How to prevent reignition (Mitigating stranded energy risk)
Use a thermal imaging camera to ensure the high voltage battery is completely cooled
before leaving the incident.
Always advise second responders that there is a risk of the battery re
-igniting.
12V battery (-) terminal disconnection (To depower battery management system)
High voltage shut off
*refer to page 7-9
Discharging the high voltage battery
*refer to page 22-23
6.4 High Voltage Battery re
-ignition by stranded energy
6. In case of fire
Damaged cells in the high voltage battery can experience thermal runaway* and reignition.
To prevent reignition, the first responder and second responder need to be aware of the risk of
stranded energy* which remains in the damaged cells and lead to reignition.
*Thermal runaway : The originating cause of thermal runaway is generally short
-
circuiting inside a battery cell and a resulting increase in the cell’s internal temperature.
Battery produces heat with thermal runaway and it can spread from one battery cell to
many cells, in a domino effect.
*Stranded energy : Energy remains inside any undamaged battery cells after the
accident. That stranded energy can cause a high voltage battery to reignite multiple
times after firefighters a fire.
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