non-flammable liquid); injuries may occur if the device reignites while it is
being moved.
REMOVE POWER TO REMAINING ELECTRICAL OUTLETS UNTIL THE AIRCRAFT’S
SYSTEM CAN BE DETERMINED TO BE FREE OF FAULTS, IT THE DEVICE WAS
PREVIOUSLY PLUGGED IN
By removing power to the remaining electrical outlets it can be assured that a
malfunctioning aircraft system does not contribute to additional failures of passenger
portable electronic device
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