APPROACHING A DAMAGED HIGH-VOLTAGE VEHICLE
17
TOMCAR™ ERG 2017
c.
Bring the following equipment:
•
Class ABC powder-type fire extinguisher.
•
A nonconductive object, about 1.5m long. This can be used to safely push
someone away from the vehicle if they accidentally come in contact with
high-voltage.
2.
Approaching a damaged vehicle
a.
Disable the high-voltage electrical system using as many of the following steps as
possible:
•
Secure the vehicle: Place the ignition in the ‘OFF’ position. Pull the hand
-
brake and block the wheels if necessary.
•
Disconnect the negative cable from the 12-volt battery.
•
Place the safety switch in the ‘OFF’ position. If the safety disconnect cannot
be reached, avoid the high-voltage components and wear appropriate PEE.
b.
If the vehicle is on fire, use a Class ABC powder-type extinguisher to contain and
smother the flames. If water is being used, LARGE amounts of water will be
required to extinguish the flames. Water can cause some degree of arcing/shorting
across a cell and/or battery terminals. It can also react with the electrolyte from the
cells to generate additional combustible gas and other by-products. However, the
cooling and smothering effects of flushing the affected article with large amounts of
