Firefighting; High Voltage Battery - Fire Damage - Tesla 3 Emergency Response Manual

FIREFIGHTING

FIREFIGHTING
USE WATER TO FIGHT A HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY FIRE. If the battery catches fire, is exposed to high heat, or is generating heat or
gases, use large amounts of water to cool the battery. It can take approximately 3,000 gallons of water, applied directly to the battery,
to fully extinguish and cool down a battery fire; always establish or request an additional water supply. If water is not immediately
available, use dry chemicals, CO2, foam, or another typical fire-extinguishing agent to fight the fire until water is available.
Extinguish small fires that do not involve the high voltage battery using typical vehicle firefighting procedures.
During overhaul, do not make contact with any high voltage components. Always use insulated tools for overhaul.
Heat and flames can compromise airbag inflators, stored gas inflation cylinders, gas struts, and other components which can result in
an unexpected explosion. Perform an adequate knock down before entering a hot zone.
Battery fires can take up to 24 hours to extinguish. Consider allowing the battery to burn while protecting exposures.
After all fire and smoke has visibly subsided, a thermal imaging camera can be used to actively measure the temperature of the high
voltage battery and monitor the trend of heating or cooling. There must not be fire, smoke, or heating present in the high voltage
battery for at least one hour before the vehicle can be released to second responders (such as law enforcement, vehicle transporters,
etc.). The battery must be completely cooled before releasing the vehicle to second responders or otherwise leaving the incident.
Always advise second responders that there is a risk of battery re-ignition.
Due to potential re-ignition, a Model 3 that has been involved in a submersion, fire, or a collision that has compromised the high
voltage battery should be stored in an open area at least 50 ft (15 m) from any exposure.
Warning: When fire is involved, consider the entire vehicle energized. Always wear full PPE, including a SCBA.

HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY - FIRE DAMAGE

A burning or heated battery releases toxic vapors. These vapors may include volatile organic compounds, hydrogen gas, carbon
dioxide, carbon monoxide, soot, particulates containing oxides of nickel, aluminum, lithium, copper, cobalt, and hydrogen fluoride.
Responders should always protect themselves with full PPE, including a SCBA, and take appropriate measures to protect civilians
downwind from the incident. Use fog streams or positive-pressure ventilation fans (PPV) to direct smoke and vapors.
The high voltage battery consists of lithium-ion cells. These cells are considered dry cells. If damaged, only a small amount of fluid can
leak. Lithium-ion battery fluid is clear in color.
The high voltage battery and drive unit(s) are liquid cooled with a typical glycol-based automotive coolant. If damaged, this blue
coolant can leak out of the high voltage battery.
A damaged high voltage battery can create rapid heating of the battery cells. If you notice smoke coming from the high voltage
battery, assume that it is heating and take appropriate action as described in Firefighting on page 23.
Rescue Operations 23