DOT issues advisory on air shipping lithium batteries, warns of fire hazard
Thursday October 8, 2009
US Dept. of Transportation yesterday issued a safety advisory regarding the shipment of lithium batteries in passenger and cargo aircraft, warning that battery-caused "fires in aircraft can result in catastrophic events presenting unique challenges not encountered in other transport modes."
The Air Line Pilots Assn. in August detailed incidents in which "smoke or evidence of fire associated with battery shipments has occurred" aboard aircraft and called for the US government "to prohibit shipments of lithium batteries on. . .aircraft until new regulations are in place" (ATWOnline, Aug. 26). Two DOT agencies, FAA and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, jointly issued yesterday's advisory.
"PHMSA and FAA are concerned that many persons who ship lithium batteries do not recognize the hazards posed by these batteries during transportation," the agencies warned, adding that "overheating has the potential to create a thermal runaway, a chain reaction leading to self-heating and release of the battery's stored energy."
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement that "this advisory puts all shippers on notice that noncompliance with the safety regulations is not acceptable. I have asked the department's enforcement personnel to increase their inspections and step up enforcement where necessary."
The advisory states that when a package contains multiple lithium cells or batteries, it "must" be "marked to indicate that it contains lithium batteries and that special procedures should be followed in the event the package is damaged." It should be accompanied by a document also indicating its contents and procedures to be followed in the event of damage. Further, the package should be "capable of withstanding a 1.2-meter drop test in any orientation without damage to cells or batteries contained in the package, without shifting of the contents that would allow short circuits and without release of package contents." The package also cannot be more than 30 kg. (66 lb.) in gross mass, the agencies said.
DOT said that "more than 40 air transport-related incidents involving lithium batteries and devices powered by lithium batteries have been identified" since 1991, adding that "many of these incidents were directly related to the lack of awareness of the regulations, risks and required safety measures applicable."
by Aaron Karp
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