BCIT adds lithium‑battery safety tech to EV training
Electric vehicles are reshaping British Columbia’s auto market, and schools are moving to keep pace.
The British Columbia Institute of Technology is adding new tools and safety training for future technicians, including a lithium‑battery safety material from Packaging And Crating Technologies of Connecticut.
“The BCIT School of Transportation stands as a prominent leader in training learners and business partners across North America for the demands of the dynamic automotive sector,” said Jim Berladyn, Automotive Technologist Instructor at BCIT. “With the rise of electric vehicles on the road, comes new methods of service and repair that require advanced safety measures and specialized training.”
BCIT has adopted PACT’s patented Thermo Shield paper wrap across its automotive courses. Berladyn first saw the product at the 2023 Battery Show in Novi, Mich., and said the display and videos showed how the material can prevent or extinguish lithium battery fires within seconds. Thermo Shield, invented in 2019, is a thin paper coated with a proprietary ink. When a lithium battery enters thermal runaway, the coating releases a moisture barrier that creates a vapour cloud to cool the contents and choke off oxygen, stopping the fire and preventing the battery from climbing to 1,500° Fahrenheit, when lethal gases can form, according to the company.
PACT says the material has been tested by several independent organizations in Canada and the United States and is endorsed by the Commercial Relocation Network, the Council on Safe Transportation of Hazardous Materials and the International Association of Movers. The company says Thermo Shield is a preferred product for the U.S. Department of Defense, carries a special U.S. Department of Transportation permit for shipping lithium batteries, and has passed the proposed SAE‑G‑27 test standard.
PACT has also developed TR Sleeve, which wraps individual battery cells to help stop thermal runaway from spreading inside EV packs and stationary storage systems. The super-thin paper allows cells to be pressed or stacked tightly without potting materials, which the company says preserves energy density. “TR Sleeve stands at the forefront of safety, sustainability, and efficiency in battery technology,” said Rodger Mort, chief operating officer at Packaging And Crating Technologies. “Its unique features not only address critical safety concerns but also contribute to a greener and more cost-effective future for EVs, E-buses, E-bikes, E-scooters, and other modern mobility equipment that use lithium batteries.”
Berladyn said TR Sleeve will be a teaching aid in BCIT’s Electric Vehicle Technology and Service course, which prepares automotive service technicians to diagnose, service and repair high‑voltage systems across most EV brands. He also plans to examine PACT’s Lion‑X TM fire extinguisher once testing is complete. The water-based unit is designed to quench lithium battery fires at temperatures up to 1,600 degrees within seconds and limit the release of toxic gases, the company says.
“By partnering with forward-thinking companies like PACT, we are providing our students with valuable knowledge that will prevent accidents and save lives,” said Berladyn.
Image credit: Depositphotos.com
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