Toronto Fire Service - Firefighting Operations PDF

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE FIREFIGHTING OPERATIONS INVOLVING ELECTRIC, EXTENDED RANGE ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND HYBRID VEHICLES Date Issued: May 9, 2023 Rescinds: N/A Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-LIEV PURPOSE To provide all Toronto Fire Service (TFS) personnel with a guidel...

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE FIREFIGHTING OPERATIONS INVOLVING ELECTRIC, EXTENDED RANGE ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND HYBRID VEHICLES Date Issued: May 9, 2023 Rescinds: N/A Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-LIEV PURPOSE To provide all Toronto Fire Service (TFS) personnel with a guideline for Electric Vehicles (EV), Extended Range EV (EREV) or Hybrid Vehicles equipped with Lithium- Ion Batteries (LIBs). Incident conditions may vary, which will dictate your actions, in accordance with Toronto Fire Service guidelines, policies and procedures. RESPONSIBILITY All TFS personnel are responsible for safety during incident operations. All TFS personnel are responsible for understanding and following TFS policies and procedures during incident operations. Company Officers are responsible for ensuring all personnel follow established guidelines for responses to LIB emergencies. GUIDELINES 1. Guidelines Electric Vehicle: Defined as a vehicle that is powered by an electric motor that draws electricity from a battery and is capable of being charged from an external source. An EV includes both a vehicle that can be powered by an electric motor that draws electricity from a battery (EV) and a vehicle that can be powered by an electric motor that draws electricity from a battery and/or an internal combustion engine (plug-in hybrid EV). Extended Range EV: An all-electric vehicle’s primary power and drivetrain are provided by an electric motor. It is also equipped with a small internal combustion engine to generate additional electric power. Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle A plug-in hybrid vehicle battery is recharged by regenerative braking or a plug-in charging station. Regenerative braking captures energy during File Code: G-LIEV Page 1 of 8  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE deceleration, which would normally be wasted as heat, and is able to store it and convert it to electricity. If regenerative braking does not provide adequate energy the gasoline engine is used to charge the batteries. Thermal Runaway: The primary risk related to LIBs is a phenomenon in which the lithium-ion cell enters an uncontrollable, self-heating state. Thermal runaway may result in: (a) Dispersion of gases (b) Ejection of shrapnel and or particulates (violent cell venting) (c) Fire (d) Deflagration Energy Storage Systems (ESS): (a) A battery or group of batteries assembled, and capable of storing energy to supply electrical energy at a later time. (b) These batteries may be proprietary, after-market or DIY. (c) Four types of ESS are: i. Walk-in container systems (outdoor) ii. Outdoor cabinet, not walk in iii. Indoor facility; residential, commercial, public utility iv. Large and small vehicle batteries 2. Background The use of LIBs as a source of power for consumer vehicles and/or large fleet vehicles is growing exponentially. Along with the benefits, they bring certain hazards and risks to the responding firefighters. Damaged batteries, improperly or overcharged batteries, and non-regulated equipment are some of the most common issues. Fires involving LIBs and energy storage systems are increasing in number and are subject to additional issues such as thermal runaway and the production of hazardous gases. If not the initial cause, LIBs can cause the fire to intensify. 3. Hazards LIBs may rupture and disperse toxic flammable gases and/or explode violently when the gases ignite, due to: (a) Thermal conditions; Hot/cold or changes to temperature (b) Physical; Impacted, crushed, or pierced (c) Electrical; Over-charging or forced discharge, including internal manufacturing defects or internal short circuiting File Code: G-LIEV Page 2 of 8  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE NOTE: Flammable and Toxic Gases: LIBs in thermal runaway produce many different gases. These gases may combine to form a flammable, explosive and toxic atmosphere. Toxicity and flammability levels vary depending on specific battery technology and manufacturer. Significant explosions can be produced by small batteries. Pressurized gases may appear as white smoke venting and may be noticed prior to ignition. NOTE: Re-ignition: LIBs may unexpectedly re-ignite with no warning, minutes, hours or even days after all visible fire has been extinguished. 4. General Guidelines and Safety Considerations All TFS personnel working in a Controlled Area must wear full PPE (SCBA donned with a face-piece, worn for the duration of the event up to and including the completion of overhaul). Chock the wheels, make sure the vehicle is in park and turn the vehicle off. The hybrid or electric vehicle may still be powered even though there may be no engine noise, (as there would be with an internal combustion engine) posing a risk of accidental movement. NOTE: Do not touch the service plug as it posses the highest risk of electrocution because of its direct connection to the EV battery. Hybrid and electric vehicles can experience multiple classes of fires: (a) Class A – Ordinary combustibles (e.g., tires, fabrics, plastics) (b) Class B – Flammable liquids (e.g., fuel, oil, grease) (c) Class C – Live electrical equipment (e.g., wiring) (d) Class D – Combustible metal (e.g., magnesium) Battery fires may initially show from underneath the vehicle. There are several common risks for first responders associated with electric vehicle fires: (a) Electrical shock (b) Extremely high temperatures and thermal runaway (c) Toxic fumes (d) Lithium burns (respiratory and skin reactions) (e) Toxic runoff (f) Re-ignition up to hours or even days after initial extinguishment Most EV models now have an emergency cut loop, which allows responders File Code: G-LIEV Page 3 of 8  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE to cut power from the main battery to the rest of the vehicle in case of a crash. The location of these cut loops varies from model to model (shutting off the disconnect does not remove the energy from the battery). Always consider the system energized even when the power has been disconnected or the batteries have been discharged. All batteries, even when discharged, may still contain a charge referred to as stranded energy. NOTE: DO NOT make contact with any high voltage components. NOTE: DO NOT blindly pierce through the hood with tools to gain access, as this tactic could penetrate high voltage components in the engine compartment, creating a severe shock hazard. NOTE: DO NOT cut any orange-coloured high voltage cables. Regardless of the disabling/cutting procedures used, always assume that the high voltage cables and components are energized. Handling a partially submerged vehicle without appropriate PPE can result in serious injury or death due to electrocution. When partially submerged, it is likely that high voltage and low voltage cables are still live. In the event a vehicle connected to a charging station becomes involved in fire, treat the incident as an energized electrical fire and attempt to shut down the charging station before applying water. NOTE: Canutec (*666) is the primary resource for LIB information and should be used as a reference to confirm all on-site information. Contact the vehicle manufacturer as an additional resource of information. File Code: G-LIEV Page 4 of 8  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE Due to construction of the battery module, thermal imaging cameras may not give true thermal conditions due to the metal shielding. NFPA warns re-ignition is possible and recommends extinguished vehicles be stored at a safe distance from other vehicles or structures. Post incident decontamination will be undertaken by crews that have been exposed to smoke, vapours, or other contaminants during the incident, as per TFS TN 104.2. The Incident Commander will use a TFS supplied cell phone to take pictures of the batteries involved and send to the Division Chief (DVC) Fire Investigations. TFS pump equipped apparatus will follow the towing company until the EV is safely unhitched at a proper location. The Hazardous Material Unit, along with the IC will develop a plan for isolating the LIBs in their present location and/or on how to proceed with their removal. 5. Incident Operations Position apparatus uphill and upwind from the incident. Position fire apparatus to protect firefighters from vehicular traffic. Identify the vehicle, Incident Commander to confirm if a LIB event. Immobilize the vehicle, chock the wheels. Disable the vehicle, and remove the proximity key to a safe distance of 15 m away from the EV, disconnect power (emergency cut loop). Extrication, refer to G-EXTR. Extinguishment, Incident Commander should consider the use of multiple hose lines (minimum of two 65mm hose lines flowing 950 L/min, each up to and including master fire streams). Secure a dedicated water supply. Position crew and master stream device upwind at a 45-degree angle to the side of the vehicle to avoid the areas of highest risk (side, front and rear). 6. Overhaul Operations Use a thermal imaging camera when conducting a 360 size-up. File Code: G-LIEV Page 5 of 8  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE Treat all conductive surfaces as if they are energized. Due to the potential challenges of applying a sufficient amount of extinguishing agent to a burning high voltage LIB module, the Incident Commander may allow the vehicle to burn itself out. Applying water directly to the affected vehicle will not stop the thermal runaway event as the fire will be located behind several layers of steel material. The direct application of water has shown to only delay the eventual combustion of the entire unit. It is recommended to apply water to the EV and exposures to further mitigate the spread of the hazards. Access the interior of the vehicle and apply water to the interior. The best method for managing or controlling a battery fire is with large quantities of water. NOTE: Consideration should be given to waterways and sewers. Attempt to stop the flow of contaminated runoff into sewers and waterways. 7. Cooling Once the main battery fire has been controlled, continuous application of water may further cool the exterior of the battery to reduce the temperature of the internal cells. This may reduce the likelihood of off gassing of electrolytes and the re-ignition of internal battery cells. NOTE: DO NOT attempt to cut open the battery pack to gain access. Extinguish vehicle fires unrelated to the high voltage battery (LIB) using current TFS SOG’s and Training Notes (TN). LIBs that are in thermal runaway or off gassing will create hazardous atmospheres. Firefighters must stay out of the vapour cloud and not rely on gas monitors (without consideration of cross contamination of the gas sensors). Pressurized gases from the battery may appear as white smoke venting prior to ignition. Incident Commanders and firefighters should be prepared for extended periods of suppression operations and overhaul due to the possibility of battery re-ignition. In areas where there is an inadequate water source, and there is no threat to life safety or to nearby structures, vehicles, or other combustibles, allowing the batteries to completely burn out may be a viable alternative to suppression. File Code: G-LIEV Page 6 of 8  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE 8. Extrication Operations Incident Commanders must consider damage to the battery module when performing any extrication procedures. Staffed, charged hose lines must be in place as there is a significant risk of a delayed fire. Shut down high voltage systems before starting extrication procedures. Be aware, in the event of severe damage, there is always potential for high voltage (HV) cabling or components to be exposed. For rescue struts, DO NOT use any holes that may have been caused by the crash. DO NOT pierce, puncture, or create any purchase point in the battery case – this could cause an electrocution, thermal runaway, and/or fire hazard. The battery compartment forms part of the structure – consider this when determining how to extricate. Remove trim to verify what is being cut before the cut is made. DO NOT cut any orange coloured high-voltage cables. Even if there is no immediate fire following a collision, damage to the integrity of the battery pack may result in thermal runaway. Unlike other automobiles, EVs have a significant number of transparent surfaces made of either glass or polycarbonate. For rescue, always try to break glass and polycarbonate materials first, which are either tempered or laminated. Avoid destruction of corner/centre pillars unless absolutely necessary. If there is no other choice, cut corner pillars (fiberglass) first, then proceed to cut centre pillars (aluminum). Avoid friction and heat when using reciprocating or rotary tools, as plastic can melt and disable tools. NOTE: Drivers side front “A” pillar may have a high number of low voltage lines that may lead to undesired sparking and injury. Other corner and centre pillars have fewer low voltage lines. The batteries in an EV are heavy. This can make the vehicle more prone to rolling unexpectedly if on its side. If the vehicle is on its side on arrival, stabilize the vehicle to prevent it rolling any further. Record handover time and third-party details accepting custody in the RMS narrative. File Code: G-LIEV Page 7 of 8  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE 9. Firefighting Operations in Parking Facilities Follow G-FFOU – Firefighting Operations in Underground Facilities. Ventilation should be a priority. Smoke control for closed or underground carparks must provide an adequate air change rate to limit toxic and flammable gas concentrations. Ventilation made need to be mechanical, especially for removal of gases discharged by thermal runaway of batteries in enclosed or below grade areas. High-volume, large CFM fans will be needed to accomplish this task. Water supply must be adequate for firefighting operations that may last for several days. Modern vehicles have shown to have very rapid fire spread from vehicle to vehicle in a parking garage configuration. Protection of exposures must be a consideration for the Incident Commander. With the increasing use of polymers and combustible materials used in vehicle construction, along with the close proximity of the vehicles parked, the vehicles will often ignite easier, contain more chemical energy per volume and burn more intensely and/or longer than legacy materials. Drainage capacity and runoff control arrangements must be a consideration for the Incident Commander for extended firefighting operations. Hazmat crews should monitor for toxic and flammable gases. ATTACHMENT(S) N/A RELATED SOGS G-EMIR – Emergency Incident Reports G-EVID – Evidence Protection G-EXTR – Extrication – Automobiles and Large Vehicles G-FCAU – Fire cause Determination G-FFOU – Fire Fighting Operations in Underground Facilities G-HIRR – Highway Responses G- INSU – Insurance Information G-OPPA – Police (Ontario Provincial Police – OPP) G-POPT – Police (Toronto) G-POSA – Positioning Apparatus File Code: G-LIEV Page 8 of 8