Will Fire Blanket Work on Lithium Ion Battery?

Understanding the Challenge of Lithium-Ion Battery Fires

Lithium-ion batteries are essential to powering modern life—from electric vehicles and smartphones to solar storage systems and industrial tools. However, these batteries also come with significant fire risks, especially when damaged, overcharged, or improperly stored. When a lithium-ion battery enters thermal runaway, it can result in rapid heating, gas release, and even explosions.

This raises a critical question for industries and safety professionals: will a fire blanket work on a lithium ion battery? While fire blankets have long been used to smother traditional fires by cutting off the oxygen supply, lithium-ion battery fires present a more complex and volatile threat that can’t be suppressed so easily.

Let’s examine the science behind these fires, the limits of conventional fire blankets, and what safety strategies work best in real-world scenarios.

What Happens During a Lithium-Ion Battery Fire?

A lithium-ion battery can catch fire through a process known as thermal runaway. This occurs when the internal temperature of a cell increases rapidly, triggering a chain reaction across neighboring cells. These reactions result in:

• Extreme internal pressure and heat

  
  

• Release of toxic, flammable gases

  
  

• Multiple fire and explosion events

  
  

• Sustained burning even without external oxygen

  
  

In other words, once a lithium battery fire starts, it becomes a self-sustaining event. The flames are often accompanied by gas venting, violent bursts, and temperatures that can exceed 1000°C (1832°F).

Traditional suppression methods like water or CO₂ often prove ineffective—and in some cases, dangerous—especially in confined indoor spaces or near other electronics.

Will a Fire Blanket Work on Lithium Ion Battery Fires?

The short answer is: not in the way most people expect.

Conventional fire blankets are designed to smother fires by removing oxygen. This works well for Class A (solid combustibles) and Class B (flammable liquids) fires. But lithium-ion battery fires don’t rely on external oxygen. Their fuel source is internal to the battery, which means the fire continues even when wrapped in a fire blanket.

The Role of a Fire Blanket in Lithium Fires

That said, fire blankets can still play a limited but useful role in some scenarios:

• Containment of flames and debris: A specialized fire blanket may help reduce flame spread, especially in the early stages of a fire or when a battery is venting.

  
  

• Protection from projectiles and sparks: Some modern battery fire blankets are engineered with heat-resistant, puncture-resistant layers to catch burning fragments and prevent escalation.

  
  

• Smoke and gas suppression: Though not airtight, a fire blanket can slow the release of toxic smoke and flammable gases, giving responders time to act.

  
  

However, using a general-purpose fire blanket without lithium battery certification is not recommended. It may melt, ignite, or even contribute to the spread of a fire.

Why Standard Fire Blankets Fall Short

According to the expert insights provided by BlazeCut, there are three main reasons traditional fire blankets struggle against lithium-ion battery fires:

1. Internal Combustion Can't Be Smothered

The battery fire is driven by electrochemical energy inside the cells. Wrapping it in a blanket won’t stop thermal runaway or cell-to-cell propagation.

2. Extreme Temperatures Exceed Blanket Ratings

While standard fire blankets may withstand 500°C to 700°C, lithium battery fires can surge past 1000°C. Many blankets fail structurally under this heat, offering little protection.

3. Toxic Gas Release Continues

Even if a fire is momentarily hidden from view, hazardous gases like hydrogen fluoride (HF), carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons still escape and pose health and explosion risks.

This means a fire blanket alone is not a full solution—it’s merely one layer in a much broader battery safety strategy.

Best Practices for Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Suppression

When it comes to lithium-ion batteries, passive and active suppression systems must be designed for the unique chemistry of the battery.

1. Use Certified Lithium Battery Fire Blankets

Some companies manufacture specialized fire blankets tested for lithium battery scenarios. These feature:

• Multiple layers of high-temperature fabrics

  
  

• Gas absorption properties

  
  

• Reinforced protection against explosions and projectiles

  
  

However, even these blankets work best as containment tools—not fire extinguishers.

2. Water-Based Aerosol Suppression

Contrary to myth, water can be effective on lithium battery fires—when applied correctly. In fact, the NFPA and other authorities recommend large volumes of water to cool cells and reduce propagation.

Aerosol and mist-based fire suppression systems have also shown strong results, particularly in closed storage cabinets or battery rooms.

3. Gas Detection and Ventilation

Because venting gases are flammable and toxic, integrated systems with gas sensors, venting channels, and filtered exhausts are crucial. These reduce the chance of a secondary explosion caused by accumulated gases igniting.

4. Inert Gas and Powder Agents

Inert gases like Argon and Nitrogen may help reduce overall fire load, but again, they do not stop thermal runaway. Similarly, ABC dry chemical extinguishers may knock down flames temporarily but are not effective long-term.

The Role of Storage Cabinets and Enclosures

Lithium-ion battery safety doesn’t begin with fire response—it begins with safe storage.

Battery storage cabinets, like those offered by LithiPlus, are engineered to:

• Isolate battery packs in secure, fire-rated compartments

  
  

• Integrate fire detection and suppression systems

  
  

• Contain fires if they occur, preventing them from spreading

  
  

• Offer gas management features to limit pressure buildup

  
  

Pairing these cabinets with proper monitoring systems, charging controls, and cooling mechanisms drastically reduces fire risk.

Regulatory Insights: Why Proper Equipment Matters

As regulations evolve, fire safety codes like NFPA 855 and Section 320 of the International Fire Code (IFC) are requiring facilities to implement battery-specific fire mitigation tools.

Fire departments, insurance providers, and facility managers are all looking for compliance—not just in suppression, but in prevention. That’s why generic fire safety tools like fire blankets, while helpful in certain use cases, are not substitutes for engineered lithium safety solutions.

Industry Example: What Happens Without Proper Protection?

Real-world incidents have shown what happens when lithium-ion batteries are stored or charged without adequate safety infrastructure:

• A single e-bike battery in an apartment can ignite and set the entire building ablaze.

  
  

• In industrial settings, poorly contained battery fires can cost millions in damage, halt operations, and endanger lives.

  
  

• Even in transportation, improperly packed batteries have led to cargo plane fires.

  
  

Each of these scenarios demonstrates the limits of manual suppression tools like fire blankets and the need for automated, scalable solutions.

Final Verdict: Will Fire Blanket Work on Lithium Ion Battery?

A fire blanket may help reduce visible flames or contain small battery fires—but it will not stop thermal runaway, prevent gas venting, or fully extinguish a lithium-ion battery fire.

To ensure complete protection, facilities should use:

• Lithium-rated storage cabinets

  
  

• Integrated fire suppression systems

  
  

• Gas monitoring and ventilation

  
  

• Certified lithium battery fire blankets (as a secondary layer)

  
  

• Smart charging and thermal monitoring protocols