What is Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion?
An advanced, environmentally-safe suppressing agent engineered specifically for lithium-ion battery fires — the next-generation hazard.
AVD: Advanced Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Suppression Technology
Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion (AVD) is a first-of-its-kind extinguishing agent that was developed specifically to combat the growing danger of lithium-ion battery fires. Unlike conventional agents, AVD’s unique mineral-based chemistry works at a cellular level to interrupt thermal runaway — the chain reaction at the heart of every battery fire.
AVD creates a coating that wraps individual battery cells, insulating them from heat transfer and starving the runaway reaction of the energy it needs to spread. This dual mechanism — cooling and isolation — is what sets AVD apart from every other agent on the market.
Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries that have experienced thermal runaway can re-ignite hours or even days later. AVD’s protective mineral coating dramatically reduces this risk, making it the preferred technology for long-term fire safety management in battery-heavy environments.
What are the three main causes of thermal runaway?
Electrical Abuse
Overcharging, deep discharging, or high current draw beyond the cell\'s design limits generates excess heat inside the battery that its thermal management system cannot dissipate fast enough. This is the leading cause of thermal runaway in consumer and industrial devices.
Mechanical Damage
Crushing, puncture, or deformation of the cell destroys the separator membrane between the anode and cathode. The resulting internal short circuit generates an instantaneous and extreme surge of heat that immediately triggers thermal runaway — often with little or no warning.
Thermal Abuse
Exposure to external heat sources — such as fire, direct sunlight, or hot storage environments — raises the cell\'s temperature beyond its safe operating threshold. Once that threshold is crossed, the exothermic decomposition reactions within the cell become self-sustaining and uncontrollable.
Vermiculite mineral — the core of AVD
What is AVD made of?
AVD is a water-and-vermiculite extinguishing agent that has been developed over the past few years in response to the demand for solutions that can deal with high-temperature lithium-ion battery fires.
Vermiculite is a naturally-occurring mineral and is the name given to a group of hydrated laminar magnesium-iron-aluminium silicone minerals. It is hydrophilic, mined globally, non-toxic, and has exceptional insulation properties.
When the AVD agent is discharged onto a burning or threatened battery, the vermiculite platelets coat each individual cell, creating a highly effective thermal barrier that interrupts the heat transfer between adjacent cells — stopping the propagation of thermal runaway in its tracks.
Is AVD Environmentally Safe?
- Yes, AVD is environmentally friendly.
- AVD is an aqueous dispersion of vermiculite in water and contains only these two naturally occurring components of the soil.
- AVD is both environmentally friendly and non-toxic to humans, plant life, and animals.
- AVD is thermally and chemically safe when applied to normal temperatures, and is also exempt from REACH regulations.
- AVD does not contain any poly-fluorinated alkylating substances (AVD is PFAS-free).
What are the benefits of AVD?
The AVD lithium-ion fire protection product range is a breakthrough product that provides a solution to an otherwise unsolved problem. AVD's unsurpassed performance includes the following key benefits — none of which are available from any existing conventional agent.
Extinguishes Li-Ion Fires
AVD extinguishes fires burning within lithium battery cells — something conventional agents cannot do. It penetrates the cell casing to tackle the source of the reaction.
Prevents Re-Ignition
AVD's vermiculite coating creates a persistent thermal barrier between cells, dramatically reducing the risk of dangerous re-ignition hours after the initial fire event.
Safe for Humans
Non-toxic and PFAS-free. AVD is safe to use around people and animals, and clean-up after discharge is straightforward with no hazardous waste concerns.
Wide Application Range
Can be applied as a first-attack to prevent propagation across packs, or as a knock-back to protect adjacent cells across EV, energy storage, recycling, and industrial applications.
NTA 8133 Approved
AVD is one of the first fire extinguishers to carry the NTA 8133 certification — the internationally recognised standard specifically developed for lithium-ion battery fire suppression.
Environmentally Friendly
Composed entirely of naturally-occurring minerals. AVD is exempt from REACH regulations, contains no fluorinated compounds, and breaks down harmlessly in the environment.
What makes AVD unique?
AVD is a novel extinguishing agent which has been specifically developed to tackle the unique risks of Li-ion battery fires. It can be applied to both Class A (solid combustibles) and Class B (flammable liquid) fires, while simultaneously targeting the specific challenges of battery thermal runaway — no other single agent can do this.
AVD works by stifling the fire, extinguishing the flames, and buying time and space to limit the spread of cells in the same way as the fire retardant used to treat forest fires.
AVD Fire has conducted hundreds of fire tests to develop AVD and offers a wide range of certified firefighting products including:
- Portable fire extinguishers (1L, 2L, 6L, 9L and 25L)
- Fire blankets (multiple sizes)
- Fire resistance containers
- Site & vehicle systems
- Performance independently tested outside the scope of conventional standards to reflect real-world scenarios
Testing & Certification
AVD Fire — Commitment to Quality. Our manufacturing facility is ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certified, providing our customers with peace of mind when using our products.
Certified to the highest global standards
We place great importance on the manufacture of high-quality products which meet and exceed our customers' expectations. Our products are tested to all applicable National and International Standards. Our manufacturing facility is ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certified.
Verified by accredited third parties
AVD Fire products have been certified to a range of standards covering: EN 3 Proven to show CE Mark (European specification) compliant; BSI Kitemark Product & Quality Tested by BSI; LPS Equipment Standard for Portable Extinguishers; and AVD is NTA 8133 Fire test performance approved (for Li-ion battery compatibility).
AVD is a UL Recognised Component for Class A Hazards under file number EX28967
Lithium Battery Fire Tests for Portable Fire Extinguishers
As Lithium-ion batteries become increasingly prevalent across numerous industries, the need for specialised fire safety measures corresponding to their unique fire hazards has never been more critical. Whilst globally recognised standards and test protocols specifically for portable fire extinguishers addressing lithium-ion battery fires are yet to be established, we stand at the forefront of innovation in this field.
AVD Extinguishers are NTA 8133 Approved!
Developed in collaboration with KIWA and the Royal Netherlands standardisation Institute, the NTA 8133 technical assessment is currently the only standard in place to test the performance of portable fire extinguishers on Lithium-ion battery fires.
We can confirm that AVD, available in both 6ltr and 9ltr capacities, proudly carry NTA 8133 approval.
In addition, our UL Listed AVD6L, 6 Litre portable Fire extinguisher has also been third-party witness tested by UL at our very own test facility in the UK to assess the AVD6L extinguisher performance on battery fires.
Each battery fire test was performed in accordance with the test principles outlined in the Dutch technical assessment, NTA 8133. The purpose of the testing was to evaluate whether the Model AVD6L, 6 litre portable fire extinguisher available through Victory Fire and Gas in the USA, could effectively suppress, extinguish and prevent re-ignition of lithium-ion battery fires with nominal capacities of 440Wh and 590Wh.
AVD met the NTA test requirements to extinguish, prevent re-ignition and suppress propagation to the other batteries and, hence we deem the AVD6L extinguisher suitable for extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires.
AVD Fire has years of experience with Lithium Battery Fires
During our decade-long investment into R&D focused on developing Fire Protection Products targeting the unique risks posed by Lithium-ion Batteries, we have conducted 100’s of Fire tests and developed a deep knowledge of how to tackle the associated Fire.
In the development of AVD Fire products, we have tested many different types of battery (LFP, NMC, LCO, LMO and NCA) and AVD has proven to be effective on them all.
Our AVD products have been third-party performance tested against various Battery fire test protocols in collaboration with independent Testing and Certification institutes from around the world.
Please get in touch with AVD Fire to find out more about AVD Fire performance testing.
AVD Fire Accreditation Partnerships
Want to Know More About Our Products?
Find out more on our Products page, view certified testing videos, or visit our Resource Centre to download technical datasheets, safety data sheets, and test reports.
Browse All ProductsMake AVD Part of Your Fire Protection
Contact our team of lithium battery fire safety experts to discuss your specific application, request a demonstration, or find your nearest approved distributor.
Contact Us