What is a battery fire containment product?

A battery fire containment product is typically an insulated bag or box designed to contain and mitigate the effects of smoke and fire from a portable electronic device entering thermal runaway. In the event of a thermal runaway event, a device can be placed into a containment product, which will help to contain any visible smoke, shrapnel, sparks, or flames emitting from the device.

How do battery fire containment products work?

A battery fire containment product acts as a secure enclosure that isolates the fire and contains smoke and debris from a device entering thermal runaway. It typically features a combination of fire-resistant materials, insulation materials and inner liners, and secure closures, which all work together to help manage heat and prevent the escape of flames, smoke, or shrapnel. By enclosing the fire risk and smoke, containment products offer more time to get the plane safely on the ground and help ensure the safety of passengers and crew.

Why do safety standards matter for battery fire containment products?

In order to conform to our standard, UL 5800, a battery fire containment product must undergo rigorous testing with actual lithium-ion cells driven into thermal runaway, to ensure it can contain and mitigate flames, shrapnel, and visible smoke. During these tests, all cells are allowed to burn for up to six hours, if necessary. Products that contain all flames, shrapnel, and visible smoke are classified as “Performance Level 1,” and products that contain all flames and shrapnel, but limit smoke to no more than 5 cubic meters are classified as “Performance Level 2.” If a containment product successfully passes these tests, it receives certification to UL 5800 (see Manufacturer B in these FAA testing videos). Products that are not certified to UL 5800 cannot provide the same level of assurance.

Why aren’t battery fire containment products required on all aircraft?

In the long term, we would like to see a certified fire containment device on board every aircraft. Many containment products came on the market before a safety standard was available. At the request of the airlines, ULSE worked quickly to publish UL 5800 in December 2020, and manufacturers are working to develop products that can meet its requirements. However, only a handful of battery fire containment products have received certification to UL 5800 thus far. And while we do want a certified containment product on every aircraft, we would also like to see a future in which containment products are rarely, if ever, deployed. And that begins with passenger education.

How can passengers contribute to safer skies?

Whether on the ground or in the sky, the first step in fire safety is always prevention. Passengers need to be aware of the risk and act accordingly by always keeping rechargeable devices in arm’s reach, never packing devices in checked luggage, and by knowing when to notify flight attendants at the first signs of thermal runaway. According to ULSE data, half (50%) of Americans admit to knowing nothing about these batteries, and almost 2 in 5 (38%) of U.S. passengers admit to putting rechargeable devices in their checked luggage, where they can’t be accessed during flight. Containment devices are a helpful tool in battery safety on board, but they are just one component of a layered safety approach, and not the only solution. If customers are informed on the dangers of lithium-ion battery fires and best practices for avoiding them, it will significantly reduce the need for flight attendants to deploy them in the air.

Five Safety Tips for the Fourth of July - UL Standards & Engagement

Alors que la Journée de l’Indépendance approche, les Américains de partout planifient des célébrations remplies de feux d’artifice, de grillades, de navigation et de moments passés avec leurs proches. Alors que l’excitation s’intensifie, il est crucial de maintenir la sécurité au premier plan tout au long des festivités.

Pour mieux comprendre la manière dont les Américains abordent la sécurité le 4 juillet, ULSE Insights a récemment interrogé des familles au sujet de leurs plans de célébration.

Le 4 juillet, les seuls éléments qui devraient faire scintiller les feux d'artifice sont les feux d'artifice, et le seul élément en feu devrait être votre barbecue. Suivez ces conseils pour rester en sécurité :

Charger et stocker les rechargeables de manière sécuritaire : Assurez que les appareils portables tels que les haut-parleurs, les lampes frontales et les batteries de secours soient protégés contre les dommages ou la chaleur afin d’éviter les incendies de batterie.
Optez pour des appareils électroniques certifiés : Vérifiez que les produits sont certifiés selon les normes de sécurité et portent les marques de certification de sociétés de test indépendantes de confiance.
Assurez-vous d’avoir un détecteur de monoxyde de carbone : Si vous utilisez un générateur pour des activités comme le camping ou la caravaning, installez un détecteur de monoxyde de carbone afin de détecter les niveaux dangereux de CO.
Soyez prudents autour des sources de monoxyde de carbone : Ne jamais utiliser des grilles, des fours de camp ou des générateurs à l'intérieur ou près d'espaces clos où la CO pourrait se déposer.
Utilisez toujours des gilets de sauvetage en mer : Les normes ULSE couvrent les gilets de sauvetage et les dispositifs de flottation personnels pour adultes, enfants et nourrissons. Choisissez toujours un gilet de sauvetage certifié et correctement ajusté, adapté à la taille, au poids et à l’activité de l’utilisateur (pas de brassards gonflables ni de “ floaties ”). Les gilets de sauvetage correctement ajustés sauvent des vies lors de la navigation en bateau et lors d’autres activités aquatiques.

Lire plus : Liste de contrôle de sécurité pour les voyages d’été 2026 d’ULSE

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Cinq conseils de sécurité pour le 4 juillet

Lire plus : Liste de contrôle de sécurité pour les voyages d’été 2026 d’ULSE

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