TB 172 Electric/Hybrid Vehicles and Lithium-Ion Battery

Question 1

The challenges that present themselves with Lithium-ion (Li-Ion) Battery systems is that these systems continue to _____.

Answer 1

generate heat well after the fire is extinguished.

Question 2

In the incident involving the Tesla Model X (above), it was well documented that ignition from a Li-ion Battery can take place up to ____.

Answer 2

six days after the initial fire.

Question 3

The ____ is the most typical power product for the electrified vehicle powertrain system today.

Answer 3

Lithium-ion battery

Question 4

Telsa Battery Pack can range from _____

Answer 4

100 - 500 plus volts

Question 5

A “Thermal Runaway” is a term used when a battery cell suffers ____; the battery ______, even when it is extinguished and/or submerged in water.

Answer 5

a short circuit / heats up and continues to produce heat

Question 6

A Lithium-ion battery is subject to thermal runaway when it has been ______, exposed to heat, or internal short circuit due to a factory defect or aging.

Answer 6

damaged from either penetration or crushing in a collision

Question 7

These batteries will continue to dissipate heat during their de-energizing process and will not stop until completely _____.

Answer 7

de-energized

Question 8

During a thermal runaway event, temperatures can exceed over _____.

Answer 8

900 degrees Fahrenheit.

Question 9

Unless a Lithium-ion battery pack is completely ____, a thermal runaway will promulgate to other batteries and the rest of the battery pack will continue to burn.

Answer 9

disassembled and de-energized

Question 10

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) statistics show that about ____ catch fire for every _____ driven in the United States.

Answer 10

90 cars / 1 billion miles

Question 11

In the first billion miles driven by Tesla (mid-2015), there were ____ fires. Based on these statistics, an EV is less likely to ignite in a collision than an internal combustion engine vehicle.

Answer 11

three documented

Question 12

Fires have occurred in several EV vehicles in the United States and the world primarily due to ____.

Answer 12

high-speed impacts.

Question 13

An exposed EV battery, including its wiring and components, can kill anyone that comes in contact with it. The high-voltage ____ will cause a _____.

Answer 13

direct current (DC) / lethal electrical shock.

Question 14

NFPA has conducted research on vehicle fires involving EV. Results have shown that even when the EV battery was on fire, _____ through the water stream and nozzle back to the Firefighters.

Answer 14

no electricity was transmitted

Question 15

LAFD personnel shall establish a ____ when extinguishing an EV fire with water and wear full structure fire personal protective equipment (PPE) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Always consider the vehicle as energized.

Answer 15

30’ safety zone

Question 16

During NFPA testing, it was determined that it could take _____ gallons of water to effectively cool down the battery.

Answer 16

2,600 and up to 3,000

Question 17

LAFD personnel working on vehicles after a fire or accident should wear the Department approved ____ any time they come in contact with the vehicle, including incidents that require extrication.

Answer 17

Gauntlet Gloves

Question 18

Do not use Foam: a layer of foam can actually___ to prevent further cooling.

Answer 18

insulate the hot area

Question 19

basic engineering remains that liquid under high pressure (_____) is less effective for prevention of heat transfer in a large battery than steady flow or low pressure.

Answer 19

nozzle pressure of over 50 psi

Question 20

First Responder Cut Loop is a low voltage harness, cutting the loop shuts down _____.

Answer 20

the high voltage system outside of the high voltage battery and disables the SRS and airbag components.

Question 21

Testing has indicated it could require over ___ depending on the size and location of the battery.

Answer 21

2,600 gallons of water,