23
Extinguish a Vehicle Fire
IMPORTANT
Rivian believes that electric vehicle fires are best addressed with defensive firefighting and
management of the environment to minimize risk. Only attempt to extinguish a fire if you have a
specific need to do so.
Perform these steps to extinguish a vehicle battery fire.
1. Wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) with full SCBA when approaching any vehicle fire.
2. Use a sustained, high-volume water application. 2,000-3,000 gallons minimum will be needed. Consider an
established water supply, a tender, or additional units to shuttle water to the pumping engine.
3. If water is not readily available, use defensive firefighting tactics to prevent the fire from spreading until a clear
need to extinguish the fire is identified and water is available. If necessary, use CO
2
, dry chemicals, or other
fire-extinguishing agents to suppress the fire, for example, to extricate passengers, until water is available.
4. Use a thermal imaging camera (TIC) or infrared (IR) to monitor the battery temperature during the cooling
process. Look for ambient temperatures at or below 212°F (100°C). The battery still needs to cool down if it is
at or above 302°F (150°C).
5. Continue evaluating the battery structure and apply water directly to any exposed areas. Submerge loose
battery cells or modules in water for at least 24 hours.
IMPORTANT
l Only firefighters should extinguish a high-voltage battery fire.
l Use a hand-held extinguisher only to protect occupants as they exit the vehicle or for small fires
that don't involve the high-voltage battery.
l Foam may suppress, but will not extinguish a battery fire.
To Next Page
Loading...
Need help?
General
