US Coast Guard Issues Alert on Lithium Battery Fires

Written By: Atanu Das on Tuesday, March 15, 2022

The memo described an incident involving a container used to illegally store discarded lithium batteries intended for shipping from North Carolina to China. The batteries caught fire on the highway and damaged the container and the entire cargo. A resulting investigation showed that the fire burned a hole through the container structure and the bill of lading listed "computer parts" and not the batteries specifically.

Further investigation by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) determined that the shipper failed to properly placard, label, mark and package the lithium batteries, class 9, UN 3480 and 3481, and identified the cause of fire to be residual charge/full circuit, which led to a thermal increase.

In summary, the Coast Guard issued the following recommendations to its stakeholders:

• Have awareness of IMDG Special provisions 376 and 377, which address additional marking requirements for lithium batteries being transported and that are damaged or defective, or being disposed of or recycled.

• Ensure damaged/defective batteries shall be packaged IAW P911 or LP 906.

• Ensure batteries for disposal or recycling adhere to P908 or LP 904.

• Ensure all packaging provisions state: cells and batteries shall be protected against short circuit. Note: Some provide additional direction such as isolating each battery and limits on package contents.

• Utilize PHMSA’s Lithium Battery Guide for Shippers | PHMSA (dot.gov) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) guidance on Used Lithium-Ion Batteries | US EPA

• Have awareness of Appendix A to Subpart D of 49CFR107, which contains guidelines for civil penalties to pursue enforcement or recommend follow-on action to DOT PHMSA.