After the lithium fire: gear decon card

Size up lithium-ion battery (LIB) contamination before picking a cleaning path.

First steps

  • Preliminary exposure reduction (PER) first: wet soap, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) on.
  • Bag and seal soft goods; isolate SCBA; outside compartment only.
  • Decon the cab if gear rode inside.
  • Answer the size-up questions; use the column where most answers land.

Size-up

  • Mostly batteries burned?
  • Closed space: garage, energy storage room, enclosed parking?
  • Members close for a long time?
  • Measurements show LIB contaminants?
  • Advanced cleans failed before?
  • Independent data favor specialized cleaning?
  • Pre- and post-cleaning testing possible?

lowUse when most answers point to low concern.

  1. Advanced cleaning per department procedures.
  2. Record LIB involvement and PER method on the work order.
  3. Return to service once clean.

mixedUse when answers are mixed or unsure.

  1. Default to specialized or enhanced advanced cleaning.
  2. Go advanced only if verification or peer data justify it; record them.
  3. Flag SCBA with the same status.

highUse when most answers point to high concern.

  1. Order specialized cleaning; name the provider.
  2. Consider destructive pre- and post-cleaning testing on the worst-exposed set.
  3. File exposure reports; issue second sets; shower within the hour.