National Fire Protection Association
Electric
Vehicle
Safety for
Emergency
Responders
Copyright ©2011 National Fire Protection Association. Single copies may be
made for specific non-profit educational uses with permission.
No commercial or mass distribution allowed.
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NFPA ELECTRIC VEHICLE SAFETY FOR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS
Module I:
INTRODUCTION
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NFPA ELECTRIC VEHICLE SAFETY FOR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS
Course Goal
To prepare first responders to be
able to operate safely at incidents
involving hybrid electric (HEV), plugin hybrid electric (PHEV) and electric
vehicles (EV).
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NFPA ELECTRIC VEHICLE SAFETY FOR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS
Course Modules
Module I: Introduction
Module II: Basic Electrical Concepts
and Hazards
Module III: Vehicle Systems and Safety Features
Module IV: Initial Response: Identify, Immobilize
and Disable
Module V: Emergency Operations
Module VI: Conclusion
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Why is this course important to
you as an emergency responder?
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How familiar
are you with hybrid
electric vehicles and
electric vehicles?
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Module 1 Objectives
Terminal Objective
Differentiate between myths and reality.
Enabling Objectives
● Define HEV (hybrid electric vehicle),
PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) and
EV (electric vehicle).
● List common myths related to EV safety.
● List two (2) actual safety concerns.
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Hybrid and Electric Vehicles are
just another fad…
Myth
or
Reality?
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●
●
●
●
HEV/EVs are growing in popularity.
They are proven reliable.
Goal is 1 million EVs on the road by 2015.
Interest
at an
all time
high. are
Hybridisand
Electric
Vehicles
just another fad…
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Hybrid and electric vehicles may move
unexpectedly at an emergency scene.
Myth
or
Reality?
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● Unexpected movement is always a
concern with electric and conventional
vehicles.
● Hybrid
Unlikeand
conventional
vehicles,
Hybrid
electric vehicles
may
move
and Electric vehicles
may not produce
unexpectedly
at an emergency
scene.
engine noise, but could move silently
without warning on their own power.
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At first glance, it may be difficult to
distinguish between a conventional
vehicle and a hybrid or electric vehicle
of the same model.
Myth
or
Reality?
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● Most look like conventionally
powered models.
At first glance, it may be difficult to
●distinguish
Responders
will need
to recognize
between
a conventional
special
and
markings
that
vehicle
and afeatures
hybrid or
electric
vehicle
identify hybrid and electric vehicles.
of the same model.
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Special equipment is needed for hybrid
and electric vehicle fires.
Myth
or
Reality?
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Typical fire fighting equipment
Special equipment is needed for hybrid
can be used to extinguish fires in
and electric vehicle fires.
these vehicles, but you may
need to adjust your tactics.
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Extrication from these vehicles will be greatly
hampered by high voltage cabling.
Myth
or
Reality?
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● High voltage cabling generally will
NOT impede operations.
Extrication
from these
vehicles
will be greatly
● Not usually
placed
in common
hampered by high voltage cabling.
cut points.
● Commonly runs under floor.
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Batteries will leak a significant amount of
electrolyte if damaged or breached.
Myth
or
Reality?
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● Batteries are in protective cases.
● If case is breached, batteries will NOT leak
a significant amount of electrolyte.
● NiMH and Li-Ion are dry cell batteries, and
may produce a few drops per cell if crushed.
Batteries will leak a significant amount of
electrolyte
damaged
breached.
Someifmodels
mayor
leak
coolant. This should
not be confused with electrolyte.
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Electrocution is likely from touching a hybrid or electric
vehicle involved in a crash or submerged in water.
Myth
or
Reality?
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● The high voltage systems are designed
to prevent electrical hazards after a
crash.
● High voltage systems are isolated from
the vehicle chassis.
Electrocution
is likely
from touching
a hybrid
or electric
● They have
integrated
safety
systems.
vehicle involved in a crash or submerged in water.
Despite safety features, the potential
hazards of the high voltage systems
require use of correct procedures.
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Video
Prepare To
Respond Preview
Myths versus Realities
● There are many myths about the risks
posed by hybrid and electric vehicles.
● The reality is that there are numerous
safety systems to protect responders.
● As always, the key to your safety is
proper training.
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Definitions
HEV Hybrid Electric Vehicle
A vehicle that has both an internal combustion
engine (ICE) and electric motor(s).
PHEV
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle
A vehicle that has both an ICE and electric
motors, and can recharge its batteries to full
charge from an external electric power source.
EV
Electric Vehicle
A vehicle which uses only electric motor(s)
for propulsion.
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History of EVs and HEVs
1832 First crude electric vehicles.
to 1839
1889 Porsche builds first hybrid.
1900 23% of all cars manufactured
were electric.
1974 Prototype hybrid Buick
Skylark.
1997 GM built a few thousand
to 2000 electric vehicles for lease.
Program cancelled in 2003.
2006 Tesla Roadster released.
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5000%
Growth in
HEV Sales
in 9 Years
5,000
Over 250,000
2000
2009
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Percentage of 2010 Hybrid Sales
by Model
All others (20 models)
Ford Escape
Ford Fusion
Lexus HS 250h
Lexus RX450h
Honda CRZ
Honda Civic
Honda Insight
Toyota
Prius
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Camry
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Terminology
From this point on in the course, we will refer
to all types of Hybrids and Plug-in Hybrids
collectively as P/HEVs.
In some instances, they may need to be
referenced separately, in which case, they will
be referred to as Hybrid (HEV) or Plug-In
Hybrid (PHEV) respectively.
Electric Vehicles will be referred to as EVs.
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Module Summary
● Overview of Course
● Myths versus Reality
● Definitions
● Timeline of P/HEVs and EVs
● Growth in Numbers
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