In September 2021, we had the opportunity to test the VLITEX Car Service Set under realistic conditions. Together with the ADAC and the Hochburg/Ach fire department, we simulated a battery fire in an e-car involved in an accident. The aim was to demonstrate the performance of our fire blanket and to gain new insights that can be incorporated into the further development of our products.
Table of contents
Aim of the exercise: Focus on safety
The ADAC provided us with an electric car from a Chinese manufacturer that had been damaged in a crash test. The simulation was based on a realistic scenario: a battery ignites after an accident, for example during transportation on a tow truck. The VLITEX Car Service Set was to show how effectively it can protect the environment from the effects of a battery fire.
Procedure of the exercise: step by step
Step 1: Prepare the vehicle
The damaged vehicle has been carefully packed. Our VLITEX Car Service Set, consisting of heat-resistant and silicone-coated fiberglass fabric, was used to prevent flames, heat or smoke from escaping. The Hochburg/Ach fire department and neighboring fire departments were on hand to provide safety measures.
Step 2: Set the battery on fire
Igniting the battery proved to be more difficult than expected. The battery was deliberately ignited through a small opening, but the oxygen in the vehicle was quickly consumed. As a result, the conventional fire suffocated and it remained unclear whether the battery was actually burning. The ceiling showed its strength: it kept the pressure and heat inside stable and prevented it from spreading. Thermal imaging cameras and drones continuously monitored what was happening.
Step 3: "Airing"
After around 1.5 hours, the ceiling was partially lifted in order to fan the fire with an additional supply of oxygen. The flames spread through the interior, but the expected explosions of the battery cells did not occur.
Step 4: "Watering"
The chemical reaction of the battery was intensified by the targeted use of water. Eventually, the vehicle caught fire and the battery cells gradually exploded. This process took several hours.
Findings from the exercise
The exercise provided valuable insights that are both reassuring and challenging:
- Battery fires are difficult to ignite: Even under controlled conditions, it was difficult to set the battery on fire. This shows that modern batteries meet high safety standards.
- Battery fires can take a long time: A battery fire develops slowly. Individual cells ignite over a period of hours, making the course of the fire unpredictable.
- The VLITEX Car Service Set lives up to its promise: the blanket reliably protected the surrounding area from heat, smoke and flying debris. Even in intense temperatures, it remained stable and fulfilled its function of minimizing the effects of the fire.
- Important role of oxygen deprivation: By packing with the fire blanket , the lack of oxygen was specifically used to prevent the fire from spreading in the vehicle.
Efficient solution for battery fires
The exercise with the ADAC and the Hochburg/Ach fire department showed that the VLITEX Car Service Set offers a reliable and effective solution for dealing with battery fires. It protects the environment from the effects of fires and creates time for emergency services to initiate controlled measures. These results underline the importance of innovative solutions such as our fire blanket in the field of e-mobility
