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The Tesla emergency guide mentions using lots of water, or as a backup, dry chemicals, but not foam or submersion. (Why not?) Thinking way outside the box: -

The Tesla emergency guide mentions using lots of water, or as a backup, dry chemicals, but not foam or submersion. (Why not?) Thinking way outside the box: - Can these fires be extinguished with sand? Large air-powered sand pumps exist for metal casting. A "battery-fire truck" could haul tons of sand, an air powered sand pump, and a metal "hose" to deliver sand onto the vehicle from a distance. (https://www.macawber.com/products/pneumatic-conveying/sandpump/ https://www.macawber.com/products/pneumatic-conveying/sandpu...) - What about letting it burn out in a safe way, like a covered grease fire? Winch the vehicle into a fire-proof box (a shipping container lined with refractory brick.) Let it be until it burns out, or if insulated well enough, transfer it to a safer location.

eesmith 4y ago
Sand is a good heat insulator. It may take a very long time before the car cools down enough that it doesn't catch fire again once re-exposed to air. I don't know why Tesla doesn't recommend submersion. Here's a Dutch solution - a water container for storing a car for 24 hours while it cools down. https://www.techeblog.com/bmw-i8-water-container-firefighters/ https://www.techeblog.com/bmw-i8-water-container-firefighter... Looks like it also needs a crane, and is done after the fire appears to be put out. We had some car fires here recently (arson, alas). The smoke can be toxic. We were advised to close our windows. Best there to put it out rather than let it burn even in a fire-proof box. The fire-proof box still needs cooling.
hnburnsy 4y ago
From the Tesla First Responders guide ... 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 between approximately 3,000-8,000 gallons (11,356-30,283 liters) of water, applied directly to the battery, to fully extinguish and cool down a battery fire; always establish or request additional water supply early. If water is not immediately available, use CO2, dry chemicals, or another typical fire-extinguishing agent to fight the fire until water is available. NOTE: Tesla does not recommend the use of foam on electric vehicles. Apply water directly to the battery. If safety permits, lift or tilt the vehicle for more direct access to the battery (see chapter 2). Water may be applied onto the pack from a safe distance ONLY if a natural opening (such as a vent or opening from a collision) already exists. Do not open the battery for the purpose of cooling it. Tesla does not recommend placing the vehicle in a large tank of water. The use of a Thermal Imagery Camera or Infrared (TIC or IR) is recommended to monitor battery temperatures during the cooling process. Continue to use water until the battery has reached ambient temperatures or below, indicated by the thermal imagery camera. When utilizing a thermal imaging camera, allow enough time, once the application of water has stopped, to allow for heat within the battery to transfer to the battery enclosure.

eesmith 4y ago

Sand is a good heat insulator. It may take a very long time before the car cools down enough that it doesn't catch fire again once re-exposed to air. I don't know why Tesla doesn't recommend submersion. Here's a Dutch solution - a water container for storing a car for 24 hours while it cools down. https://www.techeblog.com/bmw-i8-water-container-firefighters/ https://www.techeblog.com/bmw-i8-water-container-firefighter... Looks like it also needs a crane, and is done after the fire appears to be put out. We had some car fires here recently (arson, alas). The smoke can be toxic. We were advised to close our windows. Best there to put it out rather than let it burn even in a fire-proof box. The fire-proof box still needs cooling.

hnburnsy 4y ago

From the Tesla First Responders guide ... 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 between approximately 3,000-8,000 gallons (11,356-30,283 liters) of water, applied directly to the battery, to fully extinguish and cool down a battery fire; always establish or request additional water supply early. If water is not immediately available, use CO2, dry chemicals, or another typical fire-extinguishing agent to fight the fire until water is available. NOTE: Tesla does not recommend the use of foam on electric vehicles. Apply water directly to the battery. If safety permits, lift or tilt the vehicle for more direct access to the battery (see chapter 2). Water may be applied onto the pack from a safe distance ONLY if a natural opening (such as a vent or opening from a collision) already exists. Do not open the battery for the purpose of cooling it. Tesla does not recommend placing the vehicle in a large tank of water. The use of a Thermal Imagery Camera or Infrared (TIC or IR) is recommended to monitor battery temperatures during the cooling process. Continue to use water until the battery has reached ambient temperatures or below, indicated by the thermal imagery camera. When utilizing a thermal imaging camera, allow enough time, once the application of water has stopped, to allow for heat within the battery to transfer to the battery enclosure.