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After commenting on a thread a few days ago in relation to lipo storage where I had mentioned about using a A4 document fireproof box for lipo storage i've since made a bit of effort into finding out more info on better safe lipo storage, mainly due to reading some of the posts that highlighted a few issues and got me thinking and I stand corrected on a couple of things.
When I thought about storing lipos indoors during the colder winter months (my garage seems colder than outside!) the main thing for me was to contain the flames and heat etc to prevent the worst from happening. Someone mentioned about using a commercial fireproof box and at first it seemed like a good 'off the shelf' solution but I hadnt really given much thought to the gasses produced in the event of a lipo going up in flames inside and this was pointed out in a previous thread. I have since spoken to a very good friend of mine in the village who's a full time fireman and we had a long chat and he went off to look into it further and discuss with the lads on his shift. They talked about it and looked at some youtube videos of lipo fires etc to try and get a better idea of what happens if a lipo goes up and the potential consequenses of the fire. They said that there would be little chance of actually putting out the lipo as it's just so intense but would more than likely just end up dealing with the fire caused afterwards. It became clear that a document fireproof box was NOT a good off the shelf solution after all!! Mainly because of the build up of gasses from inside the box created by the VERY hot and intense fire that comes from a lipo and having no way of escaping from the box and creating pressure inside the box, a small bomb in basic terms as pointed out especially, as like me, most of us would be keeping more than one lipo in the box, I have 10 x 6s 4000's and various other rx packs etc for example.
So, what to use instead? Yes, as some people do, you could use an ex army ammo box but this as discussed probably wasn't perfect either due to them (not 100% sure here though) not being vented well enough to deal with pressure or lined with a fire proof lining to retain the heat created by the fire.
The following is just an idea for something that may be a better design (as discussed with the firemen and is just opinion of course) If you made a steel box with four studs or similar 10mm tall, one on each cormer at the top and then an oversized lid (maybe 5mm all round) which would sit on the studs therefore creating an air gap for any pressure etc to vent. The sides of the lid would need to be wide/tall enough (100mm for example) to cover the air gap and go down the sides of the box a good bit when fitted. Inside the box should be lined with a fireproof board to stop the box from getting hot in the event of a fire. In an ideal world the box would be off the floor on something like a breeze block etc.
THIS IS JUST AN IDEA FOR DISCUSSION SO DONT SHOOT US!!!!
Personally my charging side of things is sorted and safe as possible and I think that I treat my packs as carefully as possible but we've all seen the videos of what can happen if lipo's go up in flames and i've read threads like this myself before so dare say there will be negative comments etc etc blah blah, there always is, but it's really just to get some good thought and ideas going on a good 'proper' solution for storing lipo packs indoors as a lot of people do, myself included (although only during the colder months), as i think it's clear that there is a lot of people who have not given this much thought, if any.
We all know the chances are slim of this happening in reality, after all, lots of things can cause a fire in your house, but I for one would be pretty ****ed off if we had a fire that could have been prevented with just a bit of thought.
So i'm now ducking...........
George
When I thought about storing lipos indoors during the colder winter months (my garage seems colder than outside!) the main thing for me was to contain the flames and heat etc to prevent the worst from happening. Someone mentioned about using a commercial fireproof box and at first it seemed like a good 'off the shelf' solution but I hadnt really given much thought to the gasses produced in the event of a lipo going up in flames inside and this was pointed out in a previous thread. I have since spoken to a very good friend of mine in the village who's a full time fireman and we had a long chat and he went off to look into it further and discuss with the lads on his shift. They talked about it and looked at some youtube videos of lipo fires etc to try and get a better idea of what happens if a lipo goes up and the potential consequenses of the fire. They said that there would be little chance of actually putting out the lipo as it's just so intense but would more than likely just end up dealing with the fire caused afterwards. It became clear that a document fireproof box was NOT a good off the shelf solution after all!! Mainly because of the build up of gasses from inside the box created by the VERY hot and intense fire that comes from a lipo and having no way of escaping from the box and creating pressure inside the box, a small bomb in basic terms as pointed out especially, as like me, most of us would be keeping more than one lipo in the box, I have 10 x 6s 4000's and various other rx packs etc for example.
So, what to use instead? Yes, as some people do, you could use an ex army ammo box but this as discussed probably wasn't perfect either due to them (not 100% sure here though) not being vented well enough to deal with pressure or lined with a fire proof lining to retain the heat created by the fire.
The following is just an idea for something that may be a better design (as discussed with the firemen and is just opinion of course) If you made a steel box with four studs or similar 10mm tall, one on each cormer at the top and then an oversized lid (maybe 5mm all round) which would sit on the studs therefore creating an air gap for any pressure etc to vent. The sides of the lid would need to be wide/tall enough (100mm for example) to cover the air gap and go down the sides of the box a good bit when fitted. Inside the box should be lined with a fireproof board to stop the box from getting hot in the event of a fire. In an ideal world the box would be off the floor on something like a breeze block etc.
THIS IS JUST AN IDEA FOR DISCUSSION SO DONT SHOOT US!!!!
Personally my charging side of things is sorted and safe as possible and I think that I treat my packs as carefully as possible but we've all seen the videos of what can happen if lipo's go up in flames and i've read threads like this myself before so dare say there will be negative comments etc etc blah blah, there always is, but it's really just to get some good thought and ideas going on a good 'proper' solution for storing lipo packs indoors as a lot of people do, myself included (although only during the colder months), as i think it's clear that there is a lot of people who have not given this much thought, if any.
We all know the chances are slim of this happening in reality, after all, lots of things can cause a fire in your house, but I for one would be pretty ****ed off if we had a fire that could have been prevented with just a bit of thought.
So i'm now ducking...........
George
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