VLITEX Blog Praxistest CER Roadshow

Nasty surprise during the fire extinguishing exercise

Every fire is different. Firefighters learn this basic rule in the first few minutes of their training. And we also experience this time and again – as, for example, in the practical firefighting test in Rhineland-Palatinate. What at first glance looked like a ‘mishap’ provides us with important insights and recommendations for action for our customers.

What had happened?

A conventionally powered vehicle was set on fire and covered with the VLITEX fire blanket. After 30 minutes, the thermal imaging camera measurements still showed over 400 °C temperature in partial areas under the ceiling. However, because the firefighters had measured mostly 150 – 200 °C, they still decided to remove the ceiling. The flames flared up again and firefighters scrambled to extinguish the blaze with vast amounts of water and foam. After two hours, this was finally done.

What does this story remind us of?

In early August, a historic Porsche caught fire on the A7 in northern Germany (see source) Even several thousand liters of water and foam could not smother the flames. A mixture of leaking fuel and magnesium components in the engine kept feeding the fire. It was finally decided to call the Flensburg professional fire department to the scene with a fire blanket. The blanket was placed over the vehicle and the fire was smothered. It took two hours before the vehicle could be towed away.

We are finding that it is not just the issue of e-mobility that can pose particular challenges in vehicle fires. That even older vehicles can burn unexpectedly long and resistant. And that the fire blanket can serve well.

Back to our extinguishing attempt

In early August, a historic Porsche caught fire on the A7 in northern Germany (see source) Even several thousand liters of water and foam could not smother the flames. A mixture of leaking fuel and magnesium components in the engine kept feeding the fire. It was finally decided to call the Flensburg professional fire department to the scene with a fire blanket. The blanket was placed over the vehicle and the fire was smothered. It took two hours before the vehicle could be towed away.

We are finding that it is not just the issue of e-mobility that can pose particular challenges in vehicle fires. That even older vehicles can burn unexpectedly long and resistant. And that the fire blanket can serve well.

The next attempt went better

Next attempt to extinguish. We set another vehicle on fire. This time the fire blanket could be removed after about 20 – 30 minutes, the fire did not flare up again. Everything went well.

We can report one more case where the temperature remained high. For cooling, they brought water to the ceiling with a C-pipe. This treatment was enough to drastically reduce the temperature even under the blanket.

Conclusion

New developments, new technologies or methods require fast learning, constant exchange and openness. Extinguishing tests help us gain important insights. This is the only way for everyone to quickly learn how to deal with the challenges. We hold:

  • Fire blankets are a resource-saving means of extinguishing vehicle fires.
  • If the fire cannot be extinguished in the expected time of 30 minutes, patience is required.
  • Even in special cases, conventional extinguishing agents do not extinguish faster than the fire blankets.