First-time NBAA show exhibitor XBag has developed a solution for extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires in airplanes and eVTOLs. The German company is displaying a kit that includes fire extinguishers and special heat-resistant gloves for handling a burning battery, wrapped in a rolled bag for easy storage in cabins and cockpits.
The kits come in two sizes: a larger one contains two small fire extinguishers for the cabin and a smaller kit has one fire extinguisher for the cockpit.
XBag general manager Thomas Knechtl explained that the kit concept makes the product compliant with FAA AC 120-80B, which recommends against the use of a bag on its own. The procedure involves opening the bag, putting on the gloves, extinguishing the fire, placing the extinguished device into the bag, cooling the device by spraying it while in the bag, and, finally, closing the bag.
The bag itself withstands temperatures as high as 600 deg C, said Knechtl.
Customers include Polish low-fare airline Wizz Air and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways. Several U.S. business jet operators have also purchased the kits, as has urban air mobility developer Wisk, Knechtl added.
XBag also offers training for the bag’s use at facilities in Amsterdam and Dubai for a cost of $3,500.