Where i admire and respect the action took to quickly contain the incidents at meetings using buckets of sand...
the best course of action and only recommendation is to get everyone away from the fire and fumes and monitor the situation... if the Lipo container does not 'hold' the blaze suitably and does cause a fire to spread then call the professionals in to deal with it, they have the training, equipment and breathing apparatus to take the risks.
Currently there is an issue with sand bucket availability at meetings/clubs/venues and if it is a sensible option to deal with any incident then it needs to be looked at and taken on across our hobby.
A powder extinguisher would be the next best thing for sure.
The most important thing is awareness and understanding... it's ok watching youtube videos of idiots blowing up lipos for a laugh etc but educating us all on the safest way to deal with a lipo fire is the best way to stop injuries.
Lipos are safe if they are used as intended and the guidelines we already have are followed.
Using swollen packs needs addressing if it is proven that they are volatile, far too many racers will take the punt at charging them and continuing to use them because of being tight with replacing them or trying to finish a meeting.
On a positive note i have already had a response from one distributor this morning who is keen to be involved in some testing of the lipo charge container products they sell and have stated they have nothing available info wise from manufacturer to judge how safe it is or what temperatures or pressures it will contain.
The main aim of the test is to learn more about these containers in 'use' and be able to have info to be able to recommend the best product types for use in our hobby.
And it is to be done controlled, fairly, in no way to damage sales or r/c companies reputations and no, i won't just be blowing lipos up in my back garden for a laugh!
We all have to own and use these containers in our sport but unless a lipo blows whilst in the sacks etc we have no idea if they will do the job.
On another note... if any oOplers wish to learn more about fire safety or become qualified to deal with incidents then i recommend attending MSA Circuit and Rally marshall training days, i'm sure they are still free of charge and you can get signed off as fire safety trained... BRCA is MSA affilliated so i'm sure it would be a good thing to have some more trained racers at meetings.
