VEX Battery accident

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by RoboChair

Using water is the correct method of extinguishing a Li-Ion pack. But is not for electronics because it will likely short out more things.

That is, of course, only if you care about the electronics more than you care about extinguishing a fire.

A small low-voltage battery is best extinguished in water, because of the large cooling capacity of the water. The goal is to get it to cool off.

Electrical systems that use voltages high enough to cause a shock must not be extinguished with water, as the water stream is conductive and can cause the person directing the water stream to get a lethal shock.

That being said, the BEST time to fight a fire is the moment it starts, when it is smallest. Just a warning though: If you are fighting a fire and it is getting larger, run away, warn others, and run away more.