India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has rolled out stricter in-flight safety norms over the use of power banks and other lithium battery-powered devices. The aviation regulator has now disallowed the use of power banks for charging phones or other gadgets during flights, including through aircraft seat power outlets, after a series of incidents worldwide involving lithium batteries overheating or catching fire. The DGCA in a circular said that power banks and spare batteries will be allowed only in hand luggage and cannot be stored in overhead compartments.
"The widespread usage of lithium batteries in various rechargeable devices has led to an increase in carriage of lithium batteries by air. Power banks, portable chargers, and similar devices containing lithium batteries can act as ignition sources and potentially initiate on-board fires," the circular said.
The regulator also warned that where these batteries are stored inside the aircraft can worsen the risk.
"Lithium batteries placed in overhead stowage bins or within carry-on baggage may be obscured, difficult to access, or not readily monitored by passengers or crew members. This may result in delayed detection of smoke or fire and response actions, increasing the potential hazard to flight safety," it added.
The circular further reiterated that lithium battery fires are extremely intense and can even cause personal electronic devices to explode.
"A lithium battery fire can be started by uncontrolled heating, overcharging, crushing or internal short circuit triggered by poor manufacturing quality, aged batteries, or damage due to mishandling. Unlike other fires, lithium battery fires may be self-sustaining and require special methods to handle," the advisory noted.
See What’s Next in Tech With the Fast Forward Newsletter
Tweets From @varindiamag
Nothing to see here - yet
When they Tweet, their Tweets will show up here.
