Coding An Digital Cigarette Fire

Twenty-5 separate incidents of explosion and fireplace involving electronic cigarettes (e-cigs or e-cigarettes) were reported within the United States media between 2009 and 2014. The duty of coding the supply of the explosion and hearth could be difficult. This NFIRSGram will assist fireplace departments in coding these incidents within the Nationwide Fire Incident Reporting system (NFIRS) correctly.

What is an e-cigarette?

The e-cigarette, also known as a private vaporizer or electronic nicotine delivery system, is a battery-powered gadget that simulates tobacco smoking by producing a heated vapor, which resembles smoke. There are tens of millions of users and tens of thousands and thousands of gadgets in use as we speak, and the number is growing continuously. Basically, the devices use a heating ingredient referred to as an atomizer or cartomizer to vaporize a liquid solution. "Automatic" e-cigarettes activate the heater when a consumer inhales from the e-cigarette, whereas handbook units have an exterior switch that the consumer depresses to energize the heating component to create heated vapor.

E-cigarette incidents

Even with so many devices in use, hearth-related incidents are very infrequent. These incidents are sometimes described within the media as small explosions. The occasion happens instantly and is accompanied by a loud noise, a flash of mild, smoke, and flames; the battery and different parts are quite often launched throughout the room. The ejected battery usually lands on or subsequent to combustible materials, corresponding to carpets, drapes or bedding, causing them to catch fire.

What causes e-cigarette fires?

Descriptions and photographs of e-cigarette failures are in keeping with known failures of lithium-ion polymer batteries, and reviews of lithium-ion battery failures in cell phones, laptops and different digital devices are readily discovered. The causes of catastrophic failure of a lithium-ion battery can embody puncture, overcharge, overheating, brief circuit, inside cell failure and manufacturing deficiencies.


When the temperature of the battery rises, the electrolyte within the lithium-ion battery can ignite, resulting in overpressure, rupture of the cell, and smoore ejection of the battery core from the case. (The electrolyte used in lithium-ion batteries is a flammable liquid.)


The majority of incidents reported by the media occurred while the battery was charging. A wide range of charging sources had been reported - laptop computer USB ports, auto USB adapters, desktop computer USB ports, and wall adapter USB ports.


The usage of atypical USB port charging connections could also be one supply of the problem. Few, if any, consumers understand that not all USB ports are "created equal." The voltage and current supplied by USB ports can differ. Without consulting the technical specs for the pc or USB power adapter, it's difficult or unimaginable to determine the power supplied by any particular USB port and even tougher to determine whether it is secure to make use of with a particular e-cigarette.


Plugging an e-cigarette right into a "standard" USB port for recharge might subject the battery to greater present than is safe, resulting in thermal runaway that ends in an explosion and/or fireplace.


These information illustrate the significance of utilizing the correct charging units with all rechargeable batteries.

NFIRS coding

For more data on e-cigarette fires


Electronic Cigarette Fires and Explosions
An overview of digital cigarettes, including how they work, latest fireplace and explosion incidents, and the influence of lithium-ion battery failure.


Have a query about coding an electronic cigarette fire?


Please contact the NFIRS Assist Center: Monday - Friday between eight a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET, at 888-382-3827 or by e mail at [email protected].