Satbayev University scientists told how to safely extinguish electric vehicles

At Satbayev University, scientists from Physics and Technology Institute presented methods and tactics for extinguishing the electric vehicle fires. The presentation took place within the framework of the signed cooperation memorandum coordinated by Specialized environmental prosecutor's office of Almaty and was focused on practical application by the fire service and other organizations involved in ensuring public and environmental safety.

The research of Physics and Technology Institute is becoming more relevant with the growth of electric vehicles on the streets in Kazakhstani cities, which leads to the risks of accidents involving these vehicles, including fires. Satbayev University scientists, on the recommendation of Specialized environmental prosecutor's office of Almaty, conducted an analysis of the risks associated with electric vehicle batteries and developed proposals for their extinguishing. Scientists note that fires in electric vehicles are fundamentally different from fires in cars with internal combustion engines and require different approaches from emergency services.

- First of all, - said Nikolay Chuchvaga, deputy director of Scientific Work Institute, - you need to understand that battery ignition is not combustion in the usual sense, but a separate chemical process in which oxygen is released from the battery, as well as a variety of toxic gases. Therefore, it is not recommended to extinguish the electric vehicle with foam, as well as to approach it closely without personal protective equipment, such as, for example, a respirator.

During the meeting, the speaker, Arman Umirzakov, head of Electrochemistry and vanadium flow batteries laboratory, presented an overview of the physical and chemical processes that occur when batteries ignite, and outlined approaches that are effective for extinguishing electric vehicles. The meeting was attended by representatives of Specialized environmental prosecutor's office of Almaty, Emergency Situations Department of Almaty, as well as Zeekr and BYD companies. The proposals of Satbayev University’s scientists aroused practical interest and were presented as recommendatory techniques aimed at developing new experiences in responding to electric vehicle fires in the context of the growing use of electric vehicles. As a result of the meeting, it was decided to jointly further study the effective and safe extinguishing of electric vehicles and conduct explanatory activities for drivers in case of an electric vehicle fire.