Response to Vehicle Fires PDF - Standard Operating Guideline

Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) Response to Vehicle Fires Effective Date: 02/01/2024 Guideline Number 04-43A Revised Date: Number of Pages 4...

Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) Response to Vehicle Fires Effective Date: 02/01/2024 Guideline Number 04-43A Revised Date: Number of Pages 4 1. Overview There is no such thing as a standard vehicle fire. The innovation and design of motor vehicles today has created many different hazards for firefighters. Early recognition of the involvement of an Electric Vehicle (EV), Hybrid Vehicle (HV) Vehicle with Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and emerging technologies such as Hydrogen powered vehicles and Autonomous Driving vehicles is critical. They represent special risks and must be incorporated into your size up and initial and ongoing decision making on the incident. 2. Guideline Responding crews should rely on visual signs to include vehicle markings, color of smoke, location of smoke and/or fire, and any other signs that signal a crew to be aware of the products involved. Remember to consider the following important steps for all vehicle fires: Identify the vehicle type and address life safety. Address scene safety, apparatus placement and tactical positioning, immobilize the vehicle, when possible, chock wheels, etc. Disable the vehicle, turn off ignition, operate emergency shutoff if equipped, remove key or fob, consider addressing the factory labeled cable cut points. The minimum level of protection for firefighters is full protective clothing breathing air from their SCBA. Captains must wear full protective clothing to directly supervise crews. APPARATUS PLACEMENT Position apparatus upwind and uphill of the incident if possible. Position the apparatus to protect the scene from on-coming traffic. Warning lights should be left operating. Use traffic cones where needed. The use of flares by fire and police should be used with caution; consider the potential for flammable liquids and vapors. WATER SUPPLY/EXTINGUISHMENT Except in the case of a large fuel fire, water is the best extinguishing agent for motor vehicle fires. If not immediately available then dry chemical, CO2, foam, or another typical extinguishing agent should be used. If an EV/HV has been identified and is on fire, large amounts of water will be required to cool the batteries if the batteries catch fire, are exposed to high heat, or is generating heat or gases. It can take 3,000 gallons or more of water applied to the battery to fully extinguish AND cool down the batteries. This will require an uninterrupted water supply. Consider calling for a tender or another engine in areas where hydrants are not readily accessible. FIRE ATTACK The minimum size of hose line to initiate an attack on a vehicle fire is 1 ¾ inch handline. Approach the vehicle with full PPE, SCBA, and on air. Initiate the fire attack from a 90- degree angle, utilize the full reach of the fire stream to begin to extinguish the fire. First water should be applied to extinguish or protect the passenger compartment and an all clear should be obtained. Backup firefighter brings hand or power tools to assist in providing access into vehicle spaces. GENERAL HAZARDS AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS Response to Vehicle Fires (SOG), Page 1 of 4  Energy absorbing bumpers consist of gas and fluid filled cylinders that when heated during a fire, will develop high pressures which may result in the sudden release of the bumper assembly. This could result in serious injury to anyone in its path. Bumper assemblies have been known to travel 25 feet. Batteries have Explosion/Flammability/Toxicity and Electrical shock hazards. Avoid contact with battery components. Trunk rear hatch, engine hoods, etc., have hold-open devices that may employ springs, gas cylinders, extending arms, etc. When gas cylinders are exposed to heat, failure or rupture of these devices should be expected. Excessive pressure may develop in lift assists causing a trunk, hatch, or hood to fly open with explosive force when the latch mechanism is released. Ensure personal safety by allowing sufficient clearance when releasing latches. Fires involving the trunk/cargo area should be approached with extreme caution. Contents may include toxic, flammable, or other hazardous materials. Expect the worst! Fuel tanks may be constructed of sheet metal or plastic. A rupture or burn-through may occur with these tanks causing a rapid flash fire of the fuel. Do not remove gas cap as tank may have become pressurized. Do not direct hose stream into tank. Well-sealed interiors of modern vehicles present the potential for vent-limited fire on the interior which may grow significantly when fresh air is introduced. Use caution when opening doors or breaking windows. Have a charged handline ready before making entry. Tires or split rims exposed to fire may explode, causing the vehicle to drop suddenly. Expect exploding rim parts or tire debris to be expelled outward from the sides. Approach from the front or rear of the vehicle for maximum protection from potential flying debris in these situations. Some larger vehicles, such as buses, employ an air suspension system. When these systems are exposed to heat or flame, they may fail, causing the vehicle to SUDDENLY drop several inches. Where patients are trapped in the vehicle, first water should be applied to protect the patients and permit rescue. When rescue is not a factor, first water should be applied for several seconds to extinguish fire or cool down the area around any fuel tanks or fuel systems. This is especially important if the fuel tanks are LPG or CNG. LPG & CNG LPG and CNG are used as fuel for vehicles. Be aware that should the pressure relief device fail, a BLEVE may occur. Vehicles may not be marked to identify this fuel hazard. If there is flame impingement on a visible LPG/CNG storage tank, take action to control the fire and cool the tank. If vapors escaping from the storage tank relief valve have ignited, allow the LPG/CNG to burn while protecting exposures and cooling the tank. Flow of gas through piping can be controlled by shutting off the valve at the storage tank. Consider adding hazmat to the assignment. ELECTRIC & HYBRID VEHICLES Proper size up on an EV/HV includes the extent of the fire and if it’s a compartment fire or includes the battery. Once life safety has been addressed, fire companies should determine if they should suppress the fire or simply allow the vehicle to burn. This can be based on exposures, the extent of the fire, etc. Once the batteries have gone into thermal runaway, we understand that the vehicle is most likely a total loss. Control efforts must consider life safety, property conservation, exposure protection, environmental protection, and firefighter safety. EV fires pose additional hazards to firefighters due to the battery systems. When the decision is made to control the fire, the best method for controlling a battery fire is with water. Battery fires will initially show from under the vehicle where the batteries are located. Secure a water supply. Chock the wheels. Never assume the EV will not move. Small fires that do not involve the high voltage batteries can be extinguished using typical firefighting methods. For well involved EVs, remember once the interior, contents, etc., are extinguished, sustained Response to Vehicle Fires (SOG), Page 2 of 4  suppression on the battery pack may be necessary. The use of Class A foam reduces the cooling effect of water in this application. When possible, let the batteries burn until completely consumed. Beware of batteries venting and exploding. Approach with caution. Do not cut into or puncture the battery pack. Efforts to protect storm drains through diversion and diking should be used. Contact hazmat and Health Department to help manage hazardous runoff. Protect exposures and evacuate the area. EV batteries should always be considered energized. Recognize off gassing as a sign of continued battery degradation. This visible vapor cloud is toxic and flammable. It may appear as a white smoke even post extinguishment. General Awareness & Safety Concerns The high voltage battery system is controlled through the low voltage battery system. It is important to disable both systems when possible. Locating and cutting the negative terminal on the low voltage side is necessary to potentially disable the system. It is important to note that it may take up to 10 minutes for some electrical capacitors to fully discharge. The batteries will retain stranded energy and will continue to pose an electrical hazard. Hybrid vehicles will have lithium batteries and another fuel source. You will have hazards of high voltage battery systems and the other fuel. If during fire attack with water, the fire does not go out. Consider the use of dry chemical extinguishers for initial suppression. If vehicle is extinguished check temperatures of battery locations with TIC or temp gun, it is important to understand that you are looking at the casing around the battery with your tool. It is more critical to document trending temperatures to indicate if heat is building or if the heat is decreasing. Reignition potential is indicated by temps increasing. An increase in temperature will indicate the potential for a secondary fire. If the batteries have suffered thermal or mechanical insult the potential for electrocution is present, limit contact to the vehicle. Electric vehicles involved in fire should have a stable or reducing temperature before turning the car over to a tow company as reignition may occur. Without a life hazard or an exposure, the IAP may allow us to let the battery pack burn and treat the vehicle shell as an exposure. This may limit the total amount of smoke produced and water used. The NFPA actively maintains a collection of Emergency Response Guides from vehicle manufactures. To access these documents, use the link below: https://www.nfpa.org/Training-and-Events/By-topic/Alternative-Fuel-Vehicle-Safety-Training/Emergency- Response-Guides Post EV/HV Incident Considerations Advise towing companies and storage facilities to provide a 50-foot clear space around the EV once stored and never store inside a building. FIRES INVOLVING ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS Fires involving EV charging stations should be treated as a fire involving any other electrical equipment: Secure power to the EV chargers. Once deenergized, the fire can be extinguished. VEHICLES IN A PARKING GARAGE Call for additional resources as needed. A thorough size-up of incident factors must be performed. Some example considerations are: What level is the vehicle on? Is this above ground or below grade? Response to Vehicle Fires (SOG), Page 3 of 4  What exposures are attached to the garage? Is there a life hazard in the exposed areas? Where is the smoke traveling? Although non-combustible, the concrete structure can be weakened by extended exposure. Supporting the sprinkler system is a high priority to limit fire spread. Many modern buildings have a combination system that supports the sprinklers and the standpipe from one system. Charging the FDC increases the GPM flow and pressure for both the sprinklers and the attack line. Plan with the RP to ensure the suppression system is restored properly when the incident has concluded. Controlling the ventilation system will aid in the protection of occupants of the parking garage and the exposures. If the garage is attached to an occupied structure, command must evaluate smoke spread and evacuate occupants from the affected areas. Ladder companies may be used as an improvised standpipe at incidents on elevated freeways or parking garages. 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