As lithium-powered devices multiply, so does the danger they pose once discarded. From vapes and laptops to power tools and electric scooters, lithium-ion batteries are increasingly ending up in waste streams—sometimes unnoticed—until it’s too late.
For recycling centers and waste facilities, this has created a growing challenge: preventing and extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires. Traditional suppression systems weren’t built for this risk. And in high-speed sortation environments, even one misrouted battery can trigger a fire that spreads fast and re-ignites later.
If your facility handles electronic waste, battery recycling, scrap metal, or municipal solid waste, it’s no longer a matter of “if”—but “when.”
The Hidden Risk in Everyday Waste
Lithium-ion batteries are often improperly disposed of—tossed in curbside bins, buried in bags of scrap, or embedded inside electronics sent for recycling. Damaged, crushed, or overheated cells can spark a chemical chain reaction known as thermal runaway. The result: a fire that’s self-oxygenating, high temperature, and extremely difficult to suppress.
Conveyor belts, processing lines, e-waste bins, shredders, and sortation areas are particularly vulnerable. A single battery can bring operations to a halt—and worse, endanger workers, damage equipment, and trigger costly downtime.
Why Traditional Suppression Systems Fall Short
Foam, water, CO₂, and inert gases are commonly used in commercial fire systems—but lithium-ion battery fires require a very different approach.
Most traditional systems are designed to suppress surface fires, not chemical chain reactions. They can cool surrounding materials or displace oxygen, but they can’t penetrate the battery’s core or stop thermal runaway. And even if the fire appears to be out, re-ignition hours later is common.
Facilities that rely solely on conventional suppression tools are taking a serious gamble.
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The Proven Solution: Clean Agent Suppression for Lithium-Ion Fires
Fire Suppression Solutions offers a proprietary clean agent system, TRF+, proven to suppress and prevent re-ignition of lithium-ion battery fires. It works by rapidly cooling battery cells and interrupting the thermal reaction at its source. This is not a foam or powder—it’s a specialized liquid chemistry designed to perform under the extreme conditions of a lithium-ion fire.
Our technology is already trusted in facilities across the U.S., including:
- Metal and battery recycling operations
- MRFs and e-waste processors
- Waste transfer stations
- Municipal sortation facilities
- Industrial warehouses and auto dismantling centers
Why Facilities Are Making the Switch to TRF+
- Rapid Knockdown: Cools and suppresses faster than water or CO₂
- Re-ignition Prevention: Neutralizes the reaction, not just the flames
- Clean and Non-Toxic: Leaves no residue, safe for equipment and personnel
- Scalable Installation: From handheld systems to integrated suppression lines
- Expert Support: Includes site assessments, system design, and staff training
Don’t wait for disaster. Learn how to defend your operation against lithium-ion battery fires >
Protecting Your Team and Bottom Line
A lithium-ion battery fire doesn’t just put your workers at risk—it jeopardizes your entire operation. Fires in sortation and waste handling systems can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage and lost revenue. The right suppression solution helps mitigate that risk and ensures your safety protocols evolve alongside the materials you handle.
Looking to protect your facility from lithium-ion fire hazards? Let’s talk.
Contact Fire Suppression Solutions today to learn more about the tools available for your specific application.
Download the free guide to lithium-ion fire suppression in recycling environments >
