Lithium-Ion batteries are indispensable for construction tools, playing a critical role on any site. They are the most popular choice for many devices due to their ability to store a large amount of energy in a small space, making them ideal for powering a wide range of tools. Ensuring a steady supply of fully charged Lithium-Ion batteries is crucial for maintaining peak performance. Without fully charged batteries, tool performance declines, leading to workflow disruptions and project delays. To avoid setbacks and maintain productivity, it’s essential to manage and recharge your Lithium-Ion batteries safely and effectively.
Battery management and secure storage solutions are vital to a safe workplace, especially if you have a large quantity of batteries being stored together.
Why Is It Important to Safely Store Lithium-Ion Batteries?
Lithium-Ion batteries contain substances that, if mishandled, improperly stored, or exposed to extreme conditions, can lead to more than just a decline in performance. In addition to reducing the efficiency of the tools they power, improper handling can have disastrous consequences, including equipment damage, significant financial losses for your business, and safety hazards.
Lithium-Ion batteries are highly sensitive and can fail for a few reasons, such as temperature extremes, physical damage or a failed battery management system (BMS). These can all damage the plastic membrane between the lithium and graphite that make up the battery cells. When the cell membrane is damaged the lithium and graphite come into direct contact with each other causing a violent chemical reaction. This reaction produces a massive amount of heat and can reach temperatures of over 1200 degrees C, in an event known as thermal runaway. The intense heat can damage nearby cells or batteries causing a chain reaction known as thermal propagation. This causes the nearby cells to fail and go into thermal runaway too. Usually it’s impossible to tell if a battery cell is damaged meaning a battery can enter thermal runaway anytime from minutes to weeks after being damaged. Additionally, battery fire safety is crucial, as Lithium-ion battery fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish.
It’s not just the damage caused by fire, it’s also the effects of the gases released in the thermal runaway event which include hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen chloride and hydrogen cyanide, as well as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and methane which can be fatal if inhaled.
How to securely and safely store and protect Lithium-ion batteries?
Protecting and maintaining your Lithium-ion battery is essential for ensuring its longevity and optimal performance. Safe storage and charging practices are critical, and there are several key features to consider when creating the ideal environment for your batteries:
- Early gas and smoke detection to alert you to potential issues before they escalate.
- GSM phone and text alerts in case of fire, ensuring rapid response.
- Visual and audible alarms to provide immediate warning on-site.
- Automatic power cut-off when the internal temperature reaches critical levels, such as 60°C or more, to prevent overheating.
- Forced ventilation to regulate airflow and keep the temperature stable.
- A thermostatic heater to maintain optimal temperatures in colder conditions.
- Weatherproofing to ensure the unit is protected from external elements.
- Fire suppression systems to immediately respond to fire hazards.
By implementing these features, you can ensure your Lithium-ion batteries are stored and charged safely, significantly reducing the risk of damage and ensuring they are ready for use when needed.
To ensure the security of your batteries, all of our storage units are designed to be lockable too. This allows individual contractors and workers to securely store their own batteries, offering peace of mind that their equipment is safe from theft or unauthorised access.
Our Range of Battery Charging Units
All of the reasons above are why we designed and built our range of Battery Charging units – the VoltHub and PowerStor – all with specific functions and differences depending on where you want to use the unit.
The VoltHub and PowerStor are market leading battery charging units boasting all the features required to mitigate the risk of Lithium-ion batteries.
The VoltHub is the ideal portable battery charging unit for those who need to move the charging station around site, as this unit features durable wheels for easy transport across various locations. Whether you’re working indoors or outdoors, the VoltHub’s fully weatherproof construction ensures reliable performance in any environment.
A standout feature of the VoltHub is its advanced safety technology. VoltHub keeps Lithium-ion batteries charging in optimum conditions; a thermostatic heater maintains optimal internal temperatures while forced ventilation ensures air circulation. The power cut-off feature activates when internal temperatures exceed 60°C. In the rare event that a stored battery fails and a fire breaks out, the unit responds with visual and audible alarms, and the GSM module notifies the phone number of your choice. The VoltHub also automatically suppresses the fire in the affected locker, preventing its spread to other stored batteries.
With the VoltHub, you can safely power your equipment anywhere with advanced safety features.
The PowerStor is a high-capacity, walk-in battery charging unit designed for larger, more permanent sites. Its robust construction and security features make it ideal for static sites, the unit requires a crane or forklift for relocation.
Inside the PowerStor, you’ll find five spacious shelves with 32 individual sockets spanning across four of them, allowing for the safe and simultaneous charging of a large number of batteries. This makes it an excellent solution for industries that require high-volume battery charging.
For security, the PowerStor is equipped with twin 5-lever deadlocks, ensuring that only authorised personnel can access the contents. Integral security is at the heart of its design, featuring folded sheet steel construction for added protection.
For added safety of batteries, the PowerStor comes with an automatic fire suppression system. This advanced feature detects fire or extreme heat within the unit and activates automatically, safeguarding both the unit and its contents.
As Lithium-ion batteries can pose significant risks if not maintained and stored correctly, ensure the safety of your team and equipment with our Armorgard battery charging units. Designed for teams of any size and suitable for all sites, these units provide reliable protection, security, and efficiency.
