PaR Systems, Inc., a global provider of aerospace manufacturing, material handling, automation, and robotic solutions, announced that its subsidiary, Marine Systems Technology Ltd. (MST), has been awarded a contract by Thales UK to design, test, and supply Lithium-Ion Battery Charging and Storage Systems for Installation on the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers. The charging and storage system will incorporate COMFIRE®.
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| COMFIRE® developed by PaR Systems' Marine Team. (Photo Credit: PaR Systems) |
COMFIRE® is an advanced, fireproof composite technology available currently. It is non-combustible, lightweight, stable in a wet environment, and structurally robust which makes it ideal for demanding marine applications. These lithium-ion battery charging and storage cabinet systems will be designed in cooperation with Thales to meet recently implemented requirements in response to a number of lithium-ion battery failure reactions. The Systems will be certified to provide 120 minutes of fire protection for the batteries housed within in the event of a temperature excursion (from within the cabinet or externally). The design will also include provision for continuous ventilation and access for real time monitoring of the battery conditions (temperature, smoke detection, and charge level) during normal operational conditions.
Ian Haley, President of PaR’s Marine Division, commented, “We are very excited about this new application for our COMFIRE® technology and of course the opportunity to work with Thales. Although COMFIRE® has been proven to be one of the safest technologies available over many years, this is a new area. Considering how prevalent lithium-ion batteries have become, it is easy to see what this can lead to.”
MST also offers many additional COMFIRE® products and systems that include: A60 Bulkhead Panels, B15, B30, A30, and A60 door systems (including Water and/or Gas Tight), Blast A60 doors, gas turbine and engine acoustic/fireproof enclosures, data center enclosures, and furniture. Specialized applications using this same technology provides benefits into many high temperature applications for Hydrocarbon and N levels of fire protection as well.