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R 031829Z MAY 24 MID120001076742U
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TO ALSAFE
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UNCLAS
ALSAFE 015/24
SECINFO/U/-//
MSGID/GENADMIN/COMNAVSAFECOM/03/MAY//
SUBJ/SAFE HANDLING, CHARGING, STOWAGE AND DISPOSITION OF LITHIUM BATTERIES//
REF/A/DESC:  INST/PUBLICATION/NSTM/S9086-KR-STM-313/01MAY2017//
REF/B/DESC:  INST/NAVSEA/9310.1C/12AUG2015//
REF/C/DESC:  DOC/PUBLICATION/NAVSEA/S9310-AQ-SAF-010/03NOV2020//
REF/D/DESC:  DOC/PUBLICATION/NSTM/S9086-S3-STM-010-REV 16/15 FEB 2021//
REF/E/DESC:  DOC/PUBLICATION/NSTM/S9086-S3-STM-020-REV 14/01 JUL 2019//
REF/F/DESC:  DOC/DOC/OPNAV/M-5102.1/27SEP2021//
REF/G/DESC:  DOC/DOC/OPNAV/F3100.6K/10AUG2021//
NARR/REF A IS NAVAL STANDARD TECHNICAL MANUAL 313 PORTABLE STORAGE AND DRY
BATTERIES.
REF B IS NAVAL SEA SYSTEMS COMMAND INSTRUCTION NAVAL LITHIUM BATTERY SAFETY
PROGRAM.
REF C IS NAVAL SEA SYSTEMS COMMAND TECHNICAL PUBLICATION NAVAL LITHIUM BATTERY
SAFETY PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROCEDURES.
REF D IS NAVAL STANDARD TECHNICAL MANUAL 555 SURFACE SHIP FCAPT IREFIGHTING.
REF E IS NAVAL STANDARD TECHNICAL MANUAL 555 SUBMARINE FIREFIGHTING.
REF F IS OPNAV INSTRUCTION NAVY AND MARINE CORPS SAFETY INVESTIGATION AND
REPORTING MANUAL.
REF G IS OPNAV INSTRUCTION SPECIAL INCIDENT REPORTING (OPREP-3) PROCEDURES.//
POC/CAPT SCOTT JONES/NAVSAFECOM/TEL: 757-444-3520 7127/ EMAIL:
SCOTT.A.JONES13.MIL@US.NAVY.MIL//
POC/TED KORNAS/NAVSEA 05Z37/TEL: 202-781-2124/TED.KORNAS.CIV@US.NAVY.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. THIS ALSAFE IS APPLICABLE TO ALL COMMANDS POSSESSING LITHIUM
BATTERIES. NAVSEASYSCOM IS THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY'S
(DON) LITHIUM BATTERY SAFETY PROGRAM MANAGER FOR ALL LITHIUM BATTERIES. THE
PURPOSE OF THIS ALSAFE IS TO REINFORCE THE CURRENT REQUIREMENTS OF
REFERENCES A THROUGH C REGARDING THE LITHIUM BATTERY SAFETY CERTIFICATION
PROCESS; SAFE HANDLING, CHARGING, STOWAGE AND DISPOSITION OF LITHIUM
BATTERY SYSTEMS; AND REPORTING CRITERIA FOR ANY MISHAPS OR NEAR MISSES INVOLVING
LITHIUM POWER SUPPLIES. GUIDANCE FOR COMBATTING LITHIUM BATTERY
FIRES ONBOARD SHIPS AND SUBMARINES IS CONTAINED IN REFERENCE D AND E. COMPLIANCE
WITH LITHIUM BATTERY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH BATTERY USE AND STORAGE AS THE
DON INCREASINGLY FIELDS STATE OF THE ART SYSTEMS EMPLOYING THESE
TECHNOLOGIES THROUGHOUT THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS. THE RISKS  ASSOCIATED WITH
LITHIUM BATTERY FIRES WAS RECENTLY DEMONSTRATED IN DECEMBER 2023,
WHEN MOTOR VESSEL GENIUS STAR XI EXHAUSTED ITS ENTIRE CO2 SYSTEM WHILE COMBATING
A LITHIUM BATTERY FIRE IN THEIR CARGO HOLD.
2. THE CONTENTS OF THIS MESSAGE HAVE BEEN COORDINATED WITH NAVSEASYSCOM. THIS
ALSAFE IS APPLICABLE TO ALL NAVY AND MARINE CORPS ACTIVITIES
AND ALL LITHIUM BATTERY POWERED DEVICES INTENDED FOR USE OR TRANSPORTATION ON
NAVY FACILITIES, SUBMARINES, SHIPS, VESSELS, AND AIRCRAFT.
THIS MESSAGE DOES NOT ALTER IN ANY WAY THE FLEET'S POLICY ON ELECTRONIC NICOTINE
DELIVERY SYSTEMS.
3. BACKGROUND:
  A. THE LITHIUM BATTERY SAFETY PROGRAM (LBSP) WAS ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE SAFETY
  GUIDELINES FOR LITHIUM BATTERIES; SET CONDITIONS TO MINIMIZE THE
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF LITHIUM BATTERIES; AND CODIFY A CERTIFICATION
PROCESS TO VERIFY THAT SAFETY GUIDELINES HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED AND
HAZARDS APPROPRIATELY CHARACTERIZED. LITHIUM BATTERIES HAVE INCREASED ENERGY
DENSITY AND CAN REPRESENT EXTREME DANGER TO PERSONNEL AND UNITS IN
THE EVENT OF UNCONTROLLED RELEASE OF ENERGY IN RUPTURE, EXPLOSION, FIRE, AND
VENTING OF TOXIC AND COMBUSTIBLE GASES. THE LBSP IS APPLICABLE TO
ALL DON COMMANDS AND ACTIVITIES. THE LBSP WAS PROMULGATED IN REFERENCES B AND C.
B. REFERENCE C DEFINES THE LITHIUM BATTERY SAFETY CERTIFICATION PROCESS. THIS
PROCESS WAS ESTABLISHED TO MINIMIZE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE
USE OF LITHIUM BATTERIES AND APPLIES TO ALL NAVY AND MARINE CORPS ACTIVITIES
(INCLUDING OPERATIONAL COMMANDERS) TO INCLUDE ALL LITHIUM BATTERY
POWERED DEVICES INTENDED FOR USE OR TRANSPORTATION ON NAVY FACILITIES,
SUBMARINES, SHIPS, VESSELS, AND AIRCRAFT.
    B.1 UPON LITHIUM BATTERY SAFETY CERTIFICATION APPROVAL, THE PROGRAM OFFICE
    OR SPONSOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COMMUNICATING THE LIMITATIONS AND
RESTRICTIONS OUTLINED IN THE LITHIUM BATTERY SAFETY CERTIFICATION LETTER TO THE
FLEET. THESE LIMITATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS ARE MITIGATIONS TO
REDUCE RISKS TO PERSONNEL AND PLATFORM AND MAY IMPACT SHIP'S DAMAGE CONTROL
POSTURE AND LOGISTICAL PLANNING.
    B.2 THE LITHIUM BATTERY SAFETY CERTIFICATION PROCESS REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF
    NINETY (90) DAYS FROM THE SUBMISSION DATE OF A WORKABLE REQUEST
PACKAGE.
    B.3 THE LBSP POINTS OF CONTACT CAN BE FOUND IN APPENDIX C OF REFERENCE C.
  C. REFERENCE C DEFINES LITHIUM BATTERY HANDLING, STORAGE, CHARGING, DISPOSAL,
  EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND MISHAP REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL
DON COMMANDS AND UNITS. NAVSEA WILL ADD REQUIREMENTS FROM REFERENCE C TO THE
NEXT REVISION OF REFERENCE A WITH AN EXPECTED COMPLETION IN FISCAL
YEAR 2024.
    C.1 REFERENCE C SECTION 1-9.2 REQUIRES ALL LITHIUM BATTERY RELATED MISHAPS,
    NEAR-MISSES, INCIDENTS, FAILURES, NON-MISHAP VENTINGS, OR
MALFUNCTIONS INVOLVING A LITHIUM BATTERY BE REPORTED TO THE LITHIUM BATTERY
CERTIFICATION AUTHORITY (NAVSEA 05Z37). THE REPORTS SHALL BE
MADE VIA EMAIL: LIBATTS@NAVY.MIL. GENERAL NAVAL MISHAP REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
ARE CONTAINED IN REFERENCE F. COMMANDS SHOULD FAMILIARIZE
THEMSELVES WITH REPORTING CRITERIA AND REPORT APPLICABLE EVENTS PER REFERENCE C
AND REFERENCE F. ENSURE ANY LITHIUM BATTERY MISHAP IS
ENTERED INTO THE RISK MANAGEMENT INFORMATION (RMI) STREAMLINED INCIDENT
REPORTING (SIR) WITHIN 30 CALENDAR DAYS OF THE MISHAP.
    C.2 THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM INFORMATION IS REQUIRED IN THE NOTIFICATION EMAIL
    TO NAVSEA.
        C.2.1 DATE OF INCIDENT
        C.2.2 TIME OF INCIDENT
        C.2.3 LOCATION OF INCIDENT (FOR SHORE FACILITY SPECIFY INSTALLATION
        NAME, BUILDING AND ROOM NUMBER(S); FOR SHIPS SPECIFY CLASS,
HULL NUMBER AND SPACES)
        C.2.4 REPORTING ACTIVITY/COMMAND
        C.2.5 POC INFORMATION
        C.2.6 TYPE OF INCIDENT (PERSONAL INJURY, EQUIPMENT OR PROPERTY DAMAGE,
        BOTH)
        C.2.7 LITHIUM BATTERY POWERED PROPERTY OR EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IN THE
        INCIDENT (ITEM NAME/NOMENCLATURE/PART NUMBERS)
        C.2.8 INCIDENT DESCRIPTION (DESCRIBE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS, CONTRIBUTING
        ENVIRONMENTAL OR OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS, EXTENT OF EQUIPMENT
DAMAGE AND INJURIES)
        C.2.9 CORRECTIVE ACTIONS OR PRECAUTIONS TAKEN
    C.3 THE FOLLOWING ARE EXAMPLES OF A LITHIUM BATTERY INCIDENT REPORT TO
    NAVSEA:
        C.3.1 ON (FILL IN DATE/TIME), THERE WAS A MINOR LITHIUM BATTERY MISHAP
        ONBOARD A (FILL IN TYPE MODEL SERIES) AIRCRAFT INVOLVING 7
(FILL IN TYPE) SONOBUOYS. THE HAZARD IS EXPOSURE TO SO2, WHICH IS A TOXIC GAS.
FIVE SONOBOUYS EXPERIENCED LEAKING OF CLEAR, VISCOUS LIQUID;
TWO EXPERIENCED SWELLING AT (PROVIDE A SPECIFIC LOCATION ON THE PIECE OF
EQUIPMENT). ALL 7 SONOBOUYS WERE JETTISONED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE
SONOBUOYS WERE CERTIFIED BY NOSSA IN 2014. (ADD COMMAND POC INFORMATION)
        C.3.2 DURING INSPECTION OF A RETURNED UNUSED (FILL IN EQUIPMENT NAME) ON
        (FILL IN DATE/TIME) AT (FILL IN INSTALLATION NAME), ONE OF
THE LITHIUM BATTERIES WAS FOUND TO BE PARTIALLY FAULTED AND OBSERVED TO BE
SLIGHTLY SWOLLEN. BOTH BATTERIES PRESENT IN THE UNIT (THE AFFECTED
AND SECOND, UNAFFECTED BATTERY) WERE REMOVED FROM THE UNIT AND DISPOSED OF
WITHOUT MISHAP. (ADD COMMAND POC INFORMATION)
    C.4 WHEN TRYING TO DETERMINE WHETHER A NON-MISHAP INCIDENT SHOULD BE
    REPORTED TO NAVSEA, IF ANYTHING SEEMS WRONG ABOUT THE LITHIUM BATTERY,
IT SHOULD BE REPORTED. SOMETHING THAT SMELLS OFF CAN INDICATE LEAKING
ELECTROLYTE OR VENTING. VISUAL INDICATIONS INCLUDE DISCOLORATION, LEAKING,
BULGING, CRACKING, OR DEFORMATION. BATTERIES OR EQUIPMENT THAT IS WARM OR HOT
WHEN IT SHOULD NOT BE (I.E. A BATTERY ON A SHELF THAT HAS NOT BEEN
CHARGED OR USED RECENTLY). YOU MAY HEAR CERTAIN FAILURES AS THEY START TO OCCUR.
FOR INSTANCE, THERE CAN BE AN AUDIBLE PING WHENEVER THE PRESSURE
RELIEF DISCHARGES IN CELLS THAT HAVE THEM EQUIPPED. REPORTING OF NON-MISHAPS IS
IMPORTANT TO ENABLE NAVSEA TO REFINE THE RISK ASSESSMENT
ASSOCIATED WITH STORAGE AND USE OF LITHIUM BATTERIES.
4. RECOMMENDED ACTIONS. RECOMMEND ECHELON 2 COMMANDS TASK SUBORDINATE COMMANDS
WITH BELOW ACTIONS.
  A. ALL UNITS SHOULD VERIFY THEY HOLD THE CURRENT VERSION OF REFERENCES A
  THROUGH C (ELECTRONIC COPIES ARE SUFFICIENT).
  B. WITHIN 120 DAYS OF THIS MESSAGE, ALL UNITS SHOULD CONDUCT ONE TIME HAZARD
  AWARENESS TRAINING AS BELOW:
    B.1 DAMAGE CONTROL AND CASUALTY/EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAMS (AS APPLICABLE) -
    AWARENESS TRAINING REGARDING FIRE HAZARDS SPECIFIC TO LITHIUM
BATTERIES. FOR SHIPS AND SUBMARINES, REF D AND E BOTH HAVE ENTIRE CHAPTERS
DEDICATED SPECIFICALLY TO LITHIUM BATTERY FIRES. INCORPORATION OF
THIS TRAINING AS A PART OF THE NORMAL DAILY SHIPBOARD INPORT EMERGENCY TEAM
DAILY TRAINING IS SUFFICIENT.
    B.2 DAMAGE CONTROL OFFICER/ASSISTANT - IN ADDITION TO THE TRAINING
    RECOMMENDED IN B.1, REVIEW RESPONSIBILITIES CODIFIED IN REFERENCE C
PARAGRAPH 4-6.2 SPECIFIC TO APPROVING THE STORAGE LOCATION OF LITHIUM BATTERIES
AT THE COMMAND.
    B.3 SUPPLY OFFICER AND LOGISTIC SPECIALISTS - AWARENESS TRAINING FOR HAZARDS
    ASSOCIATED WITH STORAGE OF LITHIUM BATTERIES WITH EMPHASIS
ON VISUAL AND AUDIBLE CUES OF A LITHIUM BATTERY INCIDENT REFERRED TO ABOVE IN
PARAGRAPH C4.
    B.4 DUTY OFFICERS AND COMMAND LEADERSHIP - REPORTING REQUIREMENTS IAW THIS
    MESSAGE, REFERENCE C SECTIONS 1-2 AND 1-9.2 AS WELL AS REF F
CHAPTER 2.
  C. FOR SHIPS ONLY, WITHIN 180 DAYS OF THIS MESSAGE, CONDUCT A SELF-ASSESSMENT
  FOR COMPLIANCE TO REFERENCE C PARAGRAPH 4-6.2 WHICH REQUIRES
THAT SHIP'S DAMAGE CONTROL ASSISTANT (DCA) AND FIRE MARSHAL SHALL BE INFORMED OF
AND APPROVE THE STORAGE AND CHARGING LOCATIONS OF LITHIUM
BATTERIES. THE DESIGNATED STORAGE COMPARTMENT SHALL NOT BE WITHIN OR CONTIGUOUS
TO (ASIDE/BELOW) HAZMAT/FLAMMABLE LIQUID STORAGE COMPARTMENTS,
AMMUNITION MAGAZINES, FUEL (SHIP OR AVIATION) STORAGE, PUMPING OR HANDLING
AREAS, OR ANY OTHER AREAS THE DCA DEEMS INAPPROPRIATE. SELF-ASSESSMENT
SHOULD LOOK AT WHETHER THE COMMAND HAS A CODIFIED PROCESS IN PLACE AND DETERMINE
WHETHER THAT PROCESS IS ADEQUATE TO DRIVE COMPLIANCE.
SELF-ASSESSMENT COULD BE DONE IN CONJUNCTION WITH NORMALLY SCHEDULED ZONE
INSPECTION.
D. ECHELON 3 COMMANDS SHOULD ASSESS THE ADEQUACY OF CURRENT TRAINING AND
CERTIFICATION PROCESSES. ARE THEY SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE AN ENDURING
NATURE TO AWARENESS OF THE HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH LITHIUM BATTERIES? ARE
LITHIUM BATTERY FIREFIGHTING TTPS CODIFIED IN REFERENCES D AND E
DIFFERENT ENOUGH TO WARRANT CHANGES TO REQUIRED TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND
SUSTAINMENT DRILLS/EXERCISES? ARE ADEQUATE SENIOR TO JUNIOR ASSURANCE
PROCESSES IN PLACE TO GIVE CONFIDENCE UP ECHELON THAT THE FIRE SAFETY POSTURE OF
SUBORDINATE COMMANDS IS RESILIENT IN REGARD TO LITHIUM BATTERY FIRES?
E. REPORT ALL INCIDENTS INVOLVING LITHIUM BATTERIES IAW REF C AND REF F AND PER
PARA 3.C ABOVE.//
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