Responsible IT asset management goes beyond disposing of assets properly. With such an abundance of technology, it is easy to get careless with managing electronics, but it can become dangerous. E-waste is considered hazardous because many of our electronics today contain lithium-ion batteries notorious for their explosive nature. When electronics overheat, the batteries will swell and often result in battery fires. This can be especially dangerous to ITAD facilities that store large amounts of IT assets, which is why proper IT asset management is crucial for risk prevention.
ITAD facilities collect retired IT assets and ensure they are disposed of properly via recycling. The disposition process can be intense, and assets may be damaged if not handled properly. Some devices may seem sturdy enough to withstand physical damage, but just because the damage is not visible doesn’t mean it’s not occurring. Damage to batteries can cause thermal runaways if they are punctured, which causes chemical fires. Protecting IT assets may seem simple, but battery fires can also be caused by overheating, which can occur simply by storing assets in the wrong place.
Heat can damage electronic devices in several ways. The longer devices are used, the warmer they get, especially with no ventilation to keep the air circulating. Laptops are designed with vents, usually located on the sides and the bottom, that allow heat to escape to keep the device cool. Airflow is essential, and blocking any of these vents for an extended period will prevent the heat from being released and cause the laptop to overheat. One obvious sign of overheating is if the keyboard seems swollen or bowed. This makes storage extremely important. Leaving IT assets in warm places for too long, such as a car or an attic, can cause them to overheat. Electronics are made with metals like gold, silver, copper, nickel, lead, and lithium, as well as materials like glass, which grow extremely hot very quickly, even if they seem cooler when the sun is down.
Keeping electronics clean can help prevent ports or vents from becoming clogged with dust, hair, or other stray particles that might prevent airflow. Stacking IT assets also produces more heat and conducts higher temperatures. Additionally, if a battery is damaged and catches fire, it could start a chain reaction and ignite every other battery around it.
IT asset disposition facilities like HOBI are trained in battery removal and dispose of lithium-ion batteries in a safe, environmentally friendly manner. With more than 30 years in the industry, HOBI is a premiere IT asset management and disposition enterprise focusing on mitigating environmental liability via electronic recycling. HOBI prioritizes employee and asset safety with safe, efficient storage that prevents heat damage.
For more information about our ITAD services, call 817-814-2620 or contact HOBI at sales@hobi.com.