Emergency response crews learning how to deal with EV wrecks

[Fumesucker]

Whenever you have a significant amount of energy stored in a small space there are hazards, with electric vehicles it's just that the hazards are somewhat different than vehicles that run on combustible fuels.

http://www.gizmag.com/nfpa-teaching-ev-safety-to-first-responders/17677/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=9c691c2fc4-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email

As electric cars edge their way further into the mainstream, there is increased talk of how our infrastructure must adapt to accommodate them – networks of charging stations must be established, methods of recycling or disposing of their batteries must be developed, mechanics need to learn how to fix them ... but what happens when they crash? They may not have a big flammable gas tank, but there’s still a lot of electricity to be wary of. In order to educate emergency response personnel on how to safely work with EVs at accident scenes, the US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is currently offering its Electric Vehicle Safety Training course to first responders across America.

Other topics covered include precautions to take around the lithium-ion battery packs (although the risk of electrocution is apparently pretty low), the location of cut points for the extraction of occupants, and power shut-off procedures. With combustion vehicles, it’s generally fairly obvious whether or not the engine is running – you can hear it. With EVs’ silent motors, however, first responders will have to get used to not relying on their ears to know if the power’s still on.

More at the link..

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Every change in technology brings this retraining

air bags were a nightmare in the beginning. Nothing like ooops they went off while you are trying to do the job.

I can see how the standard just disable battery (Yes cutting cables was common practice) ain't gonna work with even a hybrid vehicle.

[Kennah]

2. It happens with new technology

I suspect that an injured horse in a collision would pose a nasty hazard if it were to kick the shit outta someone.

[Fumesucker]

3. Or a deer for that matter..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBa0blUoE8U

[Sonoman]

7. Oh, God, that is one of the funniest things I have ever heard.

Oh, damn....

"So I throw him in the back seat and I'm driving down the road, mindin' my own bidness."

Oh, man...

Sonoman

[stevedeshazer]

4. I work for an auto recycler.

More commonly known as a 'wreckin' yard.

While I don't personally do this, we have guys who dismantle the cars. So far we have not taken in any electric cars because we are not properly equipped to handle them yet. Our company owns another yard in the region that is equipped. This will no doubt increase as hybrid and all electric cars become more common.

And they are everywhere here in Portlandia, a Prius on every corner.

But I digress.

There are specific procedures to service and dismantle these cars, but I hadn't thought about the implications for emergency responders to electric vehicles.

Good point.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

5. wow I was pondering this issue the other night....I wondered what type of hazard this batteries

held and the spills in case of an acident and they burst open in a crash.

[Kennah]

6. Could it be worse than 10 gallons of explosive liquid?

[social_critic]

8. Yes, because gasoline isn't really explosive

Gasoline isn't explosive. You can dip a match in it, and it won't even light. What's explosive is a fuel-air mixture. You can take gasoline vapors, mix them with air, and it makes a pretty neat bomb (the US Air Force makes those and calls them MOABs).

I think the point is these vehicles are loaded with large batteries, and the batteries are full of chemicals. A Lithium battery isn't a toy, and yes they can overheat ferociously. When a responder isn't familiar with them, and they happen to be in a twisted wreck with an unconscious victim inside, and they need to move fast to get the victim out, this can be a pretty tricky issue.

Besides, what's the bruhaha about electric vehicles? They don't really make much sense. A hybrid does, but an all electric is just a toy for the rich.

[Kennah]

9. I'm not saying there is no risk from NiMH or Li-ion batteries in a crash ...

... but compared to ICEs, it would not be keeping me awake nights were I a firefighter.

There was an incident 4-5 years ago when a Prius was involved in a crash, and the Seattle Fire Department made a phone call to a Toyota dealer. A firefighter talked to someone in the Service Department who talked the firefighter through how to safely disable the high voltage electrical system. Toyota has since put together safety cards for FDs. I suspect all of the HEV and EV makers will do the same, if they have not already.

HEVs have hundreds of volts in them, so it's not playtime, but I also don't see WMDs in HEVs or EVs.