Case Analysis
A group of Ni-MH batteries were delivered by air from Hong Kong to Germany as ordinary air cargo, the delivered cargo accord with ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air or special provision A123 of IATA Dangerous Goods Regulation and can be delivered as ordinary goods.
It was found that at least one group of batteries had sudden fire at unknown time after the goods reached the consignee's warehouse, though no damage caused and no one injured, dangerous goods department noted why they fired.
Survey, Findings and Remedial Measures
Dangerous goods department investigated the case, the result showed:
A.There are five batteries for each group of battery, outer package is insulated and batteries are linked by metal components.
B.Batteries might be rough loaded or unloaded, outer packing was damaged, and the battery crust was exposed and could touch one another.
C.Collision and vibration occurred when delivery, there was "bridging" among the battery crust (it was not short circuit.)
D.The heating power of arc generated by the "bridging" among batteries could ignite the combustible materials and caused fire.
The relevant battery manufacturer noted the problem and measures had been taken to avoid the recurrence of the incident and to improve the packing of the batteries. Thickening the insulating materials of the batteries, making the metal part of the remote batteries insulation, improving the plastic bubble packaging. The batteries can be airlifted safely through these measures.
Suggestion for Shippers / Forwarders and Air Companies
Consulting the experience we got from the incident, following additional security measures were recommended to ensure the safe transport of Ni-MH batteries as ordinary goods.
Advice for Ni-MH battery manufacturers or shippers;
A.Outer package should be boxes of good quality or fiberboard boxes so that goods could withstand brutal handling.
B.Marks and labels are added on the outer package in appropriate language (such as source and destination languages)
Advice for forwarder and Air Company:
A.Certificate should be required to prove whether there contains Ni-MH batteries in the general air cargo.
B.If there contains Ni-MH batteries, apart from checked whether the batteries accord with rules A123, goods should also be handled with care.