3-3.3 Vehicle Fire
• Always utilize full PPE and self-contained breathing apparatus during fire fighting
operations. Smoke from a LEAF vehicle fire is similar to smoke from a conventional
vehicle fire.
• In the case of extinguishing a fire with water, large amounts of water from a fire hydrant
(if possible) must be used. DO NOT extinguish fire with a small amount of water.
In the event of a small fire, a Type ABC fire extinguisher may be used for an electrical fire
caused by wiring harnesses, electrical components, etc. or oil fire.
Fire attack should follow standard fire fighting practices.
If you must walk away from the vehicle, notify an appropriate responder or a rescue person of the fact that
the vehicle is an electric car and contains a high voltage system and warn all others.
During overhaul operations (late stage fire suppression process to examine for remaining sources of heat),
make sure the battery is fully cooled to avoid fire re-ignition. The battery could reignite if it is placed near fire.
To avoid possible electrical shock and serious personal injury, do not breach the Li-ion battery case.
3-3.4 Cutting the Vehicle Body
• Do not cut into high voltage related areas to avoid severe personal injury or
death.
• Do not cut into the Li-ion battery to avoid severe personal injury or death.
•
When removing parts, DO NOT touch the high voltage parts or the insides of the
exposed orange-colored high voltage cables to avoid severe personal injury or death.
• Use the appropriate tools (for example, hydraulic cutter) when cutting the vehicle to
help protect the first responder to avoid severe personal injury or death.
• Do not cut air bag parts to avoid unintended deployment of the air bags and the risk of
severe personal injury or death.
If at least ten (10) minutes have passed since the rescuer shut down the high voltage system (refer to 3-3.1
High
Voltage System Shut-Down Procedure), then the rescuer can cut the vehicle except for the Li-ion
battery.
If the rescuer cannot wait the full ten (10) minutes or shut down the high voltage system,
absolute care must be taken to avoid cutting HV parts and appropriate PPE must be worn. DO
NOT cut the Li-ion battery due to possible electrocution risk and electrolyte solution leakage.
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