3-3 How to Handle a Damaged Vehicle at an Accident Scene
NO
TE:
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 LEAF 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. After 5 minutes, the voltage level will have dropped below 60V, and 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 a Nissan LEAF, 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 2-1 High-Voltage-Related and
12-volt-Related
Component Locations and Descriptions (FRG–8) . 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 procedures 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.
FRG–16
3-3.2 Water Submersion
Damage level of submerged vehicle may not be apparent. Handling a submerged
vehicle without appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will result in serious
injury or death from electrical shock. • The power 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 Personal Protective Equipment (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 NEVER touch the high-
voltage
components, harnesses or service plug. PPE must always be worn when
touching or working on high-voltage components.
3-3.3 Vehicle Fire • Always utilize full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and self-contained breathing
apparatus
during fire fighting operations. Smoke from a LEAF 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 an electric car 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.
FRG–28
