Promoting Lithium Battery Fire Safety Measures in Hospitals

F&K Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, F&K) and the Kyoto Prefectural Hospital Cooperative have begun providing fire-resistant bags to medical institutions as a measure against the increasing social problem of lithium-ion battery fire risks.

In hospitals, the number of devices using lithium batteries, such as laptops, tablets, medical equipment, and mobile devices, is increasing, requiring safety measures to prepare for potential ignition accidents. Especially in medical facilities where many patients are recuperating, proactive measures to minimize the impact of a fire are crucial.

The fire-resistant bags provided this time use double-layer fire-resistant silicone fiberglass fabric, are made of 100% fire-resistant material, and can withstand high temperatures up to approximately 1000°F (about 550°C). By using them for lithium battery storage, it is expected to reduce the risk of fire spreading to the surroundings in the event of ignition.

Furthermore, with the recent spread of mobile devices, the importance of proper disposal and resource circulation of used lithium batteries is also increasing. The government, through the Small Home Appliance Recycling Law aimed at recycling used small electronic devices, has designated mobile phones, tablet devices, and mobile batteries as items subject to recycling, making the promotion of mobile battery recycling a social issue.

F&K and the Kyoto Prefectural Hospital Cooperative aim to promote the safe storage and management of lithium batteries in medical institutions, raise awareness for the proper collection and recycling of mobile batteries from the perspective of resource circulation, and contribute to reducing fire risks in medical institutions and strengthening disaster prevention measures in medical settings through the introduction of fire-resistant bags, thereby ensuring the safety of patients and medical personnel.