SOP #37: Operations at Vehicle Fires

Question 1

What shall not be utilized while actively fighting fire?

Answer 1

Traffic Safety Vests

Question 2

What shall members operating at vehicle fires wear?

Answer 2

PPE and SCBA as required

Question 3

Prior to initiating fire suppression operations on a vehicle involved in a fire, attempts shall be made to determine?

Answer 3

if vehicle is powered by an alternative fuel source i.e.
- LPF, LNG Electric, hybrid tech

Question 4

Any vehicle fire that has extended beyond an _________ stage requires a minimum of?

Answer 4

incipient stage
1 3/4 hose line

Question 5

What should be done if occupants are still inside the vehicle or trapped?

Answer 5

fire extinguisher may be used until hose line is available or occupants are removed

Question 6

At an vehicle fire operation what should be considered?

Answer 6

Vehicle type and life safety
Scene safety, apparatus placement and tactical positioning , immobilize vehicle, chock wheel
Disable vehicle, turnoff ignition, operated emergency shut off if equipped, remove key fab, address factory labeled cut points
identify need for additional resources such as water supply

Question 7

What should be done when occupants are trapped in the vehicle?

Answer 7

First water should be applied to protect the occupants and permit rescue

Question 8

When rescue is not a factor, where should water be applied ?

Answer 8

first water should be applied for several seconds to extinguish fire or cool down the area around any fuel tanks or fuel systems. Especially if LPG or LNG

Question 9

What is the first safety consideration at a vehicle fire?

Answer 9

be placed upwind and uphill of incident.
Position to protect from on-coming traffic
use apparatus as a barrier

Question 10

What type of hazards do batteries have?

Answer 10

Explosive
Flammability
Toxicity
Electrical Shock

Question 11

How do you ensure personal safety when encountering trunk rear hatch, engine hoods, etc.?

Answer 11

They have hold-open devices that may employ, allow sufficient clearance when releasing latches

Question 12

How can you provide maximum protection to personal from potential flying debris?

Answer 12

Approach from the front or rear of the vehicle

Question 13

What can a pressure release device create?

Answer 13

a lengthy blow torch effect or if pressure release device fails a BLEVE may occur. with LPG and LNG/CNG

COOL THE TANK and control the fire
OPERATE EMERGENCY SHUT OFF - stop flow of gas
If vapor escaping from storage tank relief valve
- Let LPG/CNG burn
- Protect exposure
- cool the tank

Question 14

With high voltage battery system how is it controlled?

Answer 14

through low voltage battery system
*important to disable both systems when possible
* locate and cut negative terminal on the low voltage side
* can take electrical capacitors 10 min to fully discharge

Question 15

If during a fire attack with water on a hybrid vehicle the fire does not extinguish, what is an alternative?

Answer 15

Dry chemical extinguisher for initial suppression

Question 16

At an electrical/hybrid fire if life safety has been addressed, then we must?

Answer 16

determine if fire should be suppressed or simply allow vehicle to burn
* Batteries have gone to thermal runaway, vehicle is most likely a total loss

Question 17

What is the best method for controlling a battery fire ?

Answer 17

large volume of water and consider:
*water supply
* dont assume power is off, and vehicle will not move
* small fire w/o high voltage batteries use typical ff methods
* Foam is contraindicated
* do not cut or puncture battery pack

Question 18

Electric vehicle batteries shall always be considered?

Answer 18

Energized

Question 19

Suppression at electrical/hybrid fire can be?

Answer 19

one (1) hour or More

Question 20

How long with electric vehicle involved in a fire should it be stable or temperature reducing before it is turned over to a tow company?

Answer 20

One (1) hour or more

Question 21

What general guidance should be provided to towing companies and storage facilities?

Answer 21

fifty (50) foot clear space around the electric vehicle and never inside a building.

Question 22

How should fires involving EV charging stations be treated?

Answer 22

Like any other electrical equipment:
- secure power to the charging stations
- once secure power, fire can be extinguished

Question 23

What should be done with vehicle fire in a parking garage?

Answer 23

Upgrade to STILL BOX
support sprinkler system through FDC high priority
use Ladder companies as Standpipe on elevated freeways and parking garage

Question 24

Once vehicle is extinguished what must be done?

Answer 24

Use TIC or temp gun to check temperatures as you are just looking at the casing. This will indicate whether temperature or heat is building up. (Could indicate secondary Fire)