Reference:
Request detail:
I would like to ask you a few questions:
- What intervention tactics do you employ in an electric car fire?
- Do you have different procedures for fighting a fire in electric cars in
different environments? ( for example : indoors outdoor, above ground,
underground…)
- If you answered “yes” on previous questions then what are these
procedures? Please could you send some of your documentation of this procedures/tactics?
- Are you using the IFA methodology to fight fire of an electric cars? (IFA
meaning methodology of International fire Academy in Switzerland)
- What kind of resources/equipment do you use for fighting fire of an
electric car and transport ? (such as transport trolley, fire blanket…)
- Do you immerse electric cars in the water container? If yes, is this
container in your ownership or are you handling this process with an outside company (renting it)? How do you deal with subsequent contaminated water?
- Do you deal with the subsequent quarantine of the car? If yes, how ?
Please respond even if you don't have a set electric car fire response tactic.
Response detail:
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request. Please find our responses below.
What intervention tactics do you employ in an electric car fire?
Following assessment, consider Cordon, Tactical Mode with use of copious amounts of water or controlled burn and protect surroundings, treat as an Hazmat/Environmental incident with Hazardous Materials Advisor involvement, employ Joint Emergency Service Interoperability Programme (JESIP) Principles, and monitor temperatures and when handed over to Police or Highways, a detailed documented handover form explaining the risks of re-ignition etc. Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) do not have a submersible tank at this time.
- Do you have different procedures for fighting a fire in electric cars in different environments? ( for example : indoors outdoor, above ground, underground…)
This would be a tactical decision to consider risk v benefit. If the fire is within a structure, it would become a significant incident and require high levels of Personal Protective Equipment/Respiratory Protective Equipment and decontaminate. However, with the launch of the NFCC Lithium ion training package, which we issue to all operational staff to complete, we would consider exercising and understanding the risk, and impacts and assessing our procedures against them.
- If you answered “yes” on previous questions then what are these
procedures? Please could you send some of your documentation of this procedures/tactics?
– We are in the process of aligning our procedures with National Operational Guidance (NOG). Please refer to this here: National Operational Guidance Homepage | NFCC CPO (ukfrs.com)
- Are you using the IFA methodology to fight fire of an electric cars? (IFA meaning methodology of International fire Academy in Switzerland)
All UK Fire Services are aligning their guidance / methodology to the National Operational Guidance. Link - https://www.ukfrs.com/guidance/search/rechargeable-batteries
- What kind of resources/equipment do you use for fighting fire of an electric car and transport ? (such as transport trolley, fire blanket…)
Water, controlled burn, foam.
- Do you immerse electric cars in the water container? No, not at this time
If yes, is thiscontainer in your ownership or are you handling this process with an outside company (renting it)? How do you deal with subsequent contaminated water?
- Do you deal with the subsequent quarantine of the car? If yes, how ? No, not at this time
If you are unhappy with the way your request for information has been handled, you can complain or request an internal review of the decision. This must be done within 40 working days of receiving this response. You can do this by writing to the Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, St. Michael’s Street, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 2HJ or email: enquiries@shropshirefire.gov.uk.
If you remain dissatisfied with the handling of your request or complaint, you have a right to appeal to the Information Commissioner at:
Information Commissioner's Office
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SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Website: www.ico.gov.uk
