Electric Vehicle Batteries (EVBs), Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), and Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) represent a rapidly advancing technology that involves high concentrations of flammable liquids. As these industries evolve, regulatory codes often lag behind, making performance-based solutions essential to ensuring the safety of both workers and the public.
Failure of EVBs, BEVs, and/or ESSs, can pose significant hazards, including the release of toxic gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), hydrogen fluoride (HF), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). EVB failure also presents a significant risk of fires and explosions, stemming from the accumulation of flammable gases such as hydrogen (H₂) and methane (CH₄).
EVB/BEV/ESS failures are typically classified into four stages:
- Abuse Factor – Mechanical, Electrical, and/or thermal abuse
- Off-Gas Generation – “Golden Time”
- Smoke Generation – Catastrophic failure is imminent
- Fire Generation – Propagation occurrence.
Early detection of off-gassing is crucial to prevent thermal runaway—a condition where the rate of internal heat generation surpasses the rate of external heat dissipation. Proper management and detection systems are essential to mitigate these risks and enhance safety in facilities handling EVBs, BEVs, & ESSs.
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EVB/BEV/ESS: Methods of Protection
Given the significant health and safety hazards associated with EVBs, BEVs, &ESSs it is crucial to implement preventative measures to ensure proper protection. Addressing battery degradation early, during the “Golden Time,” is essential. Early warning gas and/or thermal detection equipment can identify the initial stages of thermal runaway as off-gassing or heat generation begins.
EVB, BEV & ESS storage, charging areas, research and development, manufacturing, test cells, and test chambers all require specialized gas and/or thermal detection systems capable of identifying hazards early. Ino-Tek utilizes Early Warning Thermal Runaway equipment to provide comprehensive protection across all sectors of the industry, enhancing safety and mitigating risks associated with EVB, BEV and ESS operations.
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