Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Protection for Airports
Airports are rapidly transitioning to electrified operations, with lithium-ion batteries now powering everything from ground support equipment to passenger devices inside terminals. While this shift supports sustainability goals, it introduces a new and complex fire risk—thermal runaway events that traditional fire suppression methods cannot effectively control. Lithium-ion battery fire protection for airports requires a specialist approach focused on containment, cooling, and prevention of escalation. AVD Fire provides advanced solutions specifically engineered to mitigate these risks across both airside and terminal environments.
Browse Lithium Battery Fire ExtinguishersKey Risk Zones Across Airport Environments
Electric Ground Support Equipment (eGSE) Charging Areas
Electric baggage tugs, catering trucks, aircraft tow vehicles, and apron buses are increasingly battery-powered. Fires in these areas can quickly spread between vehicles and aircraft assets.
Baggage Handling and Conveyor Systems
Battery-powered scanners, PDAs, and automated systems present ignition risks within enclosed operational environments.
Aircraft Ground Servicing Equipment
Ground handling teams use a range of portable battery-powered tools and equipment when servicing aircraft. These include electric tools, lighting systems and communication devices powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Because this equipment is exposed to vibration, impact and changing temperatures during airside operations, damaged batteries may fail unexpectedly. Incidents occurring near aircraft structures or fuel systems present significant operational risks.
Airside Maintenance Workshops and Equipment Rooms
Airport engineering workshops often store and charge battery-powered tools and spare battery packs. Charging racks and storage cabinets may hold dozens of batteries connected to power for long periods, particularly overnight. If a battery enters thermal runaway in a workshop environment, the presence of electrical equipment and combustible materials can allow the fire to escalate quickly without immediate intervention.
Air Cargo Handling and Lithium Battery Shipments
Air cargo facilities regularly handle shipments containing lithium batteries, which are classified as dangerous goods. Damage during transport, packaging failures or internal battery faults can trigger thermal runaway events within cargo storage areas. Because cargo warehouses contain large volumes of packaged goods and freight, lithium battery fires can escalate rapidly if not contained early.
Airport Vehicle Depots and Fleet Parking Areas
Airport fleets include electric baggage tractors, security vehicles, passenger buses and maintenance vehicles. As electrification increases, fleet parking areas now contain growing numbers of lithium-ion batteries stored close together. Battery damage, charging faults or electrical failures within parked vehicles can initiate fires that may spread to nearby vehicles or infrastructure.
How AVD Fire Suppression Works
Lithium-ion battery fires are unlike any conventional fire — they progress rapidly, release toxic gases, generate extreme heat, and can reignite days or even weeks later. Standard extinguishers are ineffective against thermal runaway. AVD (Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion) is a revolutionary, certified extinguishing agent developed specifically to tackle these unique challenges — cooling cells, suppressing flames, and forming a physical barrier to prevent reignition.
Learn About AVD TechnologyAVD Is Applied To The Battery
AVD is discharged directly onto the lithium-ion battery using standard fire-fighting equipment — from portable extinguishers to large-volume trolley units and fixed suppression systems.
Rapid Cooling Of Battery Cells
The aqueous component immediately cools the battery cells, reducing the intense heat generated during thermal runaway and slowing the chain reaction within the cell.
Flames Are Suppressed
AVD acts to suppress the flames and extinguish the fire quickly, limiting the damage and losses caused by a rapidly propagating lithium-ion battery fire.
A Thermal Barrier Forms
As the water evaporates, a heat-resistant layer of vermiculite mineral deposits onto the battery surface, forming a physical oxygen and heat barrier to prevent reignition.
Thermal Propagation Is Blocked
AVD's non-flammable properties reduce thermal propagation between battery cells. It can also be applied as a fire break to prevent the fire spreading to surrounding materials and property
Safe, Clean & Non-Toxic
AVD contains only water and naturally occurring vermiculite mineral — it is PFAS-free, environmentally friendly, non-toxic to humans, animals, and plant life, and leaves no harmful residue.
Baggage Handling Tugs
Baggage handling tugs are increasingly powered by large lithium-ion battery systems to support low-emission airport operations. These vehicles operate continuously across airside environments and are frequently charged between shifts. Battery damage, electrical faults or overheating during charging can trigger thermal runaway, creating a fire risk close to aircraft, baggage systems and ground personnel.
Baggage Handling Tugs
Baggage handling tugs are increasingly powered by large lithium-ion battery systems to support low-emission airport operations. These vehicles operate continuously across airside environments and are frequently charged between shifts. Battery damage, electrical faults or overheating during charging can trigger thermal runaway, creating a fire risk close to aircraft, baggage systems and ground personnel.
Catering Vehicles
Electric catering vehicles are used to deliver food, beverages and supplies directly to aircraft. As fleets transition to EV platforms, the presence of high-capacity battery packs introduces a new fire risk during vehicle operation, parking or charging. A battery incident near an aircraft service area can escalate quickly due to confined spaces and proximity to aircraft structures.
Catering Vehicles
Electric catering vehicles are used to deliver food, beverages and supplies directly to aircraft. As fleets transition to EV platforms, the presence of high-capacity battery packs introduces a new fire risk during vehicle operation, parking or charging. A battery incident near an aircraft service area can escalate quickly due to confined spaces and proximity to aircraft structures.
Passenger Transport Buses
Electric passenger buses are increasingly used to transport travellers between terminals and aircraft stands. These vehicles carry high-capacity traction batteries designed for extended operational cycles. Battery damage, overheating or charging faults can result in thermal runaway incidents that pose risks to passengers, drivers and surrounding airport infrastructure.
Passenger Transport Buses
Electric passenger buses are increasingly used to transport travellers between terminals and aircraft stands. These vehicles carry high-capacity traction batteries designed for extended operational cycles. Battery damage, overheating or charging faults can result in thermal runaway incidents that pose risks to passengers, drivers and surrounding airport infrastructure.
Ground Support Vehicles
Ground support vehicles include a wide range of operational equipment such as belt loaders, cargo loaders and utility transport vehicles. As these systems transition to electric power, multiple lithium-ion batteries may be operating across the airside environment simultaneously. Failures within these batteries can create localised fire risks that require rapid suppression to prevent escalation.
Ground Support Vehicles
Ground support vehicles include a wide range of operational equipment such as belt loaders, cargo loaders and utility transport vehicles. As these systems transition to electric power, multiple lithium-ion batteries may be operating across the airside environment simultaneously. Failures within these batteries can create localised fire risks that require rapid suppression to prevent escalation.
Emergency Fire Response
Airport emergency response fleets are also exploring electric firefighting and rescue vehicles as part of sustainability initiatives. While these vehicles provide operational benefits, they introduce lithium-ion battery systems into emergency response operations. Battery fires within emergency vehicles could complicate response activities and require specialised suppression solutions.
Emergency Fire Response
Airport emergency response fleets are also exploring electric firefighting and rescue vehicles as part of sustainability initiatives. While these vehicles provide operational benefits, they introduce lithium-ion battery systems into emergency response operations. Battery fires within emergency vehicles could complicate response activities and require specialised suppression solutions.
Fuelling Trucks
Although traditionally diesel powered, some airport operators are exploring electric fuelling support vehicles and electric infrastructure around refuelling areas. Introducing lithium-ion battery systems into environments where aviation fuel is present requires careful risk management. A battery fire near fuelling operations could present serious safety challenges and must be controlled quickly.
Fuelling Trucks
Although traditionally diesel powered, some airport operators are exploring electric fuelling support vehicles and electric infrastructure around refuelling areas. Introducing lithium-ion battery systems into environments where aviation fuel is present requires careful risk management. A battery fire near fuelling operations could present serious safety challenges and must be controlled quickly.
Aircraft Taxi Tug
Aircraft taxi tugs are powerful vehicles used to move aircraft on the ground. Many airports are replacing diesel tugs with electric aircraft tow tractors to reduce emissions. These vehicles contain large lithium-ion battery packs capable of delivering high torque. If a battery failure occurs, the resulting thermal runaway event could create a significant fire hazard in close proximity to aircraft.
Aircraft Taxi Tug
Aircraft taxi tugs are powerful vehicles used to move aircraft on the ground. Many airports are replacing diesel tugs with electric aircraft tow tractors to reduce emissions. These vehicles contain large lithium-ion battery packs capable of delivering high torque. If a battery failure occurs, the resulting thermal runaway event could create a significant fire hazard in close proximity to aircraft.