Cabin crew pour water on battery fire?

[mickjoebill]

Headphones explode on Beijing to Melbourne flight http://dailym.ai/2mXvVEh

According to this report, cabin crew poured water on a battery fire?

[DaveReidUK]

I would hope that they did. That's what they're meant to do.

[The Banjo]

Yes, but not when the item is sitting on the floor. There are things called electrons underneath....

[Dawn Patrol]

There's electrons in pretty much everything?
aaa or aa battery in headphones is surely not dangerous in water. On fire or otherwise.

[HighAndFlighty]

Yes, but not when the item is sitting on the floor. There are things called electrons underneath....Err, there are electrons absolutely freaking everywhere, and in everything. Pretty much anything composed of atoms has the sneaky little bastards.

Did you mean electronics?

[onetrack]

Take all journalistic writings with a large dose of salt when it comes to accuracy of reporting. The more accurate reports state that the CC produced a bucket of water and dunked the offending headphones into it, which would be the correct process for a small Li-ion battery.
The smaller Li-ion batteries contain only relatively small amounts of lithium, unlike the larger Lithium-metal batteries, which contain more lithium as a % of their construction, and which require foam, Halon, CO2, ABC dry chemical, powdered graphite, copper powder, or sodium carbonate style of fire extinguisher. IMO, dry chemical is the most effective electrical fire extinguisher, but it's quite messy.

Some comprehensive and accurate information in the website below, from a bloke who has a background in battery engineering and manufacture ...

Safety concerns with regard to Li-ion batteries (http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/safety_concerns_with_li_ion)

[Cralis]

I'd hope pouring water on the floor of an aircraft isn't a hazard. Drinks are served to kids. Surely water being poured in he floor is safe. The "fire" is more an issue - I'd have thought/hoped.

[SLF3]

I believe these batteries were in headphones. It looks as though the lass wearing them was hurt. Any idea as to the make? (I realise some headphones have a AAA but others have a non standard battery.)

[oceancrosser]

Yes, but not when the item is sitting on the floor. There are things called electrons underneath....

Notwithstanding electrons... Have you seen the amount of water that lands inside a freighter with an open side cargo door? Sure it has sometimes created problems, but a couple of bottles of water poured on an immediate threat on a cabin floor is not an issue.

[darkbarly]

I would hope that they did. That's what they're meant to do.

What he said.

10 minutes into this video is what the UK CAA say.

https://youtu.be/pOiwEW54xL8

[Airclues]

The cabin crew took the correct action according to the FAA as well;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS6KA_Si-m8&feature=youtu.be

[jolihokistix]

Great video here for understanding flammability and L batteries, but length warning applies.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FGyKN3YvoFc&t=755&feature=youtu.be

[4xtbm]

I wonder if she was laying with her head to one side and the earphone was insulated by the seat or a pillow. There have been some cases of phone catching fire when they have been placed under pillows at night. Lack of cooling airflow - batteries overheat!
The Cabin Crew were doing as they were trained. You can find some free Lithium Battery Fire courses here. Lithium Battery Fires and how to fight them (http://www.aviatas.com/Aviation-Training/Lithium-Battery-Fires)

[ChicoG]

Next time buy a proper pair of Beats not a Chinese knockoff.

[crewmeal]

I wonder how the next batch of Samsung phones will fare given that the Galaxy Note 4 was a disaster. I believe they're due out at the end of the month.

[PDR1]

ITYM Note 7.

The Note 4 hasn't been current[sic] since Pontious solo'd.

[NutLoose]

Exploding headphones injure sleeping woman on Beijing to Melbourne flight (http://news.sky.com/story/exploding-headphones-injure-sleeping-woman-on-beijing-to-melbourne-flight-10802535)

Ouch, though the attempt to disguise her identity reminds me of the Two Ronnie's sketch where the presenter was sitting in the darkened seat, and the snitch in the lit one.

http://e3.365dm.com/17/03/992x558/3c47a2ae8b1b4be3d53aa440006fdecfadb9871790a82a883c33002909a3 39ce_3909876.jpg?20170315074403

[jolihokistix]

Selfie in the lavatory...?

[NSEU]

I'd hope pouring water on the floor of an aircraft isn't a hazard. Drinks are served to kids. Surely water being poured in he floor is safe. The "fire" is more an issue - I'd have thought/hoped.

http://www.pprune.org/australia-new-zealand-pacific/542817-interesting-photo-q-a380-water-aisle.html

[742]

Next time buy a proper pair of Beats not a Chinese knockoff.


I agree, yet the fake market at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum continues to be a regular stop for crew members on PVG overnights. :mad:


I worry more about "the deal" in the FOs bag than I do about the declared batteries on the NOTOC.

[Tray Surfer]

Same with the BA A380 (XLF I think) where the pipes under the upper deck floor ruptured or blocked and there was water running through the ceiling and into the lower deck and floor into the cargo hold.

Water IS always going to be present onboard, either put there by people, or as a result of condensation, and will always find its way into places it would be better for it not to be, but is it.

[jolihokistix]

Now the DHS is actively encouraging people to put them in the hold!?!
US to ban electronics on flights from a dozen countries, US media says - BBC News (http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39333424)

[ShotOne]

The thread title very much implies the poster thinks the crew did something wrong. Do other industries (medical Etc) have websites where professionals have their actions picked over by people who know next-to-nothing about it?

[greatwhitehunter]

Many aircraft require spillages in the vicinity of the equipment centre to have a 'spill hazard check' carried out. The amount of water spilled need only be about a cup full.So if the article gave the impression that water was poured on the floor by the crew then depending on where it was it could be wrong. As many crew members may not know the location of the equipment centre then pouring water onto the floor is a poor idea. In this case it seems that other sources indicate that they followed the correct procedure and used a container.
The check requires that the source of the water is found and if necessary rectification action taken and then a careful check for water ingress in the equipment centre area must be carried out.

[No Fly Zone]

Think my friends, please think! Virtually all fires require THREE components: Heat, Fuel and Oxygen(*). Remove one and fire goes out. The use if water to fight battery fires is no more than an attempt to cool, removing the heat. At least in theory, the most effective way to cool an existing fire is by using a strong source of CO2. Those on-board battery containment vessels, once sealed, prevent new Oxygen from reaching the battery. Adding water to the container helps, but is not essential.
(*) in absolute fairness to the few chemists and 'experts' out there, yes, there are a few substances that can create their own Oxygen when burning. Pure Sodium and Magnesium come to mind and I'm sure their are a few more. They are NOT the issue here! In practical terms, for use by cabin crew, their training instructs them to isolate the offending device in one of those sealable containers and to add some water, IF INSTANTLY AVAILABLE and seal the container.
CO2 remains extremely effective, for both cooling and Oxygen displacement, but is rarely available on aircraft. Why? The extinguishers are heavy steel 'bottles,' and weight is always an issue. In addition, other Oxygen displacement agents are available - and routinely available on aircraft. Several of the Halon (sp?) formulations come to mind. While also compressed gasses, their containers may be far less robust, their weight significantly less.
Lastly, SOME types of Lithium batteries truly are subject to nearly spontaneous combustion. That's why SOME types of Lithium-containing batteries are subject to extremely tight air freight rules. That said, Not ALL types of Lithium containing batteries run that risk. Many formulations are every bit as safe as are the ordinary 'alkaline' or even the older, Zinc-Carbon batteries. For the very best protection against unwanted fires in difficult places, know your critter and/or consult a professional. IMO, every user of a consumer level 'Lithium' battery operated device should know the specific type used, perhaps marking it on the back of the device's case. Some types of 'Lithium,' batteries are rechargeable, while others are not. Be safe, if course, but there is no need to panic concerning consumer level devices.

[Dubaian]

there are a few substances that can create their own Oxygen

Have you told NASA? Will come in handy on a Mars shot.

I think you mean Na & Mg will 'burn' under water by stripping the O out of H2O. They do NOT create Oxygen.

Think my friends, please think learn my friend, learn - before you post nonsense. Which detracts from many other valid points in your posting.