Ask HN: Is my collection of mobile devices a fire hazard?

#1

Post by tomcam » Wed, Jun 14, 2023, 7:27 AM UTC

I have a disturbingly large collection of old tablets, phones, & laptops in my basement--probably 50-75 altogether. It's the detritus of a big family and having to test my software on lots of devices. The basement is a constant 55 or so degrees F.

Since we've learned that lithium batteries can apparently just explode spontaneously, should I take some sort of action? Remove the batteries where possible and... store them somewhere? If so where? And what about old iPhones where the battery isn't very accessible?

Or am I just paranoid?

Re: Ask HN: Is my collection of mobile devices a fire hazard?

#2

Post by AHOHA » Wed, Jun 14, 2023, 7:41 AM UTC

To have your smartphone batteries buldge? Maybe, especially Samsung, to have these batteries suddenly explode? Unlikely especially for laptops, phones/tables is still probable. If I were you and want to just make sure all is safe, you can buy some of these li-ion bags/containers that are fireproof, and store the batteries inside, and label them with their devices. I do that in addition to drones batteries, some of them are 6kg each!

Re: Ask HN: Is my collection of mobile devices a fire hazard?

#3

Post by Lariscus » Wed, Jun 14, 2023, 8:19 AM UTC

At the very least I would invest in a ABC or BC fire extinguisher. You might also want to consider storing your devices in a fire proof container like a metal box.

Re: Ask HN: Is my collection of mobile devices a fire hazard?

#4

Post by pestatije » Wed, Jun 14, 2023, 9:36 AM UTC

worry not, once the battery runs out of juice there's no fire hazard

Re: Ask HN: Is my collection of mobile devices a fire hazard?

#5

Post by quadral » Wed, Jun 14, 2023, 9:42 AM UTC

Can't you use browserstack for testing? Surely that's more convenient to use.

Re: Ask HN: Is my collection of mobile devices a fire hazard?

#6

Post by graybies » Wed, Jun 14, 2023, 10:04 AM UTC

If you are really worried just throw the batteries in a bucket of sand.

Re: Ask HN: Is my collection of mobile devices a fire hazard?

#7

Post by dryark » Wed, Jun 14, 2023, 11:12 AM UTC

I've been working with mobile device farming for a few years, and I have not heard of or seen a device that is powered down spontaneously combust despite having many with "puffed batteries". I definitely am concerned that such a battery or device containing such a battery can spontaneously combust but it doesn't generally seem to happen.

That said, I would definitely get rid of any swollen batteries or devices that are swollen ASAP. You can tell with phones as a swollen battery will generally pop the phone apart from the pressure of it.

As others are saying, you should also take precautions whether it happens or not. Place the devices in metal containers, pottery, or fireproof bags. Don't place them in a cardboard box filled with a bunch of other flammable items next to a shelf of books...

Re: Ask HN: Is my collection of mobile devices a fire hazard?

#8

Post by dryark » Wed, Jun 14, 2023, 11:15 AM UTC

quadral wrote: post #5

Can't you use browserstack for testing? Surely that's more convenient to use.

This comment amuses me as my company is a browserstack competitor and thus my company and our clients have large numbers of devices. When you are the cloud host, you have to worry about this and monitor devices for battery damage / swelling.

In our case though the battery temperature can be monitored and this partly lets you know when the battery is going bad before it actually gets to that point and risks catastrophic failure.

Re: Ask HN: Is my collection of mobile devices a fire hazard?

#9

Post by tomcam » Wed, Jun 14, 2023, 12:22 PM UTC

pestatije wrote: post #4

worry not, once the battery runs out of juice there's no fire hazard

I didn’t know that! Thanks!

Re: Ask HN: Is my collection of mobile devices a fire hazard?

#10

Post by tomcam » Wed, Jun 14, 2023, 12:24 PM UTC

dryark wrote: post #7

I've been working with mobile device farming for a few years, and I have not heard of or seen a device that is powered down spontaneously combust despite having many with "puffed batteries". I definitely am concerned that such a battery or device containing such a battery can spontaneously combust but it doesn't generally seem to happen. That said, I would definitely get rid of any swollen batteries or devices that a…

> Don't place them in a cardboard box filled with a bunch of other flammable items next to a shelf of books...

Uh that’s totally not happening right now, obviously… I mean what kind of chump would, er… excuse me for a moment…