3-3.3 Vehicle Fire
• Always utilize appropriate full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and self-contained
breathing apparatus during fire fighting operations. Smoke from a QX60 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 high-voltage battery case.
3-3.4 Cutting the Vehicle Body DANGER
• Do not cut into high-voltage related areas to avoid severe personal injury or death.
• Do not cut into the high-voltage battery to avoid severe personal injury or death.
• When removing parts, NEVER touch the high-voltage parts or the insides of the
exposed
orange-colored high-voltage cables to avoid severe personal injury or
death. Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must always be worn when
touching or working on high-voltage components. Do not cut air bag parts to avoid unintended deployment of the air bags and the risk of
severe
personal injury or death.
If at least approximately ten (10) minutes have passed since the rescuer shut down the high-voltage
system [refer to 3-3.1 High-Voltage System Shut-Down Procedure (FRG–20)], then the rescuer can cut
the
vehicle except for the high-voltage battery. If the rescuer cannot wait approximately ten (10) minutes or shut down the high-voltage
system,
absolute care must be taken to avoid cutting high-voltage parts and appropriate
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must always be worn. DO NOT cut the high-voltage
battery due to possible electrocution risk and electrolyte solution leakage.
FRG–30
3-3.5 High-Voltage Battery Damage And Fluid Leaks
The high-voltage battery contains electrolyte solution. To avoid exposure to electrolyte
solution
and serious personal injury, always wear appropriate solvent resistant Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) and read the following precautions:
• Electrolyte solution is a skin irritant.
• Electrolyte solution is an eye irritant – If contact with eyes, rinse with plenty of water and see a doctor immediately.
• If electrolyte leak occurs, wear appropriate solvent resistant PPE and use a dry cloth to clean up the spilled electrolyte. Be sure to adequately ventilate the area.
• Electrolyte solution is highly flammable.
• Electrolyte liquid or fumes that have come into contact with water vapors in the air will create an oxidized substance. This substance may irritate skin and eyes. In these cases,
rinse with plenty of water and see a doctor immediately.
• Electrolyte fumes (when inhaled) can cause respiratory irritation and acute intoxication. Move to fresh air and wash mouth with water. See a doctor immediately.
If electrolyte solution leakage, or damage such as any problem with the high-voltage battery casing are
observed, first responders should attempt to neutralize the battery by applying a large volume of water to the
battery pack while wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) . The neutralization process
helps stabilize the thermal condition of the battery pack but does not discharge the battery.
High-Voltage Battery Electrolyte Solution Characteristics: • Clear in color
• Sweet odor
• Similar viscosity to water
• Since the high-voltage battery is made up of many small sealed battery modules, electrolyte solutionleakage should be minimal.
NOTE:
Other fluids in the vehicle (such as engine oil, washer fluid, brake fluid, coolant, etc.) are
the same as those in a conventional vehicle.
FRG–35
