Coding An Digital Cigarette Hearth

Twenty-5 separate incidents of explosion and hearth involving electronic cigarettes (e-cigs or e-cigarettes) had been reported within the United States media between 2009 and 2014. The task of coding the source of the explosion and fire might be troublesome. This NFIRSGram will help hearth departments in coding these incidents in the Nationwide Hearth Incident Reporting system (NFIRS) appropriately.

What is an e-cigarette?

The e-cigarette, also referred to as a personal vaporizer or electronic nicotine delivery system, is a battery-powered device that simulates tobacco smoking by producing a heated vapor, which resembles smoke. There are hundreds of thousands of customers and tens of millions of gadgets in use right this moment, and the quantity is growing constantly. Usually, the gadgets use a heating factor generally known as an atomizer or cartomizer to vaporize a liquid solution. «Automatic» e-cigarettes activate the heater when a user inhales from the e-cigarette, while manual devices have an external swap that the consumer depresses to energize the heating component to create heated vapor.

E-cigarette incidents

Even with so many gadgets in use, fire-associated incidents are very infrequent. These incidents are typically described in the media as small explosions. The event happens out of the blue and is accompanied by a loud noise, a flash of light, smoke, and flames; the battery and other components are very often launched across the room. The ejected battery often lands on or next to combustible supplies, reminiscent of carpets, drapes or bedding, inflicting them to catch hearth.

What causes e-cigarette fires?

Descriptions and pictures of e-cigarette failures are in line with known failures of lithium-ion polymer batteries, and stories of lithium-ion battery failures in cell phones, laptops and other electronic units are readily discovered. The causes of catastrophic failure of a lithium-ion battery can include puncture, overcharge, overheating, short circuit, internal cell failure and manufacturing deficiencies.

When the temperature of the battery rises, the electrolyte within the lithium-ion battery can ignite, leading to overpressure, rupture of the cell, and ejection of the battery core from the case. (The electrolyte utilized in lithium-ion batteries is a flammable liquid.)

Nearly all of incidents reported by the media occurred while the battery was charging. A wide range of charging sources have been reported — laptop computer USB ports, auto USB adapters, desktop computer USB ports, and wall adapter USB ports.

The use of bizarre USB port charging connections could also be one supply of the issue. Few, if any, consumers understand that not all USB ports are «created equal.» The voltage and smoore present supplied by USB ports can vary. With out consulting the technical specs for the pc or USB energy adapter, it is tough or inconceivable to determine the facility equipped by any explicit USB port and even harder to find out whether it’s protected to make use of with a specific e-cigarette.

Plugging an e-cigarette into a «standard» USB port for recharge could topic the battery to greater current than is safe, resulting in thermal runaway that results in an explosion and/or hearth.

These facts illustrate the importance of using the proper charging units with all rechargeable batteries.

NFIRS coding

For more data on e-cigarette fires

Digital Cigarette Fires and Explosions

An overview of electronic cigarettes, including how they work, current fireplace and explosion incidents, and the influence of lithium-ion battery failure.

Have a question about coding an digital cigarette fireplace?

Please contact the NFIRS Support Middle: Monday — Friday between eight a.m. — 4:30 p.m. ET, at 888-382-3827 or by electronic mail at fema-nfirshelp@fema.dhs.gov.