STANDISH, Maine - CellBlock Fire Containment Systems announced today its modular battery charging rack has obtained regulatory approval by the FDNY for use in charging lithium-ion batteries. The Charge Safe Battery Rack is the first and only approved system allowing for the bypass of NYC fire code 309.3, requiring 2 feet of separation between charging batteries not only adjacent but omnidirectional.
“Until now, even a fortified 10x10 battery fire area would be spatially inadequate for 50kWh of stored energy. Our system is not only the safest charging system, it requires 1/12th the space” said Dylan Vandemark, CellBlock FCS CTO and Founder. “Our team is excited to not only offer safety in storage but passive fire suppression and measurable cost savings as perhaps the most impressive added value.”
Weeks ago, a micro-mobility battery injured seven and destroyed a Bronx grocery store, requiring more than 200 firefighters to extinguish the chaos. Micro-mobility batteries have caused countless fires in NYC so far this year and fatalities are adding up.
“The CellSafe Battery Rack grew out of an idea that was born after meeting with a customer on 35th street”, said Eric Frederickson, Managing Director, Operations for Call2Recycle. “Their battery charging procedure was really a problem, and not only a code issue, but also a safety issue. As part of NYC’s fire code, e-bike or e-scooter batteries must be kept a long distance apart while being charged, which is generally a good idea. However, the problem is that no one in New York has the space to do this. And even if you do have the space, you’re not protected if a battery fire would occur while charging. After a lot of engineering, testing, and working with City code officials, the Charge Safe Battery Rack solves all these issues. Call2Recycle is thrilled that New York businesses can now safely and compliantly charge micro-mobility batteries.”
CellBlock modular charging racks were designed for the micro-mobility batteries in mind, to mitigate thermal runaway risk, with separation between each battery, up to five levels of storage, and increased safety features unseen until now.
Beyond individual battery containment, the battery racks include the lithium-ion fire suppressant CellBlockEX, which is deployed when fire is present, and in a recent test at CSA Labs in Ohio, the CellBlockEX deployment suppressed a thermal runaway in only 3 seconds.
Mitigation of thermal runaway risk is on everyone’s mind, especially in NYC, where e-mobility innovation thrives.
From charging to transport, and recalls to safety kits, fire safety products now exist to make lithium-ion batteries, and urban micro-mobility charging in NYC, safer.
About CellBlockFCS
CellBlock FCS provides modern solutions for a lithium-ion powered world. Stored energy is increasingly present in our lives. CellBlock strives to match the speed of emerging technology with engineered products that address safety concerns at every level — from development to deployment. The CellBlock brand is trusted Worldwide by airline crews, mining companies, battery recyclers, technology labs, hospital staff, transportation professionals, and more.