The term “L Class” has increasingly been used to describe fires that involve lithium-ion batteries and the unique hazards they pose. While “Class L” is not yet an official fire classification under U.S. standards, it has recently been recognized on the international stage. As lithium-ion batteries become more common in our everyday lives, we will continue to see more and more fires related to them.
As a result, specialized fire classifications, suppression tactics and, even, fire extinguishers are emerging to combat these fires. But, per usual, these are not all created equal. Here’s what you need to know about Class L fires and the products on the market right now:
Understanding Lithium-ion Battery Fires
Lithium-ion battery fires are different from traditional fires because they involve a self-contained chemical energy source, not just an external fuel like wood, paper, or gasoline. These batteries are found in everything from electric scooters and forklifts to kids toys and power tools.
The biggest danger posed by these fires is referred to as Thermal Runaway. When a lithium-ion battery cell overheats or becomes damaged, it can trigger an almost unstopped chemical chain reaction that results in extremely toxic and volatile self-perpetuating fires. These fires are a bear to put out, release a multitude of toxic gases, and burn HOT, HOT, HOT- making them a real challenge to extinguish.
Extinguishing Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
Traditional extinguishing methods, like ABC Dry Chemical or CO2 fire extinguishers, simply won’t do the job when it comes to L Class fires. In fact, fire departments have reported using over 30,000 gallons of water to extinguisher electric vehicle fires- compared to just 300 gallons on a typical, gas-powered vehicle fire!
These fires are special, and they require a very specialized approach to extinguish them. The industry has been working tirelessly, testing out agents, tools, and different methods for extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires… the result? We are going to need a lot more time learning about these fires and testing our methods.
For right now, the best protection from these fires lies in preventing them. Remember to CHARGE into Fire Safety (NFPW, 2025):
- Buy only listed products
- Charge devices safely
- Recycle batteries properly
Class L Fire Products
Sadly, even though reputable institutions (with major resources) like Underwriter Labs and NFPA, have declared that they are still in the testing phase, there are some less reputable characters already promoting so-called “Class L” fire protection devices. These include fire extinguishers and fire blankets that are, supposedly, specially designed to tackle LI battery fires.
Thus far, there are NO extinguishers on the market that have been certified and approved as Class L extinguishers in the USA. Fire blankets will never be approved for this use- since they trap the toxic gases released during these fires resulting in explosive reactions. The Class L fire protection market is in its infancy, it will develop and improve over time- that time has not yet come.
Save your money and stay away from products boasting that they can stop lithium-ion battery fires.
Key Takeaways on Class L Fire Protection
Lithium-ion batteries aren’t going anywhere. In fact, they’re becoming more integrated into our homes, workplaces, schools, and vehicles every single year. With that growth comes increased fire risk — and unfortunately, we’re still in the early stages of understanding the best ways to fight these fires safely and effectively.
Right now, the most important things you can do are stay informed, focus on prevention, and be cautious about bold product claims. If a device promises to “solve” lithium-ion battery fires overnight, but hasn’t been tested, certified, or recognized by respected authorities like National Fire Protection Association or UL Solutions, that’s a red flag.
As research continues and standards evolve, fire protection strategies will improve — and when reliable, certified solutions become available, they’ll be backed by data, testing, and recognized approvals.
Until then, prevention remains your strongest defense.
Disclaimer: This blog post was created, in part, by AI.
One thought on “What Are Class L Fire Extinguishers? A Guide to Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Protection”