The whole automobile sector will have free access to the “Fireman Access” patents, according to a decision made by the Renault Group. Through the open collaboration platform, automakers and suppliers of parts can now get a free licence for this innovation. As part of this collaborative philosophy, licensees also commit to making any changes available to other community members.
Fireman Access is a unique innovation that enables emergency services to extinguish a fire on an electric car in about the same amount of time as on a combustion vehicle. It is the product of close cooperation between the fire services and the Renault Group.
Speedy extinguishing of EV fire
Technically speaking, the vehicle’s traction battery is sealed for regular usage by placing an adhesive disc over a hole in its shell. The only quick and efficient method of preventing thermal runaway is to use the fire hose’s strong jet to dislodge the disc and saturate the cells with water if the car catches fire and the flames spread to the battery. With this function, a battery fire can be put out in a matter of minutes as opposed to hours and ten times as much water without it.
As a result, firemen can return to operational preparedness faster thanks to Fireman Access. This technology, which is currently installed on all electric and plug-in hybrid cars sold by Renault, Dacia, Alpine, and Mobilise globally, has seven patents filed for it.
This program is the first tangible manifestation of Renault Group’s pledge to support Jean Todt, Special Envoy for Road Safety to the UN Secretary-General, in promoting road safety globally and utilising technological advancements to save lives on the roads.