HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY - FIRE DAMAGE
A burning or heated battery releases toxic vapors. These vapors may include volatile organic compounds, hydrogen gas, carbon
dioxide, carbon monoxide, soot, particulates containing oxides of nickel, aluminum, lithium, copper, cobalt, and hydrogen fluoride.
Responders should always protect themselves with full PPE, including a SCBA, and take appropriate measures to protect civilians
downwind from the incident. Use fog streams or positive-pressure ventilation fans (PPV) to direct smoke and vapors.
The high voltage battery consists of lithium-ion cells. These cells are considered dry cells. If damaged, only a small amount of fluid can
leak. Lithium-ion battery fluid is clear in color.
The high voltage battery, charge controller(s), DC-DC converter, and drive unit(s) are liquid cooled with a typical glycol-based
automotive coolant. If damaged, this blue coolant can leak out of the high voltage battery.
A damaged high voltage battery can create rapid heating of the battery cells. If you notice smoke coming from the high voltage
battery, assume that it is heating and take appropriate action as described in
HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY - FIRE DAMAGE
Rescue Operations
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