Technical information

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3.2 Vehicle on fire
In general, all statutory requirements relating to a conventional vehicle on fire are to be observed.
No explosion will occur in the event of a reaction of the lithium ion high-voltage battery triggered by the fire. A quick
thermal response will take place.
Monitoring the high-voltage battery with a thermographic camera is therefore recommended.
Trapped persons can be rescued using suitable fire fighting equipment.
As with conventional vehicles, hazardous smoke may be produced if the vehicle catches fire (e.g. due to burning
plastics).
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3.2.1 Extinguishing
In the event of fire, the high-voltage battery is to be cooled with a lot of water in order to prevent further reactions inside
the high-voltage battery. When extinguishing the fire, audible processes can occur inside the high-voltage battery. This
takes place in the safety valves of the battery cells. This process is no source of danger. These audible processes can
also occur after extinguishing the fire.
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3.2.2 Determine de-energised state at burned down vehicle
There may still be electrical hazard potential after the fire. The insulation of the high-voltage cables can be damaged or
even removed by the heat.
In this case, the vehicle may only be approached when wearing personal protecting equipment.
As described in chapter 3.1.2, point 9, both cables need to be checked for the de-energised state in this case as well. In
the next step, measurements need to be taken between both cables and the housing of the high-voltage battery. Further
cables can be checked in the front part of the vehicle, if necessary. If a voltage potential is still present, the high-voltage
cables coming out of the high-voltage battery need to disconnected from the high-voltage battery. Therefore, the copper
lines are to insulated against each other and to be cut through one by one in order to prevent a short circuit. Afterwards,
a short circuit to ground should be checked.
Note: The high-voltage cables of the high-voltage battery can be identified by their considerably greater cross-section. If
the insulation is melted due to the fire, only the copper lines can be identified.
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3.3 Vehicle in and under water
After recovery of the vehicle out of water the high-voltage system is to be switched-off by removing the high-voltage
service disconnect and disconnecting the 12 V batteries (negative terminal). In case of airbag deployment, the switch-off
of the high-voltage system can be assumed. Touching high-voltage components and high-voltage cables is to be
- Personal protective equipment as per conventional vehicle on fire!
- Electrical danger can also occur after a fire!
- BGI/GUV-I 8677 governing electrical hazards at fires
- Observe the following safety distance when extinguishing:
1 m - spray jet
5 m - full jet
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