Battery, Electric Vehicle and Electrical Storage 2022

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Battery, Electric Vehicle and Electrical Storage System Response - INTERIM
(09/20/2022)
MONTGOMERY COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE
Hazardous Materials Team Standard Operating Guidelines
(2022) – (SOG#)
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Purpose:
The purpose of this SOG is to provide a framework for Hazmat personnel responding to incidents involving batteries, electric vehicles and/or electrical storage systems.
Guideline:
Initial Operations
� Confer with Incident Commander
� Immediate Rescue
o Determine if any individuals/occupants must be rescued or evacuated  Minimum PPE for rescue is structure fire PPE and SCBA
 Any immediate rescue will require water decontamination
� ACRE: Assess, Control Hazards, Rescue, Evacuate � Assess
o Coin Cell Ingestion
 Contact National Battery Ingestion Hotline (1-800-498-8666)
• Try to obtain battery type and size  Transport to ED is always indicated
o Note hazards identified by first responders
 Components that have elevated temperatures  LEL readings
 Carbon Monoxide (CO) readings
 Oxygen (O2) readings below 20.8%  Fumes
 Odors
 Leaking fluids
 Types of batteries involved:
• Primary (alkaline – not rechargeable) • Secondary (rechargeable)
 Any technical specialists that are responding or have been requested o Indications of high hazard operations
 Obvious fire involvement of any battery, battery pack or ESS
 Visible or audible off-gassing by a battery, battery pack or ESS
 Any LEL readings (that cannot be otherwise explained)
 Any CO readings (that cannot be otherwise explained)
 Any color change in wet Ph paper when exposed to air (that cannot be otherwise
explained)
 Elevated temperatures of battery, battery pack or ESS (that cannot be otherwise
explained)
 Fire impingement to exposure battery or in same compartment as fire
 Physical damage to a battery, battery pack or ESS
 Liquid leaks, pooling, etc.