Why Your Parking Garage Isn't Ready for an Electric Vehicle Fire (And What To Do About It)
The rapid rise of Electric Vehicles is a revolution in mobility. But with innovation comes new challenges, and one of the most critical is fire safety. A common question we hear is: "Why do we need a specialized fire blanket for cars? Wouldn't a standard extinguisher or even sand work?"
The answer lies in understanding the unique and formidable nature of a lithium-ion battery fire.
The Lithium-Ion Challenge: More Than Just Flames
An EV fire isn't your ordinary combustion. It's a complex chemical event called "thermal runaway" inside the battery pack. This process creates a perfect storm of hazards:
Extreme Heat: Temperatures can soar beyond 1000°C, melting through standard materials.
Toxic Gas: It releases highly toxic and corrosive gases, like Hydrogen Fluoride, posing a severe respiratory risk.
Reignition Risk: The battery can reignite hours or even days after the initial fire is put out, as stored energy continues to discharge.
Why Conventional Methods Fall Short
Traditional firefighting methods are simply not designed for this multi-faceted threat.