E-Scrap Conference 2022

Hazard Recognition: Fire Safety and

Prevention
Monday, September 19, 2022
Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries
Do You Need a

Approach to Fire
Prevention?
 The Problem
• Increasing facility fire risk
across the industry

• Ignoring site hazards

• Absence of risk assessments
• Misunderstanding the
business interruption from a
fire event
 Major Fire Risk Facts in the
Recycling Industry
Of the 317 publicly reported major fires in 2020,
• 158 occurred in facilities that process waste, paper
and plastic;
• 108 occurred in facilities that process scrap metal
• These fires were responsible, either directly or
indirectly, for 23 reported injuries and three deaths in
2020.
Waste Today, April 2021
 Major Fire Risk Facts in the
Recycling Industry, cont.
The report cites six typical causes of these
fires and fire incidents:
1. Traditional fire hazards from combustibles
such as aerosols, chemicals and butane cans;
2. Lithium-ion batteries;
3. Heat / dry environments;
 Major Fire Risk Facts in the
Recycling Industry, cont.
The report cites six typical causes of these
fires and fire incidents:
4. Inherent risk from recycling chemicals and
hazardous materials;
5. Sparks from building and equipment
maintenance, and;
6. Arson
 Major Fire Risk Facts in the
Recycling Industry
EPA Report July 2021: An Analysis of Li-ion
Battery Fires in Waste Mgt and Recycling,
• Embedded batteries jeopardize the economics of the electronics
recycling industry.
• Employees spend time retrieving a low-value product;
• When a LiB starts a fire, time is lost, and the worker’s health is
threatened.
• Existing efforts are not solving the problem, all stakeholders must
coordinate further to reduce the threat.
US EPA: An Analysis of Lithium-ion Battery Fires in Waste Management and Recycling, July 2021
https://resource-recycling.com/e-scrap/2021/08/26/epa-outlines-multifaceted-e-scrap-threat-from-batteries/
 Today’s Objectives
• Fire Hazard Awareness
• Operational Awareness and Readiness
• Common Sense Approaches
• Sharing ‘Real Life Experiences’
• ISRI Fire Prevention Efforts
 Common Sense?
What is it?
How does it help us?
How can we use it to our advantage?
Common Sense
is Genius
dressed in work clothes!
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Common Sense
is nothing
without

Common Practice
Metacognition
& Safety
E-Scrap Conference
September 19, 2022
Lithium-Ion Battery Fires

Low Frequency

High Impact

13
How our brain reacts when a fire occurs

(Neuro4Kiz, 2018) 14
How our brain reacts when a fire occurs

(Neuro4Kiz, 2018) 15
How our brain reacts when a fire occurs

(Neuro4Kiz, 2018) 16
How our brain reacts when a fire occurs

(Neuro4Kiz, 2018) 17
Reaction: Grab a Fire Extinguisher

(Webstaurant Store, n.d.) 18

Increasing Mindfulness

(Neuro4Kiz, 2018) 19
Increasing Mindfulness

(Neuro4Kiz, 2018) 20
Metacognition: Thinking about how you think

(Webstaurant Store, n.d.) 21

What drives cognition?

What Why
22
What is inside?

Every battery has these four

components:
• Cathode (+)
• Anode (-)
• Separator
• Electrolyte
Battery packaging

Cylindrical Cells Prismatic Cells Foil Pouches

• Less expensive • More expensive • Takes up less space
• More stable • More stable when in a metal casing • Smartphones & Notebooks
• Take up more space • Take up less space • Lithium-Polymer battery
Lithium-ion battery combustion

A series of reactions cause the temperature

within a single Lithium-Ion battery cell to
rise rapidly
• Short circuit, exposure to heat, improper use start
the thermal runaway process
• ~130°C (266°F) = Electrolyte starts to decompose
and acts as a fuel source
• ~180°C (356°F) = Cathode begins to decompose
resulting in the release of oxygen
• Depending on the length of time and type of
reaction, temperatures can reach as high as
3000°F.
Fire extinguishing methods

Class ABC: Used to Class D: Used to Water: Used to remove

extinguish extinguish metal thermal energy from
combustible fires fires. Lithium-Ion fires and keep
such as wood, them from spreading.
cloth, and paper.
Water is needed to remove thermal energy

(Stimson, 2022) 27
Review & Discuss Film

28
Electrical Safety Training

29
Basic handling precautions

• Follow all Li-Cycle guidelines

• Wear your PPE
• Cover metal work surfaces
• Avoid sharp objects
• Use non-conductive tools
• Remove all jewelry
• Class 0 Electrical Gloves
• Insulative mat & blanket
• Assume high-voltage
• Work in teams
Future Plans: Continue connection with local Fire Department

31
Future Plans: Explore Virtual Reality

32
What drives cognition?

What Why
33
34
References

▪ Brainscape Academy. (n.d.). Use metacognition strategies to enhance your studying.

https://www.brainscape.com/academy/metacognition-strategies-studying/

▪ Neuro4Kidz. (2018, June 2). Build that prefrontal lobe up. https://medium.com/@rohanpoosala/build-that-
prefrontal-lobe-up-c72434186dfd

▪ Stimson, B. (2022, June 23). Tesla spontaneously catches fire while sitting in California junkyard.
https://www.foxnews.com/auto/tesla-fire-california-junkyard

▪ Webstaurant Store. (n.d.). Types of fire extinguishers. https://www.webstaurantstore.com/guide/532/fire-

extinguisher-buying-guide.html

35
What are Your
Objectives?
 Fire Risk
• Human Consequences
• Business Consequences
• Industry Consequences
 The cost (human and
business) of fires is MUCH
greater than the cost of
preventing them!
 What is the
“Fire Safety Outreach Team”?
• ISRI Staff
• Fire Chiefs
• Legal Professionals
OSHA Susan Harwood Training Grant Funding

Hazard Recognition Fire Safety &

Prevention Training
• Conducted an in-depth hazard study
focused on fires in our industry
• Contracted with an outside consulting
professional
• On-site specific trainings are available
• Guidance document available on ISRI
website
How Did the Rams
Win the Superbowl?
They Had a Plan!
 Plans Should…
• Be complete
• Be concise
• Sit on a shelf all year (ideally)
The Fire Prevention Plan must include:
• A list of all major fire hazards
• Proper handling and storage procedures
for hazardous materials
• Potential ignition sources and their
controls
• Type of fire protection equipment
necessary to control each major hazard
The Fire Prevention Plan must include:
• Procedures to control accumulations of flammable
and combustible waste materials
• Procedures for regular maintenance of safeguards
installed on heat-producing equipment
• Names or job titles of people responsible for
maintaining equipment or controlling fuel source
hazards
• Training for employees upon initial assignment
and annual review
The Emergency Action Plan must include:
• Means of reporting fires and other
emergencies
• Emergency procedures and emergency
escape routes
• Procedures who remain to operate critical
plant functions
• Accounting for all employees and visitors
The Emergency Action Plan must include:
• Rescue and medical duties for those
performing them
• Names and job titles of those who can be
contacted
• Alarm system
• Training for employees...review and drill
 Training…
• Upon initial assignment
• Annually
• Drill
 Audits…
• Did you meet the goals of your plan?
• Do you need to adjust your plan
• Corrective action - engagement
 Engagement
Employees are…
• Most likely to create a hazard
• Most likely to be affected
by the impending disaster
 Engagement
Fire Department…
• Pre-planning tours
• Training opportunities
• Support their needs
 Common Sense
We may not be able to stop all fires…
But we have to
PREVENT ALL LARGE
FIRES!
Fire Prevention

Early Detection
Safe and Effective
Fire Response
 Open Discussion
Share your experiences!
• Share your fire experience and outcomes
• Share your questions and concerns to
attack fire hazards for the industry
• What can YOU do to implement “Common
Sense Approaches”?
 Available Resources
• National Fire Protection Association (N.F.P.A.):
www.nfpa.org
• Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries: www.isri.org
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration:
www.osha.gov
• U.S. Fire Administration:
www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/
• Your local Fire Department, they are your friends,
honestly!
Actually 3 Things…
• You can’t fix fire risk
• You can only make it better
• Only a little bit at a time
Thank you for your commitment
to fire prevention in the
Recycling Industries
For more information about ISRI’s Fire
Safety & Prevention Resources, contact:
isrisafety@isri.org or
call Tony Smith at 202-662-8529
E-Scrap Conference 2022
Hazard Recognition: Fire Safety and
Prevention
Monday, September 19, 2022
Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries
 The Issue…

• Fires occur in recycling facilities, MRFs, and trucks because of

inbound fuel sources such as batteries and flammable liquids

• Inbound material and curbside pickup are exposed because of lack

of knowledge by the public or intentional attempts to discard fire
hazards

• Prevention programs are critical to reduce the risk and impact on

these operations
 Today’s Topics

• Fire Prevention

• Inbound Source Control

• Ignition Source Control

• Fuel Source Control

Fires in Recycling
 Fires in Recycling

Fire in Waste Collection Truck Fire in Recycled Material Truck

 Fire Safety and Prevention

A fire prevention and management plan

should focus on the fire triangle:

• Fire requires the presence of a fuel

source,

• an ignition source, and

• a substance that supports combustion—

usually oxygen
 Fire Safety and Prevention

To prevent fires, the plan should

control or eliminate one or more of
the three elements of the fire triangle

The plan must address the specific fire

hazards and firefighting equipment
associated with that site
 Fire Safety and Prevention Study

49 sites visited Data gathered

• All regions of the US were • 25 different areas / 5

covered subheadings
• Commodities visited • Protection Systems
• MRFs • Emergency Procedures
• Metal Recyclers • Fire Extinguisher
• Tire & Rubber • Ignition Source Control
• Electronics • General Housekeeping,
Storage, and
Miscellaneous
 Fire Study Preliminary Data

High Priority
Deficiencies
 Fire Study Preliminary Data

Deficiencies
Identified by
Category
 Fire Study Preliminary Data

Known Cause
Inbound Source Control
Inbound Source Control

Thermal Batteries

Damaged
or
Defective
Batteries
 Inbound Source Control

Batteries

• Can arc in piles and ignite

combustible material

• Lithium will burn in the presence of

air and can explode when exposed
to water

• Hybrid Vehicle batteries

• Increasing use
• Increased risk if not detected
 Inbound Source Control

• Electric Vehicles

• Hybrid Vehicles

• Alternative Fuel Vehicles

 Inbound Source Control

Example of thermal
runaway on electric
scooter battery
Lithium Battery Demand
76
 Types of Lithium-Based Batteries

▪ Two distinct battery types: Primary: lithium metal and

Rechargeable: lithium ion

Attribute Lithium Primary Lithium-Ion

Sub-chemistries CR, Lithium Iron NCA, NMC, LCO,
Sulfide, Non- LMO, LFP, LTO, Coins
Consumer Uses
Primary Uses AA/AAA, Medical EV, Grid Storage,
Devices, Security, Electronics, E-Bikes,
Back-up Power Power Tools
 Inbound Source Control

• Lithium Metal Batteries

• Increasing issue for recyclers and
MRFs

▪ They come in the following sizes: 9v,

AA, AAA, C, D, Coin/Button cell

▪ Possible Markings:
▪ ‘Lithium’ or ‘Lithium cells’; marked
as (CR###)
 Inbound Source Control

• Lithium-Ion Batteries
(rechargeable)
• Increasing issue for recyclers
and MRFs

▪ MAY be Marked “Rechargeable”

▪ MAY Have a Battery Name

(Lithium Ion) or Abbreviation (LI-
ION, Li-ion, LiPo (lithium polymer);
Button/coin Cell (LIR####)

▪ MAY Just Have Battery Seal or

Other Mark or it may not…
 Inbound Source Control

• Lithium Batteries in
automatic faucets
 Handling Lithium Batteries

• Watch for Lithium-Based

Batteries that Show Signs
of Damage Such as
Swelling, Smoking,
Leaking or Overheating

• Do NOT place damaged

lithium-based batteries in
a collection box or drum.
Immediately put them in
an absorbent, non-
flammable material (sand
or cat litter) in a cool, dry
area
 Handling Lithium Batteries

• Damaged / smoking /
hot or distorted
batteries must be
covered and separated
from other batteries
and flammable /
combustible material

Cellblock Coverage Covered in Vermiculite

 Handling Lithium Batteries

• Emergency Station
• Class D fire
extinguishers
• CellBlock
• Fire & 1st Aid Blanket
• Emergency Kit
 Handling Lithium Batteries

• Emergency Kit in the

event of a thermal
runaway
 Handling Lithium Batteries

• Emergency eye-wash
station
• Gloves for handling
thermal runaway
• Fire blankets
 Handling Lithium Batteries

• Emergency Battery
Containment Unit (EBC)
• Used for thermal event
suppression
• Once cell is contained it
is moved to appropriate
area for containment
 Inbound Source Control

• Have a plan for

acceptance,
handling, storage,
and processing
 What You Need to Know about Bulk Shipping

• Batteries should only be returned in:

• UN-rated steel drum (1A) with plastic liner
or
• UN-rated polyethylene drum (1H)

• Drums must have an open head with

lever locking
ring lid and be stored in a cool, dry place.

• Containers with Lithium-Ion

batteries that have a gross weight
of more than 66lbs. (30kg) must be
shipped as fully regulated
hazardous material
89
Ignition Source Control
 Ignition Source Control
• Hot Work – Cutting, Burning,
Welding, Grinding
• Sparks or Embers from above
• Smoking-areas
• Electrical – wiring systems,
overheated circuits, heaters,
coolingsystems, microwave,
convection ovens, coffee pots,
any equipment powered by
electricity
• Frayed or overloaded extension
cords
• Loose connections in high
voltage systems.
• Gas/propane fired building
heaters or space heaters
• Portable open flame heaters
where permanent systems
could beused
• Spontaneous combustion –
oily rags in maintenance
shop
 Ignition Source Control

• “Hot Pieces” from shredder

• Hot exhaust systems from trucks and mobile

equipment

• Undischarged lithium batteries in cordless

power tools, children’s toys, automatic
sinks, Electric scooters, some grocerycarts,
E-scrap, cell phones, laptops, e-cigarettes,
monitors. Any device powered by AAA or
AA lithium batteries

• Electrical panels for potential hot spots

 Ignition Source Control

• Keep combustible and

flammable material clear of
ALL welding and torching
operations

• Keep a fire extinguisher

available when torching or
welding

• Fire watch for at least 30

minutes after work is done
Recycle Markings on Lithium Batteries

Issue for recyclers are these markings

may be confusing to the public
94
Li-Ion Battery Fire
 Ignition Source Control

Plastic gasoline containers…

Exposed wiring What’s the issue here?
 Hazard Recognition: Fire Safety and Prevention

• Know potential fuel sources

• Know potential ignition sources

• Control plan must address these to

minimize risk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75_f6CjIcz8
Fuel Source Control
 Fuel Source Control

• Propane cylinders – fork

trucks

• Cardboard boxes – stored

or in process

• Hydraulic fluid in
equipment
 Fuel Source Control

• Paper or Plastic - stored or

in process

• Compressed gas tanks for

torching or welding

• Combustible dusts
 Fuel Source Control

• Unemptied trash cans

• Containers in workshop of oil,

grease, hydraulic fluid, spray cans
of lubricant, paint, degreaser
• Parts washing stations

• Dry Vegetation, leaves, grass

• Pallet storage
Fuel Source Control
 Build Relationships with the Locals

Working with your local

Fire Department
• Help them to understand
what you do at your facility
• Conduct fire pre-planning
tours with fire responders
• Discuss access, resources and
hazards
 Build Relationships with the Locals

Working with your local

Fire Department
• Provide maps
• Get input on signage
• Discuss secure key access
(Knox Box)
• Cooperative training and
education
• Make them your friends!
 Final Thoughts

• Fires occur in all types of recycling facilities, but the causes can be
managed, and the risk can be reduced

• It is always best to focus on reduction of fire sources

• Follow inbound sources, ignition sources, and fuel sources as the

means to reduce fire probability

• Requires a plan, training, execution, and auditing

Questions or Comments?
110
 Fire Safety for Children
• When a house fire starts, children can become very afraid and confused.
• They may not understand what is happening or how they should react.
• With as little as two minutes to escape unharmed, there is not enough time to plan a safe
escape route when the alarm sounds.
• Therefore, it is important for parents to maintain working smoke alarms in the home, teach
children what to do in case of a fire, and regularly practice a home fire escape plan.

111