Solicitation_Exhibit_C.pdf
PDF 4 MB Posted
- Attached to
- General Police Towing Services
- Solicitation number
- RFP GGS-25-0705
- Issued by
- Maricopa County, Phoenix City, Arizona
About this file
The document is an IAFC (International Association of Fire Chiefs) Bulletin dated October 15, 2021, providing guidance for fire departments on responding to electrical vehicle (EV) fires. The bulletin offers comprehensive pre-incident and post-incident actions for firefighters, focusing on safety protocols, tactical considerations, and specific response strategies when dealing with electric and hybrid vehicle fires. Key recommendations include performing a proper size-up, wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE), establishing a command structure, securing a continuous water supply, and understanding the unique challenges of battery fires.
The bulletin emphasizes the critical need for fire departments to adapt their response plans through training, research, and experience as electric and hybrid vehicle sales increase. Important safety measures include treating batteries as always energized, avoiding contact with high-voltage components, monitoring for potential secondary ignitions, and establishing protocols for post-incident investigations. The document suggests departments modify their policies to include specific guidelines for EV fires, coordinate with law enforcement and towing companies, and train personnel on practical scenarios. Additional response-specific information can be found on automobile manufacturers' websites and the NFPA Quick Vehicle Response Guide.
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Text version
October 15, 2021
International Assocation of Fire Chiefs 4795 Meadow Wood Lane Suite 100W, Chantilly, VA 20151 1
Pre-Incident
IAFC BULLETIN
Fire Department Response to Electrical Vehicle Fires
INCIDENT ACTIONS
When arriving on scene, the first arriving company should perform a proper size up.
This includes the extent of the fire and if it is a compartment fire or includes the electric components of the car. Similar to other vehicle fires, is the engine compartment or the passenger compartment on fire? The best method for managing or controlling a battery fire is with water. Battery fires will initially show from under the vehicle.
• Protect your work area through established department policy and establish tactical priorities (fire, extrication, victim care) and ensure the vehicle is in park and off, if possible.
• Wear full PPE with SCBA with face-piece and establish an appropriate command structure.
• Consideration and tactics may be categorized in offensive or defensive mode.
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• Secure a large, continuous and sustainable water supply from one or more fire
• Where safe, consider chocking the wheels. EVs move silently, so never assume it is powered off. Never assume that an EV will not move.
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• When attacking the vehicle fire, understanding that once the contents of the fire s
• Have sufficient fire personnel and apparatus on scene for an extended operation to monitor the battery’s heat or possible secondary ignition. The heat from the fire may have damaged additional cells, which may require additional suppression activities.
• Batteries should always be treated as energized. During overhaul do not make contact with any high voltage components.
Post Incident
Brief the towing company and their personnel on the hazards, including providing 50’ clear space around the vehicle once stored and never inside a building. An engine company may need to escort the vehicle to the recovery location.
Batteries should always be treated as energized and pose an ongoing risk to the investigator. Follow NFPA 921 protocol for vehicle safety during post-response investigation, arson investigation, and vehicle investigation.
Thermal events with the battery system could continue for some time after the initial incident. Establish response protocol for secondary fires.
Adapting our response plans through training, research, and experience is critical in the fire service. As sales of electric and hybrid vehicles increase, the fire service must continue to modify our tactics to properly respond and protect firefighters. Fighting vehicle fires is inherently dangerous. When responding to an electric or hybrid vehicle fire there are additional challenges responding crews must consider.
Additional response-specific information can be found on most automobile manufacture web pages. NFPA Quick Vehicle Response Guide https://www.nfpa.org/Training-and-Events/By-topic/Alternative-Fuel-Vehicle-Safety-Training/Emergency-Response-Guides https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/interimguide_towtruck_012012_v3.pdf https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/Training/AFV/EV-Fire-QR-info-card.ashx
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