Information for passengers
Frequently occurring on-board incidents
· Lost and damaged smart devices
It is on occasion for passengers to accidentally crush their phone with the reclining mechanism of their seat. The growing rate
of these incidents, resulting in the damaged battery going into thermal runaway and starting a fire, has seen carriers update safety videos; warning passengers not to move their seat if they lose their electronic device, and even review the seat recline design
· Spare and loose batteries
Passengers packing spare and loose batteries into checked luggage remains a constant threat to aviation safety despite widespread
warnings.
Spare batteries not contained within equipment must be in carry-on luggage with their terminals protected. At no point are spare
batteries, regardless of size, allowed in checked luggage.
· Compressed oxygen
Passengers requiring oxygen for medical purposes must contact their airline before travelling. While medically required oxygen canisters are allowed on aircraft, travelers must gain approval from their operator before flying so the airline can ensure cylinders, valves or regulators fitted on the cylinder are protected from damage.
The ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Air and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations provides information on items, quantities, how, and where these items may be transported on an aircraft
Travelling safely with batteries and portable power banks
Batteries are used to charge most of our portable electronic devices (PEDs), but they can have serious safety consequences if they’re not carried correctly when carried on a flight.
How to carry batteries safely :
Batteries under 100Wh rating
· These batteries that power phones, laptops and cameras are usually under the 100 watt-hour (Wh) rating.
· For lithium metal batteries, the lithium metal content must not exceed 2 grams.
· If you’re carrying a spare battery that’s not in one of these devices, it must be in your carry-on baggage only.
· Spare batteries, regardless of their size are not to be carried in checked luggage.
· A maximum of 20 spare batteries may be allowed; contact your airline for their policy.
Lithium Ion batteries 100-160Wh rating
· These are more powerful batteries, and can be found in industrial equipment such as power
tools and mobility aids between 100 and 160Wh.
· One must have approval from your airline before flying.
· If the battery is installed in a device, it can be carried in either checked or carry-on baggage.
· If the battery is a spare – that is, the battery is by itself and not contained in equipment – it must be in your carry-on
baggage only. The lithium metal content must not exceed 8 grams for Portable Medical Electronic Devices.
· Spare batteries, regardless of their size are not to be carried in checked luggage.
· A maximum of two spare batteries per person. These batteries must only be packed in carry-on luggage and should have their terminals individually protected to minimise the risk of contact other metal objects in your luggage.
Lithium Ion batteries above 160Wh rating
· You can’t carry lithium batteries above 160Wh unless they are for wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
· These batteries must be transported as declared dangerous goods cargo.
Contact your airline or the TTCAA for guidance.
Determining the watt-hour rating (Wh)?
· Most modern batteries have the watt-hour rating (Wh) displayed on their casing so you can see how powerful they are.
· Some older models might not have their watt-hour rating clearly displayed but you should be able to see the voltage and amp hour which will make calculating the watt-hour simple.
· To calculate your battery’s watt-hour rating, you multiply the voltage (V) by the amp hour (Ah).
· For example, a 12 volt battery with a 5 amp hour rating will be 60 watt-hours. V x Ah = Wh.
· If the battery is rated in milli-amp hours (mAh), divide your final answer by 1000 to arrive at the watt-hours. V x mAh / 1000 = Wh. For example, a 6 volt; 2500 mah battery will be 6 x 2500/1000 = 15 Wh.
How to protect your battery from short circuits
· Short-circuiting batteries have been the cause of numerous on-board fires, so it’s important that all spare batteries have their terminals protected properly.
· Spare battery terminals can be protected properly by:
o Keeping batteries in original retail packaging; or
o Insulating the battery terminals by taping over exposed terminals; or
o Placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch.
Safety information about batteries
· Damaged batteries can be dangerous. Whether they’re dropped, smashed, overheated or mistreated in other ways, lithium batteries can become unstable and have been known to ignite fires due to mistreatment.
· Batteries show clear signs of degradation. Such signs include:
o Bulging
o Discolouration
o Deformation
o Splitting
o Leaking/discharge of fluid.
· Should a battery show any of these signs, it should be replaced. It’s also a good idea not to travel with your batteries fully charged. Keeping charge levels at 40-70% will keep the particles that store energy in their most stable state during travel, minimising the risk of thermal runaway.
· Batteries don’t last forever and it’s important to monitor them. Continual dischargers, over-charges and quick-charges will eventually reduce the battery’s overall capacity and health.
LITHIUM BATTERY LABEL
Please CLICK on the Link (IATA DGR Table 2.3.A) for general information about dangerous goods and how
they can be transported.