Fire

Edited By Terryd on 24/02/2011 16:24:19

 

Edited By Terryd on 24/02/2011 17:12:55

Edited By NJH on 24/02/2011 21:42:08

Hello. Good afternoon.

Two days ago in my garage that sits beneath the residential area there was a small fire whose causes I'm not sure. Apparently started in my electric bike and the effect most notorious was the explosion of several cell lithium-ion battery in a package of 84 used on my bike. And it is in the garage which lies my workshop.
Fire fighters used practically no water. The fire produced a large amount of black smoke that much landed on all surfaces inside the garage including the lathe and milling machine. On the recommendation of the fire fighters left the windows open to vent the garage for two days.
Today found that, among others, some surfaces of the lathe and milling developed a thin, brown oxide. However the expert from the insurance company only inspect tomorrow.

Can anyone recommend me some action which could minimize the effect of oxidation on surfaces?

Thanks for any help
Dias Costa

Dias,

So sorry to hear of your problem, caused by the electric bike.

... Lithium-Ion batteries seem to be causing major problems, worldwide.

MichaelG.

Hi Dias,

Sorry to hear of your misfortune, hopefully you haven't had to face a dissater on teh scale of Terry's.

If it is just thin surface rust a phosphoric acid based product like Jenolite might convert it to harmless staining. Test an inconspicuous area first!

Neil

Just check that it is rust, it may be residue from the smoke, and not rust at all. What ever, most frustrating. Ian S C

Hello!

Nearly three months late:
To MichaelG: Thanks. Now I already have a new bicycle (a KalkHoff) fitted with a pack of LiIon batteries. I can only hope they behave correctly.
To be true not me neither the assurance company are sure the LiIon batteries were the cause or the effect...

To Neil: Thanks.
I did nothing on the machines until the assurance company decided to replace them. Now that they did so, perhaps I can try something.

To Ian: Thanks.
No it's not smoke. It's brown and there are small pits in some places under the brown powder (this rust is like a powder).

Following the fire in my workshop, two months ago, I am currently looking for a new lathe and a new milling machine.
Previously I had (still have covered in rust ...) a lathe Emco Compact 8 and a milling machine Optimum BF 20 Vario.
My search for substitutes so far produced a lathe Warco WM250V-F and a milling machine Warco WM-16 Variable speed mill, but I'm open to alternative suggestions.
Does anyone can share any thoughts with me and so help me in chose?

Thanks in advance
Dias Costa

Edited By dcosta on 01/05/2013 17:37:02

Hello all,

Finally I was free from the insurance company procedures to take care of the machines (lathe, milling machine and band saw) after the fire that I had in my garage / workshop associated with my bicycle equipped with motor and lithium ion battery. The machines were about 10 meters from the bike, which burned completely, and became covered by a dark powder which then mixed with the oil that covered the sliding surfaces which are those that truly matter.

Before the fire, the milling machine table had a shiny and smooth surface .
Following the cleaning I did today with turpentine and propanol, the table milling stayed covered with a light brownish patina in some areas and I would like to clean it. Apparently there is no rust on the table.
Can anyone please tell me how to remove the patina or give me some clue that I can follow?

Thanks in advance
Dias Costa