5. Emergency Procedure
Emergency Responder’s Guide
20
STEP 4: Thermal Event Containment
In case it is necessary to extinguish a fire involving the high voltage battery
pack, large amounts of water from a fire hydrant (if possible) must be
applied. Small amounts of water could produce a combustible or explosive
gas mixture via electrolysis or from a chemical reaction between the Li-ion
battery and water.
CODA’s Lithium ion battery is designed to help mitigate electrical thermal events by electronically
managing the Lithium ion battery and automatically shutting down the high voltage system if
temperatures are detected to increase beyond normal operating limits. The battery pack structural
materials are also fire resistant to a minimum UL-94 V1rating. Lithium cells contain flammable
electrolyte and in extreme cases the electrolyte could ignite. A Lithium ion battery fire could
generate large amounts of smoke which may contain toxic components. The emergency
responders and any vehicle occupants should use self-contained breathing apparatus. Persons
exposed to the smoke should be transferred to a fresh air area and immediately treated by a
doctor.
The fire department should be contacted to extinguish all vehicle fires. If it is necessary for
someone other than the fire department to extinguish the fire, then that person(s) should also
follow these instructions.
Watch for signs of thermal event from the battery of other electrical components. Listen for any
hissing, bubbling, or popping sounds, any amounts of smoke coming from under the vehicle, hood,
or trunk area, and any acrid smell typical for electric fires. If gas is present or thought to be
present, then responders should not perform any operation that could potentially create a spark.
In the event of a small fire, a TYPE ABC fire extinguisher may be used to extinguish an electrical
fire caused by low-voltage wiring harnesses or electrical components.
In the case of extinguishing a fire involving the high voltage battery pack, large amounts of water
from a fire hydrant (if possible) must be applied in order to completely cool down the battery pack
and to help ensure no secondary thermal events occur. Small amounts of water could possibly
produce gases from a chemical reaction between Li-ion battery and water. DO NOT try to
extinguish a high voltage battery fire with a TYPE ABC extinguisher. A Class C, CO2 gas is the
most common extinguisher used to displace the oxygen in the event of electrical fires.
