Lithium batteries are the battery technology of choice in a wide range of applications including power generation, communications, industry, vehicles and vessels. 

Lithium batteries are composed of high-energy materials with often flammable electrolytes and this represents a significant fire hazard.

Any damage to a separator in the lithium battery, caused by mechanical damage or high temperatures, can lead to an internal short circuit with a high probability of a thermal runaway.

Once a cell enters a thermal runaway, it is very likely that the heat will spread to adjacent battery cells leading to a chain reaction with often serious consequences. The increasing number of

lithium batteries in various energy storage applications represent a new type of fire hazard where fire protection is a challenge. Active control of the lithium battery does not provide a sufficient guarantee and at present there is no proven technology for stopping a thermal runaway in a lithium battery cell.

The main issues with lithium batteries are that they generate their own oxygen and, combined with water, produce a highly explosive and harmful gas: hydrogen fluoride (HF), which poses a major health risk to people and environment. Therefore, conventional extinguishing agents are not suitable for adequately extinguishing a lithium fire.