How much Fike Blue will I need?

Because Fike Blue is sold as a performance-based design, a Battery Hazard Analysis (BHA) will be conducted to determine the battery cell, module or unit type and configuration; the amount of Fike Blue required, the appropriate method of detection, all electronic and mechanical components, and more. Therefore, the amount of Fike Blue is case-by-case and reliant on the aforementioned variables.

What is a BHA (Battery Hazard Analysis)?

As part of Fike’s overall consultancy and testing and validation offerings, a BHA is the pre-testing of an energy storage system’s (ESS) fire hazards and fire suppression system to design a system that ensures the customer will pass UL 9540A.

Once the customer has completed Fike’s pre-BHA checklist, we will quote and conduct the BHA at Fike’s Large-Scale Testing Facility in Blue Springs, Missouri. A comprehensive BHA report will be provided within a few weeks of completion of the BHA.

Will Fike Blue be “listed”?

While there are currently no standards to list to, Fike BHAs are in accordance with UL 9540A and proven to be representative of testing at a nationally recognized testing location (NRTL). Fike engineering and compliance are working diligently with key nationally recognized test laboratories to update or develop new standards specific to this solution.

Furthermore, while the Fike Blue suppression system has no approvals, the releasing panels, detection devices, cylinders, valves and other hardware do possess UL, FM and other local approvals.

What does the system look like, and how does it work?

The Fike Blue suppression system generally looks like a “spun” cylinder (similar to Fike SF1230) filled with Fike Blue and N2 pressurized to 175 psi with a valve connected to a piping network with fusible link nozzles. Each nozzle is installed in a battery module, and upon a detection and control system activating the valve, the cylinder will flood the piping network. Upon thermal activation of a given nozzle, the pressurized contents of the piping and cylinder will flood the affected compartment to submerse the compromised batteries with Fike Blue.

What type of detection and control is required?

Depending on the customer’s goals, numerous detection options can be used including from a battery management system (BMS) or from more traditional detection methods such as Li-ion Tamer, Fike Digital Temperature Sensing (DTS) Cable, gas detection or standard spot smoke or heat detection. The system will also include a conventional (SHP PRO) or addressable (Cheetah Xi) releasing panel.

Does Fike Blue evaporate upon discharge or leave a residue behind?

The majority of the liquid will remain after a discharge.

How is Fike Blue cleaned and disposed of after a discharge?

Because Fike Blue is non-toxic and not a PFAS, any technique to address liquid accumulation can be used, such as absorbent materials (wood shavings, cat litter, etc.) which may then be placed in a plastic drum for disposal.

Is Fike Blue considered a “clean agent” as defined by NFPA?

No. NFPA defines a clean agent as odorless, colorless and with no residue left behind. Fike Blue is “blue”, and will leave liquid behind. Therefore, Fike Blue is a “solution” or “suppressant” for battery fires and thermal runaway.

When will Data Sheets and Manuals be available?

All available data sheets can be found on my.fike.com. If you do not have an account, please email getblue@fike.com to request documentation.

If my current protection system works well, and there’s no regulatory requirement to change, why should I switch to Fike Blue?

It is important to understand exactly what level of protection your current system provides.

If you have passed UL 9540A testing with acceptable results, there may not be a need to replace your system for its current application. However, your manufacturing costs could be re-evaluated or your installation locations may be able to expand based on improved performance of a Fike Blue solution.

Fike Blue will suppress thermal runaway and prevent cascading to adjacent cells. If that is your goal for protection, Fike Blue is a solution.

How is the agent directed to only the module where the thermal event is detected? Is it an electrically actuated valve or a thermally fused element? Or something else?

Initial battery failure is detected by an incipient detector and/or the system Battery Management System (BMS), that initiates release of the Blue agent. The agent enters a piping network that is connected to all of the battery modules that are protected. Each module has a thermal element that will allow the agent to enter the module that is experiencing the event.

Natural leakage of the battery module will allow the agent to enter.

If the fire has already started before the Fike Blue agent is discharged, can the fire be extinguished, and will it act afterward on thermal runaway?

Yes, all uses with Fike Blue have been on battery cells that have started to flame or been undergoing thermal runaway.

Does removing the thermal protectors affect the performance of the battery bank?

Not that Fike has seen, but that may be a better question for a battery manufacturer to answer.

At the time of discharge, does Fike Blue remain in a liquid or gaseous state?

Always a liquid.

Through what does Fike Blue discharge? Is it similar to a nozzle or more like a sprinkler with a bulb?

A system consists of a custom Fike Blue container with Slide Valve technology. It has actuation and detection similar to other Fike suppression systems. The nozzles can vary based on application but utilize sprinkler/bulb but also an orifice control plate to dial in discharge rates.

Are the pipes pressurized while at rest?

No, the pipes are empty until the container is called to open. No agent will flow until a module has broken its nozzle bulb

Is thermal detection recommended?

Almost any means of detection can be utilized: smoke, thermal, gas, and these can all start by sending a signal to open the container, but the flow would not start until a module is hot enough to break the nozzle bulb.

What considerations should be taken for this type of system (e.g., room temperature, altitude, panel and detection requirements)?

All consideration is taken at the time a BHA is performed at Fike Research Center or on-site with the proper setup.

At what temperature does the system activate?

It depends on the set temperature of the nozzle bulb.

Does Fike Blue have an electronic component for detection, or does the nozzle itself fulfill the temperature detection function?

There is both. Electrical detection outside the modules, within the room/enclosure. Then nozzle “detection” at the nozzle bulb.

Is the system pressurized? Can it be used in electric mobile equipment like buses?

Yes, Fike Blue is pressurized to 175 psi. Fike is working with a few bus manufacturers at this time. If a customer is in charge of or has access to a particular bus model, sharing those details with Fike we can work towards a custom solution.

What needs to be demonstrated for manufacturers or insurance companies to approve the perforation of the modules?

A UL9540A test conducted and witnessed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) is required. Fike continues to help customers achieve this certification with Fike Blue, where they have failed many times with other options on the market.

Is the excess Fike Blue injected into the system, which exits through the nozzle, recoverable, or does it lose its effect?

It’s not recoverable, and after it has been exposed to the multiple chemicals and compositions of a Li Ion battery it should be handled and cleaned with care and hazmat consideration.

Is there any effect on the battery after applying Fike Blue?

Yes, it stops the fire, heat propagation and the thermal runaway event. The battery is damaged if any of that starts. Exposure to Fike Blue is conductive, but we have not seen it short out batteries. Batteries fully submerged in Blue for 48-72 hours have been drained of Blue and found to still be at full charge capacity.

What are the penetration details for the system piping get into the BESS unit and modules?

Fike Blue is a wetting agent, so it just requires the capability to submerge the individual lithium cells with the agent, which is typically easily performed by sprinkler heads designed within battery modules that contain multiple cells.

Is there an air vent in the piping?

No.

What is the current status of NFPA 855 and Fike Blue?

Fike is a member of the NFPA 855 task group on fire testing which includes the comments removing all the NFPA standards except 13 and 750. The committee says that removing those from the standard does not mean that those systems cannot be used but means they must be tested to UL 9540A to be used. At the last meeting, the group referred to Fike Blue as a TRM (thermal runaway management) system. We are continuing with that statement and writing sections for it in NFPA 855.