EMERGENCY RESPONSE
When allowed to burn themselves out, the GS450h NiMH
battery modules burn rapidly and can quickly be reduced to
ashes except for the metal.
Offensive Fire Attack
Normally
flooding a NiMH HV battery pack with copious
amounts of water at a safe distance will effectively control the
HV battery pack fire by cooling the adjacent NiMH battery
modules to a point below their ignition temperature. The
remaining modules on fire, if not extinguished by the water, will
burn themselves out.
However, flooding the GS450h HV battery pack is
not
recommended due to the battery case design and location
preventing the responder from properly applying water through
the available vent openings safely. Therefore, it is
recommended that the incident commander allow the GS450h
HV battery pack to burn itself out.
Defensive Fire Attack
If the decision has been made to fight the fire using a defensive
attack, the fire attack crew should pull back a safe distance and
allow the NiMH battery modules to burn themselves out.
During this defensive operation, fire crews may utilise a water
stream or fog pattern to protect exposures or to control the path
of smoke.
Overhaul
During overhaul, immobilise and disable the vehicle if not already
done. See illustrations on page 15. The HV battery cover should
never
be breached or removed under any circumstances including fire.
Doing so may result in severe electrical burns, shock, or electrocution.
•
Immobilise Vehicle
Chock wheels and set the parking brake.
Move the shift lever to the
P
ark position.
– 19 –
WARNING:
• The NIMH battery electrolyte is a caustic alkaline (pH 13.5) that is
damaging to human tissues. To avoid injury by coming in contact with the
electrolyte, wear proper personal protective equipment.
• The battery modules are contained within a metal case and accessibility
is limited.
• To avoid serious injury or death from severe burns or electric shock,
never
breach or remove the high voltage battery pack cover under any
circumstance including fire.
7940 - Lexus A4 ERG Book 3/5/06 3:23 PM Page 19
