Rosenbauer launches a new extinguishing system for burning traction batteries in electric vehicles. With the system, high-voltage batteries based on lithium-ion technology can be safely and efficiently extinguished. It enables direct cooling of the battery modules or the cells within the modules and thus a quick stop to the chain reaction of the continuous cells.
safety of the emergency services
The safety of the emergency services was the top priority during development and is achieved by the fact that the operators are only in the vicinity of the burning vehicle for a very short time and the system is activated from a safe distance.
The extinguishing system brings the extinguishing water exactly where it is needed: to cool the cells and modules in the battery housing. This extinguishes in a very resource-saving manner and reduces the spread of smoke gases to a minimum.
Components of the extinguishing system
The preferred position is between the road and the vehicle when the vehicle is on all four wheels
The system consists of two main components, an extinguishing unit, and an operating unit, which are connected with hoses. The extinguishing unit is positioned on the battery and, if necessary, supported on the body or other points.
The preferred position is between the road and the vehicle when the vehicle is on all four wheels. It is also possible to have the system penetrate through the interior and trunk or from the top of vehicles lying on the side of the roof.
System activation
The system is activated via the control unit at a sufficient distance from the vehicle (approx. 8 meters). The extinguishing mandrel is driven into the battery with a force of several tons and the extinguishing water is discharged through the perforated extinguishing lance directly inside the battery.
The water fills the battery housing completely and thus leads to efficient cooling. The amount of water in a normal TLF/HLF is sufficient to ensure successful extinguishing. A normal pressure pump is sufficient for the supply of extinguishing water.
extinguishing system
After the battery has been cooled so that the cell temperature is in a safe range, the vehicle is ready for transport. The extinguishing system can remain in the battery during transport (and at the quarantine site).
This means that water can be quickly reintroduced into the battery housing at any time, regardless of whether the vehicle is transported with a roll-off container or on a tow truck with a fire protection blanket.
technology confirmed
Professional and voluntary fire brigades in Europe have been testing the system for months with their operational tactics
The system was tested in numerous fire tests by Rosenbauer with a wide variety of battery designs (pouch, prismatic, and round cells) in various vehicle platforms.
In addition, company, professional and voluntary fire brigades in Europe have been testing the system for months with their operational tactics, operational technology, and their teams and were able to show that it is compatible with the existing resources and tactics.
user-friendly and effective
"We were very pleased to be able to develop and test the extinguishing system together with Rosenbauer and to be able to participate in the improvement and further development. The extinguishing system is currently one of the best and most innovative of its kind to contain the spread of a battery fire."
"The operation is very user-friendly and effective. In my opinion, the system is a must-have for every fire department. We are proud to have such close cooperation with Rosenbauer and look forward to tackling new projects together in the future,” said Patrick Looß, head of the Securitas Fire & Safety plant fire department c/o Porsche Leipzig.
safe use of electromobility
“Discharging batteries is an important, social contribution to the safe use of electromobility. That is why the VDA/VDIK supports the topic. Manufacturers such as Opel, Volkswagen, BMW, Volvo, Tesla, and Audi have provided battery packs of the latest generation and complete vehicles for the important and necessary fire tests over the past 2 years."
"The best way to avoid pollutants in the air and extinguish water is to extinguish quickly and efficiently. And the Rosenbauer extinguishing system guarantees this in connection with an application that is as safe as possible for fire brigades," said Jürgen Peitz, head of the VDA & VDIK interdisciplinary working group “Rescuing people from accident vehicles.” The new Rosenbauer battery extinguishing system can be ordered now and will be delivered early next year.