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Questions and Answers
What should the initial operations involve when responding to battery and electric vehicle fires?
What should the initial operations involve when responding to battery and electric vehicle fires?
How should batteries be treated during an incident involving battery and electric vehicle fires?
How should batteries be treated during an incident involving battery and electric vehicle fires?
Which approach should be used for quick evaluation of the incident scene for battery emergencies?
Which approach should be used for quick evaluation of the incident scene for battery emergencies?
What is the first step in controlling hazards during a battery emergency?
What is the first step in controlling hazards during a battery emergency?
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What should be done regarding risk assessment for battery emergencies?
What should be done regarding risk assessment for battery emergencies?
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What action should be considered for electric vehicles during a fire incident?
What action should be considered for electric vehicles during a fire incident?
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What is essential to establish for interior and exterior Energy Storage Systems (ESS)?
What is essential to establish for interior and exterior Energy Storage Systems (ESS)?
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When conducting rescue operations in battery emergencies, what is a recommended practice?
When conducting rescue operations in battery emergencies, what is a recommended practice?
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What is the most effective method to reduce heat in battery emergencies?
What is the most effective method to reduce heat in battery emergencies?
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What should be considered during an effective risk assessment for battery emergencies?
What should be considered during an effective risk assessment for battery emergencies?
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What is the first step in the evacuation process for victims in battery incidents?
What is the first step in the evacuation process for victims in battery incidents?
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Which agency should be consulted to assist during a battery emergency?
Which agency should be consulted to assist during a battery emergency?
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When dealing with disposable alkaline batteries, which hazard should be considered?
When dealing with disposable alkaline batteries, which hazard should be considered?
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What is essential to do before implementing incident objectives in a battery emergency?
What is essential to do before implementing incident objectives in a battery emergency?
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What should responders do after rescuing victims in a battery emergency?
What should responders do after rescuing victims in a battery emergency?
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What is a key consideration when handling Disposable Lithium Metal batteries?
What is a key consideration when handling Disposable Lithium Metal batteries?
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What should NOT be allowed when handling a battery of concern?
What should NOT be allowed when handling a battery of concern?
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What should be done if damaged battery cells are found?
What should be done if damaged battery cells are found?
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If a vehicle is involved in a fire and non-intervention is not feasible, what is a recommended action?
If a vehicle is involved in a fire and non-intervention is not feasible, what is a recommended action?
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What safety measure should be taken to prevent a vehicle from moving during battery incidents?
What safety measure should be taken to prevent a vehicle from moving during battery incidents?
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What should be established to safely remove batteries if overpacking isn't possible?
What should be established to safely remove batteries if overpacking isn't possible?
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When assessing an incident involving an electric vehicle (EV), what is a key factor to evaluate?
When assessing an incident involving an electric vehicle (EV), what is a key factor to evaluate?
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What is recommended for protecting infrastructure during a vehicle fire if a non-intervention decision is made?
What is recommended for protecting infrastructure during a vehicle fire if a non-intervention decision is made?
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Which option is a method to control an EV fire, other than water?
Which option is a method to control an EV fire, other than water?
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What should be done after extinguishing a fire in an electric vehicle?
What should be done after extinguishing a fire in an electric vehicle?
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Which measure is recommended for checking additional battery cells during an EV fire?
Which measure is recommended for checking additional battery cells during an EV fire?
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What is an important step to prepare for water supply operations at an EV fire scene?
What is an important step to prepare for water supply operations at an EV fire scene?
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When dealing with an electric vehicle in a garage, what is advised?
When dealing with an electric vehicle in a garage, what is advised?
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What should be considered when lifting or tilting a vehicle during a fire incident?
What should be considered when lifting or tilting a vehicle during a fire incident?
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What is the advised distance to keep the vehicle from exposures in the event of re-ignition?
What is the advised distance to keep the vehicle from exposures in the event of re-ignition?
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What should be done for vehicles involved in a fatality incident?
What should be done for vehicles involved in a fatality incident?
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Who is responsible for towing a damaged electric vehicle after a fire?
Who is responsible for towing a damaged electric vehicle after a fire?
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What is recommended to consult for health information regarding battery hazards?
What is recommended to consult for health information regarding battery hazards?
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In the absence of specific information, what should be consulted to identify inhalation hazards?
In the absence of specific information, what should be consulted to identify inhalation hazards?
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What minimum procedure is necessary for personnel engaging in firefighting during a battery fire?
What minimum procedure is necessary for personnel engaging in firefighting during a battery fire?
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What should be considered for incidents that involve corrosive contamination?
What should be considered for incidents that involve corrosive contamination?
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Who is identified as the primary contact for questions regarding the Standard Operating Guideline?
Who is identified as the primary contact for questions regarding the Standard Operating Guideline?
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Which of the following is NOT listed as a method to address battery hazards?
Which of the following is NOT listed as a method to address battery hazards?
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What action is necessary for personnel entering a designated hot zone during a battery incident?
What action is necessary for personnel entering a designated hot zone during a battery incident?
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Which organization is listed among the references for applicable policies and laws?
Which organization is listed among the references for applicable policies and laws?
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Study Notes
Battery and Electric Vehicle Fires
- Initially assess the scene for individuals needing rescue or evacuation.
- Treat all batteries as energized, avoid contact with high voltage components.
- Apply the ACRE approach (Assess, Control Hazards, Rescue, Evacuate).
- Secure the area, isolate hazards, and establish control zones.
- Use appropriate methods and equipment to separate personnel from hazards.
- Consider hazards, control capabilities, likelihood of harm, and intervention benefits for risk assessment.
- Consult manufacturer guides for electric vehicles, consider non-intervention for fire involvement, and protect infrastructure and adjacent property.
- For interior and exterior ESS, establish control zones, restrict operations to immediate life safety needs, and ensure technical specialists are en route.
Specific Considerations
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Disposable Alkaline Batteries
- Consider standard extinguishment techniques (water, dry chem, CO2)
- Consider alkaline (base) hazards from large quantities of these batteries.
- Consider small mercury (Hg) hazards in pre-1990 batteries.
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Disposable Lithium Metal Batteries
- If unable to safely overpack inside a structure or confined area:
- Establish a path of travel to remove batteries.
- Ensure suppression capabilities throughout the path of travel.
- NEVER ALLOW PERSONS IN AN ELEVATOR WITH A BATTERY OF CONCERN.
- Cover the battery with a fire blanket, or use a specialty fire bag, during movement outside.
- If unable to safely overpack inside a structure or confined area:
-
Damaged Battery Cells
- Place damaged cells into a battery containment device or overpack when possible.
- Check the area for battery cells ejected from a battery pack, as these should be considered damaged.
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Electric Vehicles (EV)
- Evaluate involvement of the battery pack powering the vehicle.
- Consult the manufacturer guide for the type of vehicle involved, when available.
- Consider non-intervention for fire involvement after appropriate risk assessment.
- Protect infrastructure and adjacent property if allowing the vehicle to free burn.
- Place wheel chocks to prevent the vehicle from moving.
- If non-intervention is not feasible:
- Protect exposures and control visible EV fires with water.
- Consider utilizing the EV Nozzle for suppression and cooling.
- Consider deploying the EV fire blanket to suppress flames and reduce smoke production.
- Continuously cool battery cells involved in fire and prepare for extended water supply operations.
- Consider chocking the wheels.
- Use a Thermal Imager to check additional battery cells for propagation.
- Consider lifting/tilting the vehicle if safe to do so, for direct access to battery modules for cooling.
- Consider water supply requirements.
- Perform air monitoring for flammable vapors in enclosed or partially enclosed areas.
- For vehicles in a garage or enclosed area, work with towing or technical rescue personnel to remove the EV to a safe area outside.
- Consider moving the vehicle to a safe area with no exposures.
- Work with law enforcement and towing personnel to safely remove the vehicle from the incident scene.
- Ensure no fire or signs of thermal runaway/heating are present for at least 45 minutes before releasing the vehicle for towing, investigation, etc.
- Advise that the vehicle should be placed at least 50’ from exposures on all sides in the event of re-ignition.
- If the electric or hybrid vehicle is burned or has damage to battery cells, county contractors will be responsible for towing the vehicle.
- The storage lot it is taken to cannot refuse storage of the vehicle.
- Harris County Sheriff’s Office requests that a vehicle involved in a fatality incident NOT BE MOVED.
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Interior Energy Storage Systems (ESS)
- Work with the Incident Commander to ensure:
- Appropriate fire suppression tactics for the building involved.
- Ensure access to building information, including the location of any batteries or ESS.
- Establish control zones and restrict entry to immediate life safety needs.
- Ensure technical specialists are en route.
- Use available SDS information to provide to medical and hospital personnel.
- Consult current reference material and air monitoring tables for inhalation hazards in the absence of specific information for the battery involved.
- Consider technical decontamination for incidents involving corrosive contamination.
- Work with the Incident Commander to ensure:
Decontamination
- Consult the SDS or a technical expert for each battery hazard when available.
- Decontaminate as necessary.
- Standard structural fire decontamination procedures should occur for any personnel engaging in firefighting or entry operations into a designated hot zone.
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Description
This quiz covers essential protocols and safety measures for responding to battery and electric vehicle fires. Learn about the ACRE approach, risk assessment, and specific considerations for different types of batteries. Perfect for first responders and safety personnel.
