Widebody Transport
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Aircraft; Company Policy; Manuals; Procedure
Thirty one kilograms of Lithium batteries were loaded in lower forward cargo compartment.  The only fire protection in the lower cargo holds is Halon which is NOT EFFECTIVE against a Lithium battery fire.  Worst case scenario it could cause an explosive reaction with particular Lithium batteries. As Lithium battery fires are a recognized threat on cargo aircraft; and at least 2 aircraft have crashed due to onboard fires over the last couple years; any risks associated with carrying Lithium batteries as cargo should be minimized.  ALL Lithium ion/metal batteries should ALWAYS be loaded on the main cargo deck where the argon/cargo foam CFSS is supposedly effective in controlling the thermal runaway/chemical reaction involved in a Lithium battery fire; particularly when multiple batteries are on board.
The Captain states that Lithium ion/metal batteries should be loaded on the main cargo deck and easily accessible to the crew.  Most Lithium battery fires are the result of battery damage occurring in the shipping and loading process and visual inspection can reveal this damage.  A fire suppression system suitable for Lithium battery fires needs to be installed in aircraft that intend to transport these batteries and all batteries should be in metal containers.
Air carrier Captain is informed of Lithium batteries loaded in lower forward cargo compartment; which only has Halon as the fire suppression agent and is not effective against Lithium battery fires.