When arriving to an incident involving an INFINITI M35h HYBRID, the vehicle should be approached with
caution
and inspected for the level of damage. In addition to overall vehicle condition (location and severity
of body damage, air bag deployment, etc.) , the high-voltage system should be assessed specifically. The
locations of the high-voltage component parts are illustrated in this FRG. Refer to 2-2 High Voltage-Related
and
12V-Related Component Locations and Descriptions . Appropriate personal protective equipment
(PPE)
must always be worn when approaching a vehicle of unknown condition, as described in this FRG.
Situation 1) High voltage system intact, occupants can be accessed without extrication tools
The HV system can be shut down by following the procedure in this guide, while wearing appropriate PPE.
After HV system shut down, occupant assistance can begin immediately, and no wait period is necessary.
Situation 2) High voltage system intact, occupants cannot be accessed without extrication tools
The HV system can be shut down by following the procedure in this guide, while wearing appropriate PPE.
After HV system shut down, absolute care must be taken not to cut through or damage any HV system
wiring, battery or components within ten (10) minutes of HV system shut down, but occupant assistance
operations using extrication equipment can begin immediately. The locations of the HV components are
illustrated in this guide.
Situation 3) High-voltage (HV) system damaged
If there is any evidence that the HV system has been compromised (such as arcing/sparking, orange wiring
harnesses cut or damaged, HV component casings damaged, etc.) , the responder may still be at risk of
high voltage exposure. The vehicle must be approached with extreme caution prior to initiating any system
shut down procedures or rendering assistance to occupants. Appropriate PPE must always be worn as
described in this guide, and the ten (10) minute wait time must be observed after HV system shut down in
order to ensure the system is de-energized.
In rare situations where vehicle damage is very severe, HV system shut down procedures as described in
this guide may not work. In these instances extreme caution and appropriate risk management must be
followed to prevent shock or electrocution to the responder or occupant.
3-3.1 High Voltage System Shut-Down Procedure
Any of the following procedures can shut down the high voltage system. The first response operation should
only begin after shutting down the high voltage system. If the vehicle is heavily damaged, for example the
Li-ion battery is deformed, broken or cracked, appropriate PPE must always be used and the Li-ion battery
and high voltage components must not be touched. • Failure to properly shut down the high voltage system before the Emergency
Response
Procedures are performed will result in serious injury or death from
electrical shock. To prevent serious injury or death, DO NOT touch high voltage
harnesses or components without always wearing appropriate PPE.
• When contact with high voltage components or high voltage harnesses is
unavoidable,
or when there is risk of such contact, you must always wear appropriate
PPE.
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10. Wait ten (10) minutes for complete discharge of the high voltage capacitor after the service plug
has been removed.
11. Perform the first response action.
3-3.2 Water Submersion Damage level of submerged vehicle may not be apparent. Handling a submerged vehicle
without
appropriate PPE will result in serious injury or death from electrical shock. • The ignition switch of the submerged vehicle must be turned OFF first, if possible.
Then
the vehicle must be completely out of the water and drained to avoid electrical
shock.
• Always wear appropriate PPE and remove/drain water before removing the service
plug
when working on a vehicle after a fire or submersion to avoid electrical shock.
• If the vehicle is in the water, to avoid electrical shock do not touch the high voltage
components,
harnesses or service plug.
3-3.3 Vehicle Fire • Always utilize full PPE and self-contained breathing apparatus during fire fighting
operations.
Smoke from a M35h HYBRID 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 a hybrid vehicle 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.
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