I’ve been doing some research on fire safety for electric vehicles, particularly concerning lithium-ion battery fires. There seems to be a lot of debate about the effectiveness of salt water as a fire extinguisher in this specific context.
Here’s what I’ve gathered:
Salt Water Properties: While regular water can aid in extinguishing fires, adding salt could change how it behaves. Salt can enhance electrical conductivity, which might not be great for fires involving batteries.
Risks of Using It: There are concerns that the salt can corrode metals and components inside the EV, potentially leading to more problems down the line.
Best Practices: I’ve read that specific types of extinguishers designed for battery fires, like Class D fire extinguishers or specialized foam extinguishers, are recommended instead of water.
Questions:
Has anyone had experience with this?
What are the best methods for dealing with battery fires, especially in an EV?
Could salt water be more hazardous than helpful in these scenarios?
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences!
I’ve read that salt water can be effective in certain fire scenarios, especially when dealing with lithium-ion batteries in EVs. The salt can help to cool the area and possibly prevent reignition. However, I wonder how it stacks up against foam and fresh water?
Salt water is indeed corrosive, but in an emergency, putting out the fire takes precedence. Fresh water might help, but it may not be as effective due to the chemical reactions involved with lithium-ion batteries.
That’s true, keith39. I heard foam is preferred for EV fires. It can smother flames without cooling too quickly, which can lead to re-ignition. Anyone have experience with that?
Using foam is definitely more effective in smothering fire and reducing the air supply. It can help in preventing reignition better than salt or fresh water, which can be problematic when dealing with EV fires.
Good point, johnsonjulie! In many cases, having some form of fresh water accessible is more realistic for most people. Salt water could be an alternative in coastal areas if there’s an emergency, though.
Living near the ocean, I see salt water as a viable option. Still, I wonder if any studies support this theory on effectiveness with EV fires. Anyone seen research on it?
I’ve seen a couple of informal studies mentioning salt water’s potential in extinguishing certain types of fires, including car fires, but concrete data is sparse. We need more research on this specific topic!
I’d say it’s likely to depend on the fire’s intensity and type. There might be times when improvising with salt water could actually be beneficial, so it’s not a total write-off!
Haha, right! Although in real-life situations, every little bit counts during an emergency. I just wouldn’t want to be the one left holding a bucket of salt water!
Safety first, always! It’s crucial for people to know what works best in their specific situation. Whether that’s foam, fresh, or maybe even salt water, let’s just be prepared for anything.
Using salt water can be dangerous for EV fires! The chemical reactions can lead to corrosion of the battery components, which might exacerbate the fire risk. It’s best to stick with standard extinguishing agents designed for lithium-ion batteries.
While some might argue it could work in a pinch, the environmental impact of using saltwater isn’t negligible. It can contaminate the surrounding area, especially if it’s near freshwater sources. Best to consider the alternatives!