Batteries

Batteries play a crucial role in powering devices that we rely on everyday, our cell phones, laptops, cordless tools, flashlights, portable vacuums, and the list goes on. A battery is a type of energy container that stores chemical energy which is converted to electrical energy. Some batteries can be recharged, some cannot. Batteries can be an ignition hazard by generating flammable gasses leading to an explosion, providing electrical energy for initiating a fire, or igntion and burning of the battery itself. Batteries come in different shapes and sizes to serve different purposes. Batteries are designed in mind to have safety features but they can fail as a result of thermal abuse, mechanical abuse, circuit conditions, manufacturing defects or design defects. It is crucial that when a battery is identified in the area origin as the ignition source, the above noted is taken into consideration when determining the cause of a battery failure.

Types of investigation