Robert Duval

1
E-CIGARETTES Fire Safe?
Fire-Safe Cigarette Conference October 28-29, 2009

• Robert Duval
• NFPA
• New England Regional Manager/Senior Fire
  Investigator

2
What is an e-cigarette?

• An electronic cigarette or "e-cigarette" is a
  battery-powered device that provides inhaled
  doses of nicotine by delivering a vaporized
  liquid nicotine solution. It is an alternative to
  smoked tobacco products, such as cigarettes,
  cigars, or pipes.
• In addition to nicotine delivery, this vapor
  also provides a flavor and physical sensation
  similar to that of inhaled tobacco smoke, while
  no tobacco, smoke, or combustion is actually
  involved in its operation.
• Some devices are nicotine-free

3
Design
4
Design
5
Ingredients
Propylene glycol Nicotine Glycerol Tobacco
essence Organic acid Anti-oxidation agent Butyl
valerate Isopentyl hexonate Lauryl laurate Acetyl
pyrazine Benzyl benzoate Methyl
octynicate Ethyl heptylate Hexyl hexanoate
Geranyl butyrate Menthol Citric acid
Water Alcohol Partial List
6
Products
7
The Safe Alternative
8
FDA Warnings
Posted 8-12-09 The Food and Drug Administration
is warning consumers about potential health risks
associated with electronic cigarettes. Also
known as "e-cigarettes," electronic cigarettes
are battery-operated devices designed to look
like and be used in the same manner as
conventional cigarettes. Sold online and in many
shopping malls, the devices generally contain
cartridges filled with nicotine, flavor and other
chemicals. They turn nicotine, which is highly
addictive, and other chemicals into a vapor that
is inhaled by the user. The FDA said it is
concerned that e-cigarettes can increase nicotine
addiction among young people and may lead kids to
try other tobacco products, including
conventional cigarettes. In addition, the
products may contain ingredients that are known
to be toxic to humans because clinical studies
about the safety of these products for their
intended use have not been submitted to the
FDA. Of particular concern, the FDA said, is
that e-cigarettes are sold without any legal age
restrictions and are available in different
flavors such as chocolate, strawberry and mint,
which may appeal to young people. In addition,
the devices do not contain any health warnings
comparable to FDA-approved nicotine replacement
products or conventional cigarettes.
9
Fire Incident Minneapolis, MN
8/14/09 This morning at 0448 a Fed Ex MD-11
landed at MSP and started to taxi to the ramp and
while en-route to his ramp received a smoke
detector activation from the forward lower cargo
compartment. The crew declared an emergency
and MSP ARFF responded to the cargo ramp. When
crews arrived they found light smoke and when the
forward lower cargo door was opened they could
clearly see smoke coming from a specific
container. The fire was extinguished and the
container removed there was no damage to the
aircraft.
10
MSP Incident
11
Investigation

• MSP ARFF
• MN SFMO
• FedEx Safety
• FAA
• NTSB

12
Lithium Batteries
Debate on lithium batteries reignites By Alan
Levin, USA TODAY August 26, 2009 An airline
pilots union is calling for a government ban on
shipments of lithium batteries aboard aircraft
after a series of fires in recent years. The Air
Line Pilots Association said Tuesday that federal
regulators have been slow to act on the
issue. Pilots are calling for a ban on all
lithium-based battery shipments on passenger and
cargo jets. The ban would not apply to devices
containing batteries brought aboard by
passengers. "The evidence of a clear and present
danger is mounting," said Mark Rogers, an airline
pilot and director of the union's dangerous goods
programs. "We need an immediate ban on these
dangerous goods to protect airline passengers,
crews and cargo," Rogers said. Since March 2008,
there have been six fires on board passenger and
cargo jets linked to lithium-based batteries,
according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
None of the incidents caused deaths or serious
injuries.
13
Lithium Battery Incidents

• Aug. 14, 2009, Minneapolis A fire in a cargo
  container on a FedEx jet is discovered shortly
  after landing. The fire is linked to lithium-ion
  batteries in a box of smokeless cigarettes.
• June 18, 2009, Honolulu A lithium-ion battery
  designed to power bicycles was discovered in a
  burned package as it was being unloaded from a
  UPS jet.
• Aug. 8, 2008, en route from Washington, D.C., to
  Dallas A passenger on American Airlines noticed
  his laptop was smoking.
• March 18, 2008, Denver A United Airlines
  employee burned his hand when lithium batteries
  in a flashlight exploded in a jet's cockpit on
  the ground.
• March 4, 2008, en route from Chicago to Tokyo A
  video player emitted a 10-inch shower of sparks
  when the lithium-ion battery ignited on a United
  flight.

14
(No Transcript)