The blankets suppress and contain fires in lithium-ion battery-powered cars
As storm surges push more water inland, the risk of cars being submerged increases. Electric vehicles (EVs) and other products powered by lithium-ion batteries can ignite when exposed to saltwater.
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) now has EV fire blankets ready to combat the intensely hot and toxic blazes electric cars can create.
Extreme temperatures and toxic smoke
An EV fire can present more challenges than a gasoline-powered car fire. This is due to the lithium-ion batteries in a burning EV creating self-sustaining temperature increases, or thermal runaway. As a result of the uncontrollable heat that's generated within the battery cells, EVs can burn longer and at higher temperatures.
There is also a greater risk of toxic gases being released from EV fires.
Compared to when a non-EV catches fire, an electric vehicle fire requires significantly more water to reach and eventually reduce the intense heat sourced from the tightly encased car battery.
Furthermore, because the batteries in most EVs are located below the cars' floor, it can be difficult to blast a direct stream of water at the source of the blaze.
Fire blankets in action
Containing and suppressing an EV fire is paramount to extinguishing it. Fire blankets are designed to do exactly that by reducing the fire's oxygen supply and smothering the flames.
Just as important, these blankets also reduce the amount of chemical-infused smoke released from the fire.
To avoid getting too close to the dangerous flames and toxic fumes, firefighters use poles to pull the tarp-like tool over the vehicle while wearing full firefighting gear and air packs.
Once the car is fully covered by the blanket, the vehicle can be doused with water from below. HCFR uses a special fire nozzle hooked to a hose that slides under the blanket and car to assist in extinguishing the burning vehicle. This ensures that the water reaches the battery.
To help prevent the fire from reigniting, a fire blanket is sometimes left on the car for weeks following the initial flames.
The blankets can withstand high temperatures due to their carbon fiber- or silica-coated construction. Some products can withstand temperatures up to 1,112 degrees Fahrenheit. They come in a variety of sizes and can weigh over 70 pounds each when in the 20-by-26-foot size range.
How to prevent lithium-ion battery fires
The extremely hot, toxic fires that can result when lithium-ion batteries ignite are not limited to EVs. Electric golf carts, scooters, bikes, toys, laptops, and power tools can also pose fire risks.
To mitigate the chances of lithium-ion battery-powered vehicles catching fire, it's recommended that these vehicles be moved to higher ground when there's risk of a saltwater storm surge.
Regardless of whether a car is electric or gas-powered, if severe rains are expected, vehicles should always be relocated to areas with less flooding risk.
This story is part of Hillsborough County's 50-for-50 Series, a historic review of some of the memorable events, dates, and people in the history of Hillsborough Fire Rescue, which was born on Aug. 27, 1973.
Want to know more? Read additional stories that show the growth, bravery, and specialized operations of Hillsborough County's largest department.