Umair Gaines
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly common, and with this rise in popularity comes the need to know how to extinguish an EV fire. Unlike traditional gasoline-powered cars, electric vehicles require a different approach to extinguishing fires. Conventional methods such as smothering the fire with foam or a fire blanket are ineffective because lithium-ion batteries can release their own oxygen, a phenomenon known as thermal runaway. This makes the fire self-sustaining, and it can take more than 25,000 litres of water to extinguish it. The best solution is to disconnect the battery and wait for it to burn out, then extinguish any remaining fires. While this strategy is not ideal, it is often the best approach as it can be difficult to get water directly onto the battery cells.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wait for the battery to burn out | Requires up to an hour of waiting, followed by extinguishing the remaining class A fire |
| Use of water | Requires a large, sustained volume of water; may require full submersion of the battery |
| Use of extinguishers | Class D extinguishers are ineffective; specific chemical extinguishers are very expensive |
| Electricity interruption | Disconnect the battery |
| Thermal runaway | Can be suppressed and contained with the "Cool, Burn, Submerge" method |
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What You'll Learn
Disconnect the battery
Disconnecting the battery is a crucial step in extinguishing an electric vehicle fire. Electric vehicle (EV) fires can be extremely challenging to manage due to the high-voltage, lithium-ion batteries that power these vehicles. The first step in addressing an EV fire is to interrupt the electricity flow by disconnecting the battery. This is a complex task, as the vehicle is already on fire, and it requires careful consideration of safety precautions.
The process of disconnecting the battery involves accessing the battery compartment, which can be challenging due to the design of the vehicle and the intense heat generated by the fire. It is imperative to wear appropriate protective gear, including heat-resistant clothing, eye protection, and breathing apparatus, as the fire may produce toxic fumes. One must also be cautious of the potential for jet-like flames and the risk of electrocution from the high-voltage systems.
Once access to the battery is gained, the next step is to safely disconnect it from the vehicle's electrical system. This requires specialized knowledge of EV battery systems and should only be attempted by trained professionals. Cutting or piercing the battery pack is not recommended by manufacturers, as it can lead to dangerous jet flames and increase the risk of electrocution. Additionally, the use of cutting tools on a battery that is not in thermal runaway can inadvertently cause it to commence, complicating the situation further.
After successfully disconnecting the battery, it is crucial to verify that the battery itself is not burning. A burning battery can act as its own fuel source, sustaining the fire. If the battery is intact and not actively burning, the remaining fire can be addressed using appropriate fire suppression methods. However, if the battery is damaged or on fire, it may be necessary to consider alternative approaches, such as submerging the entire battery or vehicle in water to cool and suppress the fire.
Overall, disconnecting the battery is a critical step in extinguishing an electric vehicle fire. It requires a careful, methodical approach, prioritizing the safety of the responders and bystanders while working to interrupt the electrical current fueling the fire.
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Use a fire extinguisher
If you are dealing with an electric vehicle fire, the first thing to do is disconnect the battery to interrupt the electricity supply. Then, you must check if the battery itself is burning. If the battery box is intact and there are no exposures, the best solution is to simply wait for the battery to burn itself out, which should take about an hour.
If you are going to use a fire extinguisher, it is important to note that conventional powder and CO2-based extinguishers are ineffective against lithium battery fires. Only specific chemical extinguishers will work, and these are very expensive to buy and replace. If you are using a fire extinguisher, foam will be the best option as it suppresses the oxygen supply and cools the fire without being water. However, it is unlikely to stop the fire.
If you are a safe distance away from the fire, you can use a dry powder extinguisher. However, be aware that this will reduce visibility and breathing quality. Similarly, a CO2 extinguisher will impact your hearing and breathing, especially in a small space.
Firefighters may use a cutting extinguisher or extinguishing lance to tackle an electric vehicle fire. These tools are expensive and heavy, and they may not be carried on a fire truck. The use of these tools also carries the risk of exposure to jet-like flames and electrocution.
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Wait for the battery to burn out
If you encounter an electric vehicle fire, the best thing to do is to call the fire department and let professionals handle it. Firefighters may decide to let the battery burn itself out, instead of dousing it with water. This is because the construction of an EV battery pack, with individual lithium-ion battery cells contained within a module, and modules within the pack, makes it almost impossible to get water to where it needs to go to cool the cells.
If the battery box is intact and there are no exposures, waiting for the battery to burn out is the best solution. It should take around an hour for the battery to burn itself out. The alternative is to continually dump water on the vehicle for 6 to 8 hours.
However, it is important to note that this strategy is not ideal and is not favored by aggressive, proactive, and eager firefighters. There is also a risk of re-ignition, and the smoke from an EV fire is extremely toxic.
If you must deal with an electric vehicle fire yourself, you should first disconnect the battery completely. Then, if the battery itself is burning, you may have to wait for it to burn out. However, please note that this is not safe advice, and you should always seek professional help when dealing with electric vehicle fires.
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Submerge the battery in water
Submerging the battery in water is a recommended method to extinguish an electric vehicle fire. This method is considered safe and does not carry the risk of electrocution unless the electric vehicle (EV) is connected to an energised charging source. It is important to note that this method requires a large and sustained volume of water, with one source citing that it can take more than 25,000 litres of water to extinguish such a fire.
In some cases, firefighters have successfully directed water into a torn-open battery pack, directly cooling the battery cells. This method of submerging the battery in water is also known as "full submersion" and is one of the three globally recognised best practices for managing an EV fire incident, along with "Cool" and "Burn".
One technique employed by some countries involves using a crane to lift the ignited EV and submerge it in large containers of water. However, this method presents the challenge of getting close enough to the fire, especially if it is already raging out of control.
It is worth noting that while submerging the battery in water is a valid option, simply hosing the battery down could have a negative effect. Additionally, the water needs to flow inside the battery box to directly cool the battery cells, which can be challenging due to the design of the battery structure and the multiple layers between the underside of the vehicle and the battery cells.
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Use water to cool the battery
In the event of an electric vehicle fire, one of the methods to suppress and contain the fire is to cool the battery. This is because the lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles are capable of releasing their own oxygen in a phenomenon called "thermal runaway", which can make the fire self-sustaining.
The first step is to disconnect the battery completely to interrupt the electricity. This can be challenging as the vehicle is on fire. Once this is done, you need to make sure that the battery itself is not burning, as a burning battery is fuel for itself.
A large, sustained volume of water is required to cool the battery. This can be done by flooding the battery with water or submerging the entire electric vehicle in water. It is important to note that spraying water on the outside of the battery pack may not be effective as the water needs to flow inside the box to directly cool the battery cells. In some cases, firefighters have been able to direct water into a torn-open battery pack to directly cool the battery cells. This method is safe and does not carry the risk of electrocution unless the electric vehicle is connected to an energised charging source.
It is important to follow the vehicle manufacturer's safety and response information in the vehicle's rescue card and instructions in the event of an electric vehicle fire.
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Frequently asked questions
The first thing to do is disconnect the battery completely to interrupt the electricity. Then, check if the battery itself is burning. If it is, it will act as fuel for itself, so you should let it burn out. It should take about an hour for the battery to burn itself out.
It is challenging to extinguish an electric vehicle fire. Conventional suppression methods such as using a fire blanket or foam are ineffective because the fire is self-sustaining. Firefighters have used water to cool the battery and stop the fire from spreading, but this requires a large, sustained volume of water. It is also dangerous as it involves getting close to the vehicle. There are specific chemical extinguishers that can work, but they are very expensive.
There is no single best way to extinguish an electric vehicle fire. Different methods include cooling the battery with water, letting the battery burn, or submerging the vehicle in water. The best method depends on the specific conditions of the fire.
