LiCell AVD Buying Guide
LiCell AVD Lithium Battery Fire Extinguisher Buying Guide
Compare LiCell AVD extinguishers by agent volume, battery-risk application, storage conditions, mounting needs, and practical first-response use.
What is AVD?
AVD stands for Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion. The LiCell AVD Safety Data Sheet identifies the extinguishant as a gold/brown, earthy-smelling liquid made mostly from water and vermiculite: 80–95% water, 5–20% vermiculite, less than 1% rheology/syneresis-control additives, and nitrogen as the expellant in pressurized extinguishers.
In practical terms, AVD is a mineral-and-water extinguishing agent. The water phase provides cooling, while the vermiculite platelets help build a mineral coating over affected material. That makes it different from ordinary dry chemical extinguishers, CO2 extinguishers, or plain water.
For reference, see LiCell's AVD technology explanation and LiCell AVD Safety Data Sheet.
How AVD works on lithium-ion battery fire risks
Lithium-ion battery fires can involve thermal runaway, intense heat, venting gases, toxic smoke, re-ignition, and cell-to-cell propagation. AVD is used because it combines cooling with barrier formation, which is useful when the goal is to cool affected cells and help reduce spread or re-ignition risk.
Cooling
The water phase helps absorb heat from affected battery material and nearby burning surfaces.
Mineral barrier
Vermiculite platelets can deposit over affected material and dry into a non-flammable mineral coating.
Propagation control
The goal is to help limit flame spread and re-ignition risk. It is not a guarantee that every battery failure is over.
Compare LiCell AVD extinguisher sizes
AVD extinguishers should not be compared only by canister price. For lithium battery fire response planning, the more useful comparison is agent volume, portability, battery exposure, access to the risk area, bracket and mounting needs, storage conditions, and total cost of protection.
| LiCell model | AVD agent volume | Commonly considered for | Selection notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LiCell AH500 | 500 mL | Small devices, tool charging areas, portable electronics, compact marine or vehicle kits, and point-of-use placement. | Most compact option. Useful where space and mounting flexibility matter, but agent volume is limited. |
| LiCell AH001 | 1 L | Small battery storage areas, workshops, marine systems, RV or portable power areas, and light commercial applications. | Still portable while offering more agent volume than 500 mL units. |
| LiCell AH002 | 2 L | Workshops, warehouses, tool charging stations, e-bike or scooter areas, equipment rooms, and small industrial risk areas. | A common middle-ground size when the risk area is larger than a single small device. |
| LiCell AH004 | 4 L | Battery rooms, industrial shops, larger marine installations, data or UPS areas, and e-waste handling zones. | More agent volume, but users still need safe access, training, evacuation procedures, and a realistic response plan. |
| LiCell AH006 | 6 L | Commercial, industrial, warehouse, battery-room, government, forestry, marine, and e-waste applications. | Higher-volume portable option for larger battery exposure areas. |
| LiCell AH009 | 9 L | Larger industrial, battery storage, data center, e-waste, warehouse, marine, aerospace support, and government applications. | Largest listed portable option in this guide. Best for buyers comparing maximum portable agent volume. |
These are comparison notes, not hazard-specific extinguisher requirements. Battery chemistry, total energy, layout, access, user training, emergency response, and local requirements still matter.
Common applications
LiCell AVD extinguishers may be considered as supplemental portable protection for lithium-ion and lithium-polymer battery risk areas, including:
Industrial and commercial
Warehouses, workshops, lithium-powered equipment, tool charging areas, battery storage, production areas, and maintenance facilities.
Technical environments
Data centers, server rooms, UPS battery backup areas, electronics repair, e-waste, recycling, and battery handling areas.
Marine and field operations
Marine vessels, portable power systems, forestry operations, government field teams, UAV or drone support, and remote equipment sites.
What the LiCell AVD Safety Data Sheet says
The SDS is useful because it answers several practical questions directly. The key points below are summarized for buyers so they do not have to hunt through a technical document just to understand storage, handling, and cleanup basics.
| Topic | Direct answer |
|---|---|
| Composition | AVD is listed as 80–95% water, 5–20% vermiculite, less than 1% rheology/syneresis-control additive, and nitrogen expellant in pressurized extinguishers. |
| Physical properties | The agent is a gold/brown liquid with low earthy odor, pH 7–10, relative density about 1.1, and viscosity about 2000–4000 cP. |
| Flammability | The SDS says the product is not flammable and will not burn. That does not make the battery fire itself harmless; lithium-ion battery fires can still produce intense heat, smoke, venting, and re-ignition risk. |
| Pressure | Pressurized extinguishers contain liquid and gas under pressure. Overheating or over-pressurizing may cause gas release or bursting, and an extinguisher may still contain pressure even if the gauge reads 0 psi. |
| Storage | Store in original packaging, protect packaging from damage, and store between 5°C and 25°C / 41°F and 77°F whenever possible. Freezing may damage packaging. The AVD itself is not damaged by freezing, but it needs to be re-homogenized after thawing. |
| Spill cleanup | Spilled material may be slippery. Use absorbent cleaning material, keep waste in suitable closed containers, and prevent large quantities from entering drains, sewers, or waterways. If dried on a surface, it can be carefully removed with a scraper. |
| Basic cleanup PPE | The SDS lists minimum PPE for spills as nitrile gloves and slip-resistant shoes. For splash or prolonged exposure, it also recommends eye protection, gloves, long sleeves, and respiratory protection for airborne dust or aerosol exposure. |
| Materials to avoid for bulk agent | The SDS lists aluminum and raw or galvanized steel as incompatible materials. Keep the agent in its intended extinguisher or original packaging; do not transfer bulk AVD into random metal containers. |
Storage and ground shipping
LiCell extinguishers ship by ground within the contiguous United States. Some destinations, expedited services, and large-quantity orders may require additional processing time or carrier handling. For Alaska, Hawaii, California, or larger commercial orders, contact Cruising Solutions before ordering.
California orders
California has specific requirements for portable fire extinguishers used for compliance. LiCell AVD extinguishers are sold for supplemental use, and California orders can only be processed under limited circumstances. California customers should contact Cruising Solutions before ordering.
How to request help choosing a LiCell extinguisher
For commercial, industrial, government, marine, battery room, data center, e-waste, forestry, aerospace, or warehouse applications, contact Cruising Solutions with:
- Battery type or chemistry, if known
- Approximate number of batteries or battery capacity/exposure
- Whether the batteries are stored, charging, installed, transported, repaired, or recycled
- Room, vessel, vehicle, equipment, or rack layout
- Whether the extinguisher is supplemental or intended for a compliance requirement
- Ship-to state, especially for California, Alaska, Hawaii, or large-quantity orders
Frequently asked questions
What does LiCell AVD contain?
The LiCell AVD SDS lists the agent as 80–95% water, 5–20% vermiculite, less than 1% rheology/syneresis-control additive, and nitrogen expellant in pressurized extinguishers. It is a gold/brown liquid with pH 7–10 and relative density about 1.1.
Is AVD flammable?
The SDS states that the AVD product is not flammable and will not burn. That does not mean the battery fire is safe; lithium-ion battery failures can still involve intense heat, smoke, venting gases, projectiles, and re-ignition.
How should LiCell AVD extinguishers be stored?
Store the product in its original packaging, protect the packaging from damage, and keep it between 5°C and 25°C / 41°F and 77°F whenever possible. The SDS says freezing can damage packaging. The AVD itself is not damaged by freezing, but it must be re-homogenized after thawing.
What cleanup precautions does the SDS call out?
Spilled AVD can be slippery. The SDS lists nitrile gloves and slip-resistant shoes as minimum spill PPE, recommends preventing large quantities from entering drains or waterways, and says to absorb excess liquid into suitable closed containers. Dried material can be carefully removed with a scraper.
Which battery types is this guide about?
This guide is focused on lithium-ion and lithium-polymer battery risk areas, including common rechargeable chemistries such as LFP / LiFePO4, NMC, NCA, and LCO. Lithium-metal batteries and combustible-metal hazards are different and should not be assumed to be covered by the same response plan.
Can LiCell AVD extinguishers help with thermal runaway?
AVD is used because it combines cooling with vermiculite barrier formation. That can help address lithium-ion battery fire risks by cooling affected material and helping limit flame spread or re-ignition risk. Thermal runaway can still be severe and fast-moving, so a portable extinguisher is supplemental protection, not a guarantee.
Can AVD be used on energized electrical equipment?
LiCell product information commonly describes AVD extinguishers for lithium battery, electrical, and Class A fire risks. AVD is water-based, so users should disconnect power when safe, follow the product label and facility procedure, and avoid taking unnecessary electrical or smoke exposure risks.
Are LiCell AVD extinguishers a replacement for required fire extinguishers?
No. Treat them as supplemental lithium battery fire protection unless the applicable fire marshal, fire protection engineer, insurer, or authority having jurisdiction confirms otherwise. They should not replace code-required extinguishers, sprinkler systems, engineered suppression, battery-room fire protection, or emergency procedures.
Does agent volume matter?
Yes. A lower-cost unit may contain less usable AVD agent. For practical response planning, compare agent volume, battery exposure, access to the risk area, mounting location, storage conditions, and total cost of protection rather than only the canister price.
How do LiCell extinguishers ship?
LiCell extinguishers ship by ground within the contiguous United States. Some destinations, expedited services, and large-quantity orders may require additional processing time or carrier handling.
Can LiCell AVD extinguishers be shipped to California?
California has specific portable fire extinguisher requirements. LiCell AVD extinguishers are sold for supplemental use, and California orders can only be processed under limited circumstances. California customers should contact Cruising Solutions before ordering.