TSA Limits Lithum Batteries on Airplanes

[Flashback]

"The U.S. Transportation and Security Administration has issued new rules limiting travel with lithium batteries. As of January 1, no spare lithium batteries are allowed in checked luggage. Batteries carried in the cabin are subject to limitations on per-battery and total lithium content, and spare batteries must have the terminals covered. If you're returning home from the holidays with new toys, be sure to check out the new restrictions before you pack."

 

[NYCguy]

Since I'm not going to read the TSA website myself (even typing those 3 letters together makes my blood boil), is someone able to post a synopsis of the reason behind this decision? Not that I would ever accuse the TSA of specious reasoning. Perhaps they fear that a MacGyver-esque would-be terrorist could engineer a bomb using a spare lithium battery, a can of cola, a replica Rolex from Hong Kong and some iPod headphones?

 

[Dave Noble]

No need to go to a TSA site, the information is on the DOT site at Safe Travel as referenced by Flashware though there is unsurprisingly no explanation on the reasons behind the change

Dave

 

[oz_mark]

For most people it won't have much impact (I don't know how many people travel with lithium batteries, rechargeable ones are lithium ion). And the ones you have have to be in your cabin baggage.

Some people (e.g. photographers) might have problems with the limit on lithium content, but I dare say I have never seen a battery state its lithium content.

 

[serfty]

Apparently there is a fire risk with Lithium batteries.

• Only applies to 'loose' spare batteries in checked luggage.
• Can be carried in checked luggage only if installed.

Link to TSA Site: Safe Travel with Batteries & Devices

• Keep batteries and equipment with you, or in carry-on baggage - not in your checked baggage! In the cabin, flight crew can better monitor conditions, and have access to the batteries or device if a fire does occur.
• Buy batteries from reputable sources and only use batteries approved for your device – avoid counterfeits! A counterfeit battery is more likely to cause a fire in your equipment – costing you more in the long run, and compromising safety.
• Look for the mark of an independent testing or standards organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• Do not carry recalled or damaged batteries on aircraft. Check battery recall information at the manufacturer's website, or at the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
• Only charge batteries which you are sure are rechargeable! Non-rechargeable batteries are not designed for recharging, and become hazardous if placed in a battery charger. A non-rechargeable battery placed in a charger may overheat or cause damage later.
• Only use a charger compatible with your rechargeable battery – don’t mix and match!
• If original packaging is not available for spare batteries, effectively insulate battery terminals by isolating the batteries from contact with other batteries and metal. Do not permit a loose battery to come in contact with metal objects, such as coins, keys, or jewelry.
• Place each battery in its own protective case, plastic bag, or package, or place tape across the battery's contacts to isolate terminals. Isolating terminals prevents short-circuiting.
• Take steps to prevent crushing, puncturing, or putting a high degree of pressure on the battery, as this can cause an internal short-circuit, resulting in overheating.
• If you must carry a battery-powered device in any baggage, package it to prevent inadvertent activation. For instance, you should pack a cordless power tool in a protective case, with a trigger lock engaged. If there is an on-off switch or a safety switch, tape it in the "off" position.

More:

Image of a lithium ion battery.Lithium-ion batteries, often found in laptop computers, differ from primary lithium batteries, which are often used in cameras. Some newer AA-size batteries are also primary lithium.

While there is no explosion hazard associated with either kind of battery, the Federal Aviation Administration has studied fire hazards associated with both primary and lithium-ion cells, and their extensive research is publicly available. As a result of this research, the FAA no longer allows large, palletized shipments of these batteries to be transported as cargo on passenger aircraft.

The research also shows that an explosion will not result from shorting or damaging either lithium-ion or primary lithium batteries. Both are, however, extremely flammable. Primary lithium batteries cannot be extinguished with firefighting agents normally carried on aircraft, whereas lithium-ion batteries are easily extinguished by most common extinguishing agents, including those carried on board commercial aircraft.

TSA has and will continue to work closely with the FAA on potential aviation safety and security issues, and TSA security officers are thoroughly and continually trained to find explosive threats. TSA does not have plans to change security regulations for electronic devices powered by lithium batteries.

 

[NYCguy]

Interesting piece in the New York Times today, about the process known as "security screening". Much of what is said will be no surprise to those who haunt these pages, I'm sure...

 

[straitman]

For most people it won't have much impact (I don't know how many people travel with lithium batteries, rechargeable ones are lithium ion). And the ones you have have to be in your cabin baggage.

Some people (e.g. photographers) might have problems with the limit on lithium content, but I dare say I have never seen a battery state its lithium content.

This is interesting as there have been safety alerts throughout the aviation industry about various batteries in power tools and the like causing fires in aircraft baggage and/or freight. One example was the battery of a cordless drill (in checked luggage) causing smoke and a near fire in a 747.

 

[ethernet]

Another moronic action,probably not justified on any sane risk assessment, say compared to drunk/hungover /overweight/tired/sleepy pilots. This is self regulating, as surprise, most passengers WANT their luggage back.

Everone knows there is heavy protection in Li battery packs, although that does not extend to $5 cordless drills with fake UL stickers, or the odd butane lighter thrown in. Or a brat that dunks his PSP/ipod in Coke to see what happens

If they want to be pro-active, time to recall fake, or maldesigned consumer products that are electrically suss. As for recalled battery packs, time for consumer affairs to get serious, and have a recall with teeth, and a bounty for unreturned packs after a fair period. We have seen this self-certification degenerate into a farce.

NB: Still waiting for people who do NOT switch their mobiles off to cop a fine - or is that a myth too.

Joe sixback would have no idea his/her mobile/pda or ipod, actually contains said batteries

 

[straitman]

Another moronic action,probably not justified on any sane risk assessment, say compared to drunk/hungover /overweight/tired/sleepy pilots.

A really sweeping statement :!:

Would you care to elaborate :?:

 

[ethernet]

The comments on Slashdot sum up most things:
Slashdot | TSA Limits Lithium Batteries on Airplanes, but as usual there is no explanation as to *why* lithium ion batteries are now illegal to carry in the hold. Really inexcusable.

The press release, is otherwise fairly informative and most importantly educational. An advisory saying please put your batteries in a case/waterproof bag would have been a superior decision.

Such batteries contain polyswitches that reduce the risk to what must be a negligible level. Just a few once respectable companies have been caught out using 'fake' polyswitches, and deficient QA. These are the criminals that need to be stomped upon.

There have been numerous inept handling of existing regulations by the TSA, including on here and including many by people currently or formerly employed by the TSA itself. Journalists and Government watchdog officials are forever getting banned items that are infinitely more dangerous than a battery past screeners. (Such as photographers flash packs - with or without batteries - in combination with the no liquids rule, which places volitile alcohol in the baggage - next to batteries/ ignition potentials.

On the surface this decision appears not to change much. However, more boarding delays, as black batteries get spotted in peoples luggage - ie camcorder and photographers. Baggage has then have to be pulled - culumulative delays - think GP circuit, or a photographers convention.

The goons at the gates - inspecting more 'black xray blobs', and asking peoples to fish out batteries for inspection - just like the laptop trays slowed things down a tad.

Thus, on a risk assessment basis- a poor outcome. An advisory, or recommendation would have been better, but hey, they TSA are apparently just enforcing some regulation, without putting out the cost/benefit numbers, or thinking things out in a practical sense - or not one that they would care to publish.

As for sleepy/bushed pilots see here: TRAVEL ADVISORY: CORRESPONDENT'S REPORT; Asleep in the coughpit? Automation's Nightmare - New York Times

The point being, planes only have to be about 92% working to take off/to fly . A stray battery has negligible risk, say compared to an impacted nose, or sensor malfunction. or a pilot feeling bushed. At a project meeting - it has been said executives will spend more time discussing the bike shed, than the nuclear reactior. One thinks the TSA has similarly, lost track of the big picture.

Sources say there are not enough pilots, and one can earn heaps. OTOH, this means we all take our chances with the not-so-good ones, while airlines can be expected to schedule their pilots to the max . Less noise and more substance is needed.