3-3 How to Handle a Damaged Vehicle at an Accident Scene
NOTE:
If any air bags have deployed in the following 3 situations, the high-voltage (HV) system has
been designed to automatically shut off at the time of deployment.
The Nissan Pathfinder HYBRID high-voltage system incorporates capacitors which are energized whenever
the high-voltage system is on. If the high-voltage system is shut down (either through one of the built-in
automatic mechanisms or manually through one of the procedures explained in this FRG) , the capacitors
will begin to gradually discharge.Complete discharge requires approximately 10 minutes after
high-voltage system shut down. It is within this period of time that responders must be most cautious.
When arriving to an incident involving an Nissan Pathfinder 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 (FRG–12)
. 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 never to cut through or damage any HV system
wiring, battery or components within approximately 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 approximate 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. PPE must always be worn when touching or working on
high voltage components. FRG–20
