• The following presentation is for informational purposes only

Copyright © 2006, Robert G. Cook, all rights reserved

• Gasoline and Electric orGasoline and Electric or

• ElectricElectric

• Hydrogen Hydrogen

• Natural GasNatural Gas

• PropanePropane

• Multi-fuel units – Flex fuelMulti-fuel units – Flex fuel

• Have been out for several yearsHave been out for several years• Many new ones in planningMany new ones in planning• Growing demand, Dealers can’t keep them Growing demand, Dealers can’t keep them

in stockin stock• Look-alikesLook-alikes• Need to investigate at incidentsNeed to investigate at incidents• Samples Samples

Presentation objective:To make Emergency responders

aware of some of the hazards of vehicles with normal, Hybrid and alternate fuels

Awareness Training OnlyAwareness Training Only FYIFYI

For your InformationFor your Information

NOT An Approved CourseNOT An Approved Course Information onlyInformation only

You must use your skills learned in You must use your skills learned in NYS Approved classes, NYS Approved classes,

your Dept. training & SOG’syour Dept. training & SOG’sand your common sense and your common sense

or let somebody else to do it.or let somebody else to do it.

What is a Hybrid ?

• More then one power source.• Synergistic drive• Energy conversion• Series and Parallel systems• Gasoline Engine and/or Electric Motor(s)

• Gasoline-electric hybrid means the vehicle contains a gasoline engine and an electric motor for power.

• The result of combining these two power sources is increased fuel economy and reduced emissions.

• The gasoline engine also powers an electric generator to recharge the battery pack.

• Depending on the driving conditions one or both sources are used to power the vehicle.

• The illustration demonstrate how the Hybrid operates in various driving modes.

• On light acceleration at low speeds, the vehicle is powered by the electric motor. The gasoline engine is shut off.

• During normal driving the vehicle is powered mainly by the gasoline engine.

• The gasoline engine and/or the Electric motor are also used to recharge the battery pack.

Power control unitInverter/converter

Inverter/converter

• Silverado / Sierra Pickup trucks Silverado / Sierra Pickup trucks • Gasoline powered with 12 volts systemGasoline powered with 12 volts system• Automatic off engine Automatic off engine • 42v Electo-hydraulic steering and brakes42v Electo-hydraulic steering and brakes• Has 120 volt AC system to run tools or other Has 120 volt AC system to run tools or other

normal house hold itemsnormal house hold items• 2.4 kilowatt Generator2.4 kilowatt Generator• 42 volt battery pack in rear of cab42 volt battery pack in rear of cab• Three phase cables (Orange Color)Three phase cables (Orange Color)• Battery pack disconnect in R R behind seatsBattery pack disconnect in R R behind seats

Chevrolet / GMC

Ford

• ESCAPE HYBRIDESCAPE HYBRID• Gas and Electric DriveGas and Electric Drive

• 300 volt battery pack in rear floor300 volt battery pack in rear floor• Heated cells may release HydrogenHeated cells may release Hydrogen

• Park, Shut off and remove keyPark, Shut off and remove key• Disconnect 12 volt negative wireDisconnect 12 volt negative wire

• Disconnect switch in rear floor panel on right Disconnect switch in rear floor panel on right sideside

• Hi Voltage – Orange CablesHi Voltage – Orange Cables

ToyotaToyota• CAMRY, Gas or CNGCAMRY, Gas or CNG• RAV 4, Gas or ElectricRAV 4, Gas or Electric• PRIUS, Gas-ElectricPRIUS, Gas-Electric• HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER, Gas-ElectricGas-Electric

• Compressed Natural Gas Compressed Natural Gas

• approximately 3,600 psi. approximately 3,600 psi.

• Pressure relief valve melts at 212 F to Pressure relief valve melts at 212 F to prevent tank ruptureprevent tank rupture

• Park, Shut off and remove keyPark, Shut off and remove key

• Manual and automatic shut off valvesManual and automatic shut off valves

• Fire responseFire response

• Non fire responseNon fire response

CAMRY#3 Manual CNG Shut off

Valve

Fuel Shut off

Fuel Shut Off

RAV 4• Electric powerElectric power• 228 volts228 volts• Park, Shut off and remove Park, Shut off and remove

keykey• Power service plugPower service plug

disconnectdisconnect

under left rear passengerunder left rear passenger

carpetcarpet• Orange CablesOrange Cables

Prius• Gas-Electric power• 274 Volts274 Volts• HI Volt pack behind rear seatHI Volt pack behind rear seat• 12 volt battery left side trunk12 volt battery left side trunk• Park, Shut off and Park, Shut off and remove keyremove key• Disconnect 12 volt battery Disconnect 12 volt battery and/orand/or• Remove IGCT relayRemove IGCT relay under hoodunder hood• Orange cables for Hi-VoltageOrange cables for Hi-Voltage

Prius• Gas-Electric power• 274 Volts274 Volts• HI Volt pack behind rear seatHI Volt pack behind rear seat• 12 volt battery left side trunk12 volt battery left side trunk• Park, Shut off and Park, Shut off and remove keyremove key• Disconnect 12 volt battery Disconnect 12 volt battery and/orand/or• Remove IGCT relayRemove IGCT relay under hoodunder hood• Orange cables for Hi-VoltageOrange cables for Hi-Voltage

• 12 volts, 42 volts

• 288 volt Battery pack under rear seat.

• 650 Volts

• 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive versions

• Remove IGCT relay Remove IGCT relay under hoodunder hood

Lexus RX400h and Toyota Highlander

Lexus RH400h and Toyota Highlander

Lexus RH400h and Toyota Highlander

• 2 Inverter/converters

changes Hi-voltage

228v to 42v

and

228v to 650v

• A & C post SRS

Honda

• Accord

• Civic

• Insight

Accord, Civic, Insight

• Gas and Electric• 12 Volt and 144 Volt systems • Volt Packs behind rear seats, over fuel tanks• Hi-voltage cables run under floor to motor• Park it ,Shut off and remove key• Disconnect or cut 12 volt negative cables(2) • Pull main fuse under left rear corner of hood• Orange wires for Hi- Voltage• Accord roof removal dangerous (C post srs)

MAIN FUSEMAIN FUSE

Plug Power

• Hydrogen fuel Cell power• Hydrogen compressed in tanks• 5000LBS PSI, 9.44LBS of Hydrogen• Very light gas 14 -1• 12 volt system and high voltage 400 volts• Over pressure vent under right rear bumper• Shut off and remove key and manual gas shut

off Hydrogen in right rear wheel well• Capacitor shut off switch under center for rear

seat in trunk

National Grid• Compressed Natural Gas

• Several different autos of various power systems including concept cars

• Alternate fuel Busses

New York State

• A clear colorless to amber colored, volatile liquid with a petroleum-like odor.

• Flash point below 0°F.• Less dense than water and insoluble in

water. Hence floats on water. • Vapors heavier than air. • Leaked vapors may travel to a source of

ignition and then flash back to the source.• Ethanol, gas with corn alcohol mixed in.

• 12 Volts Standard auto voltage

• Hybrids also have

• 42 volt systems

• High Voltage AC & DC

Battery Modules

• Under Floors

• Behind Rear Seats

• Nickel/Metal Hydride

• Stacks or rows of Cells similar to “D” Cells

• Sealed into Modules

• Never open or Breach the modules case

• If bubbling or fizzing, let it alone till it’s dead

• Causes severe burns of eyes, skin, and mucous membranes.• Avoid ANY contact. • Wear appropriate chemical protective gloves, boots and goggles. • Do not handle broken Modules• Wash away any material which may have contacted the body with

copious amounts of water or soap and water. • If contact with the material anticipated,• wear appropriate chemical protective clothing. (© AAR, 1999)• Keep material out of water sources and sewers. Apply water spray

or mist to knock down vapors. • Land spill: Dig a pit, pond, lagoon, holding area to contain liquid or

solid material. • Dike surface flow using soil, sand bags. Absorb bulk liquid with fly

ash or cement powder.• Neutralize with vinegar or other dilute acid.

•Power Modules on fire or leaking•Leave it alone and stay away from them!•Super strong Base/ Alkali. 13.5 •IT WILL BURN THE CRAP OUT OF YOU AND YOUR GEAR ! and metal & tissue•Chemical Burns are Bad Stuff•If you must extinguish- Special PPE, Class D, lots and lots of H2O, containment•Leaking – Special PPE – and Vinegar or Boric Acid + containment

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE

Standard house current 120 volts acAC throws - DC Grabs

120, 144, 228, 274, 288, 300+, 400, 650 Volts

BEWARE of Cables and

connections, High Voltage

• Remove Key, Disconnect or cut Negative or Remove Key, Disconnect or cut Negative or ground wire(s) to 12 batteryground wire(s) to 12 battery

• Activate Hi-voltage disconnectsActivate Hi-voltage disconnects

• Use caution as systems have a bleed down Use caution as systems have a bleed down time.time.

PriusFord Escape

RAV 4

Toyota FCHV

SDS

Inertia Switch

• For transportation it may be stenched. For transportation it may be stenched. • Contact with the unconfined liquid can cause Contact with the unconfined liquid can cause

frostbite by evaporative cooling. frostbite by evaporative cooling. • Easily ignited. The vapors are Easily ignited. The vapors are heavierheavier than air than air

and a flame can flash back to the source of leak and a flame can flash back to the source of leak very easily. very easily.

• The leak may be either a liquid or vapor leak. The leak may be either a liquid or vapor leak. • The vapors can asphyxiate by the displacement The vapors can asphyxiate by the displacement

of air. of air. • Under prolonged exposure to fire or heat the Under prolonged exposure to fire or heat the

containers may rupture violently and rocket.containers may rupture violently and rocket.

• Easily ignited. • The vapors are lighter than air and a flame can flash

back to the source of leak very easily. • 5 percent to 15 percent range5 percent to 15 percent range• The leak may be either a liquid or vapor leak. • The vapors can asphyxiate by the displacement of air. • Under prolonged exposure to fire or heat the containers

may rupture violently and have devastating results.• NFPA 52 - Compressed Natural Gas Vehicular Fuel

Systems Code - 1998

• Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas. Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless gas. • It is easily ignited.It is easily ignited.• The vapors are The vapors are lighterlighter than air. than air. • It is flammable over a wide range of vapor/air It is flammable over a wide range of vapor/air

concentrations. concentrations. • Hydrogen is not toxic but is a simple asphyxiant Hydrogen is not toxic but is a simple asphyxiant

by the displacement of oxygen in the air. by the displacement of oxygen in the air. • Under prolonged exposure to fire or intense heat Under prolonged exposure to fire or intense heat

the containers may rupture violently and have the containers may rupture violently and have catastrophic results.catastrophic results.

• General Hydrogen Gas Characteristics• • Hydrogen gas has a flammable range of between

4% and 74% by volume in air.• • Hydrogen can ignite with low ignition energy,

especially at higher concentrations. Prevent for ignition sources.

• • A hydrogen flame produces almost no heat radiation and tends to transfer a significant amount of heat to objects and materials impinged on by the flame, but not surrounding exposures.

• • Burning hydrogen produces a faint blue flame that is difficult to see, especially in sunlight.

• • It is possible to approach burning hydrogen, not see the flame and feel no heat.

Is it off or isn’t it ?

•The vehicle starts and becomes operational by turning the ignition key to start just like any

other typical automobile.

•However, the gasoline engine does not idle like a typical automobile and will start and

stop automatically.

Gasoline-Electric Hybrid Vehicle Operation

• It is important to recognize and understand the READY indicator provided in the instrument cluster.

• When lit, it informs the driver the vehicle is on and operational

• Even though the gasoline engine may be off and the engine compartment is silent.

Gasoline-Electric Hybrid Vehicle Operation

“Ready” light on dash

CHECK FOR THEM. IF YOU SEE IT, THE CAR IS “LIVE” AND POTENTIALLY

DANGEROUS !!!!

• Put it in park.• Set the parking brake• Remove the key and put it on the dashboard, Cut the power.

• Disconnect the 12 volt negative cables and the HI-voltage disconnects

TAKE OUT TAKE OUT THE KEY or THE KEY or KEY FOB !KEY FOB !

Air bag systemsSRS air bags take time to de-power Residual power can last from90 seconds to 3+ minutes for SRS

5 minutes Bleed Down for HI-Voltage

CIVIC HYBRIDCut zone

ACCORD HYBRID Cut zone

Dress

  A. Protective clothing PPE(insulated rubber gloves, Face & Eye protection)

Do not touch a bare cable that could be a high voltage cable. If you need to touch it, wear insulated gloves and use vinyl tape to insulate the ends of the cable. 

  Necessary items    a.     Protective clothing, no leather or wool

b. Hot Stick    c .   Saturated boric acid solution or vinegar

    d.     Red litmus paper    e.     Class “D” extinguisher

        f.      Vinyl tape for insulating cables

Turnout Gear with SCBA

operations

• Stabilizing hazards• Don’t Crib or place airbags under Hi Voltage harnesses or alternate fuel lines and

energy storage units• Extricating hazards• Set all powered options prior to killing power.• Make sure the car is DEAD and the power is

disconnected and drained (Keys)• Don’t cut into HV Battery modules, wires, fuel

lines and SRS systems

SummarySummary

• Use Extreme Caution. Do a good size up.Use Extreme Caution. Do a good size up.

• Check for the Check for the READYREADY light, Remove the keys light, Remove the keys

• Chock the wheels, Crib the vehicle as neededChock the wheels, Crib the vehicle as needed

• Think High Voltage and fuel systemsThink High Voltage and fuel systems

• Think Safety First with these guys.Think Safety First with these guys.

• Maybe you need to wait for help !Maybe you need to wait for help !

Any questions ?

That’s all Folks

This presentation is for information purposes only.Persons viewing this presentation should not use it for any other purposeand should operate around all motor vehicles based on their training and the rules and operating guidelines of the organizations they belong to and/or have responded with.

some web sights to use for reference• www.Extracation.com• http://www.toyota.com/

• http://techinfo.toyota.com/• www.honda.com

• http://www.fordvehicles.com/escapehybrid/home/• http://www.iangv.org/

• http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/flextech.shtml

This Presentation was created for The East Greenbush NY Fire Dist.#3 By Robert Cook and Tom Whittemore It is for information purposes only.