FIRST RESPONDER TRAINING

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Chevrolet VOLT First Responder Training

• 2 hr Training Session – Vehicle Introduction – Battery and Electrical Technology – Emergency Operations – Response to the Incident

Compiled by:Captain Frank DoyleLt. Paul GrossFF. Gregory Myers

CHEVROLET VOLTFACTS, FEATURES & SAFETY

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2007 2008 20092006 2010 2011

GM Electric and Hybrid Programs Continue…

GM-Allison Hybrid Bus

Chevrolet Tahoe & GMC Yukon

Cadillac Escalade

Silverado & Sierra

FWD Hybrid

Plug-inHEV

Saturn AURAHybrid

Saturn VUEHybrid

Chevrolet MalibuHybrid

Volt

Shanghai-GMBuick Hybrid

Lithium Ion for new programs launching in this timeframe

RWD2-ModeHybrid

Plug-In Hybrid

Voltec EREV

GMHybrid

GM-AllisonHybrid

More than 10 years of hybrid-electric technology

Key Electrical Technology of the Volt

Safety Overview• Structure and • Safety Integration

DaytimeRunningLights

Electronic Stability Control System

Anti-LockBrakingSystem

Systems to Help Absorb Energy from Impact

AutomaticCrashResponse

Post-Crash Occupant Protection

Automatic Door Unlock

Automatic Flashers

AutomaticHigh VoltageShutoff

Fuel Sender Shutoff

BEFORE AFTERDURING

Chevrolet Volt Continuous SafetyProtection Before, During, and After Vehicle Collisions

Comprehensive Safety

CHEVROLET VOLT BATTERY & ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY

100% Electrical Propulsion

• Volt Battery w/Cover

Volt Battery w/o Cover

Manual ServiceDisconnect

ElectricalInterface to Vehicle (Battery Disconnect Unit)

Sealed Battery Pack, Electrically Isolated System

First Responder Field Scenarios• Standard Operating Procedures :

Size-Up, Approach, Immobilize, Extinguish

Vehicle on FireNO increased risk to first responders

Vehicle in WaterNO increased risk

of shock hazard

Vehicle Labeling Strategy

– Danger & Warning– Color Coding– High Voltage Disconnect

Emergency Operations Involving Advanced Electric Vehicles

How will HEVs and EVs affect my response?

Perceived Issues

Concern:High voltage batteries will leak dangerous amounts of fluid if damaged.

Reality:•Batteries are not lead acid.•NiMH and Li-Ion are dry cell batteries.•Electrolyte is absorbed in a medium.•A few drops may be produced if cell is crushed.

Perceived IssuesConcern:I risk electrocution by touching an HEV/EV involved in a crash or is submerged.

Reality:•High voltage system is completely isolated from chassis.

•Integrated safety systems and basic electrical theory protect occupants and responders.

Perceived IssuesConcern:It will be difficult to disable the HV electrical system.

Reality:•Integrated shutdowns in the event of a crash.

•Shutting off the vehicle’s ignition will shut down High voltage.

•Backed up by 12v battery disconnection.

Perceived Issues

Perceived IssuesReality:• Fires in HEVs and Evs are

extinguished with standard firefighting procedures.

Concern:• Special Equipment is

needed for vehicle fires.

Actual Issues

• Solution:Always ensure vehicle is shut down and

secured from moving.

Issue:Unexpected movement is a serious concern for responders.

Actual Issues

Solution:• Automatic safety shutdowns.• Simple additional shutdown

procedures.• HV isolation from chassis.• System fuses.• Break in outer mesh of wire initiates

shutdown.

Issue:High voltage systems ranges from 100v to 360v DC and up to 650v AC.

RESPONDING TO THE INCIDENT

Safety ProceduresIdentify

Immobilize

Disable

Safety Procedures –Identification

•There are many types of labeling systems!

Safety Procedures -Identification

• Identification is not always easy due to damage.

Safety Procedures - Immobilize

• Chock the Wheels

• Engage Emergency Brake

• Place Vehicle in Park

Safety Procedures HV Disconnect

1Turn Vehicle OFF(push Start/Stop button- gauges turn off)

High Voltage Disconnect Procedure

2Access 12V Cut Locations(left side of trunk)

Making the Volt safe for patient extrication:

• Cut the 12 volt cable in the trunk where it is labeled. – You will need to cut the cable in two spots.– Both cut marks are labeled on the cable

High Voltage Disconnect Procedure

3Cut and Remove Section of 12V Cable

High Voltage Cables

• The high voltage cables are not in the typical cut areas. – Always peel interior paneling before you cut.

• The high voltage cables are orange but they may have black plastic around them for protection.

Other information

• The high volt battery has sensors that should disconnect the batteries power during impact.

• If concerned that the high volt battery was not disconnected during impact.– Pull the high voltage manual service disconnect– Simply pulling the high voltage manual service disconnect

will not disconnect the 12 volt power.– Still cut the 12 volt cable in the trunk

12 Volt Disconnect

• If you can not access the 12 volt cable in the trunk.– Pull all fuses in the fuse box – This will disable the airbags– Fuse box is on the dash by the drivers door

• Also there is access to the 12 volt cable in between the B and C post in the rocker panel on the drivers side.– The cable is RED

Standard Responses

Making the Volt safe for patient extrication

• Approach the vehicle from the side• Chock the wheels• Make sure the vehicle is turned off.– If the LCD screens are illuminated the Volt is running– You can not hear the Volt when running on battery power– As a safety if you open the hood while the Volt is running

on battery power the generator will start.– The generator sounds like an engine.

Crashes/Extrications

• Follow Recommend Shut Down Procedures.

• No Special Extrication Techniques.

• Be Aware of HV Components and Wiring.

Fire attack on the high voltage battery

• DC Power does not seek a path to ground.• ABC extinguishers will not work• Copious amounts of water will work• The batteries are not lead acid so they will not

leak dangerous amounts of fluid. • Once the battery is involved, consider

defensive attack if there are no exposures.

Submersion

• No additional hazards for hybrid vehicles.• Some bubbling at battery terminals if water is

contaminated.

CONCLUSION

• HV vehicles will continue to evolve.

• Education is key to safety!!