Electric vehicle fires require a unique response compared to traditional diesel or petrol engine fires. Learn all about QuarantineFence and how it extinguishes risk.

Electric vehicle (EV) fires pose a new kind of threat that many organisations simply aren’t equipped to handle. It’s not uncommon for firefighters responding to these incidents to lack the specialist equipment required to effectively combat these kinds of blazes. In the absence of clearly defined legislation, local governments and any organisations whose facilities come into contact with EVs should review their accident prevention strategies to minimise EV risk.

One solution already being adopted by fire services around the world is QuarantineFence. What is QuarantineFence, how does it work, and why are fire departments choosing it to protect their people, the environment, and their local communities from the risk of EV fires

About the author My name is Ben Seddon and since 2007 I’ve helped a wide range of industrial, institutional, educational, and commercial customers from across the UK source the Emtez solutions they need to comply with key legislation and keep their people safe. Today, these solutions include spill kits, absorbents, flammable liquid containers, and specialist lithium-ion battery storage solutions designed to contain and control lithium-ion battery fires in the event of an incident.

For a complete list of product specifications relating to QuarantineFence (both Lightweight and Heavyweight options) download your copy of the Lithium-Ion Battery Catalogue now.

What is QuarantineFence?

QuarantineFence is a battery flooding barrier first developed as a flood defence solution by the forward-thinking minds at Fluvial Innovations. Since acquiring Fluvial Innovations in 2023, we’ve worked closely with the team to raise awareness around QuarantineFence’s innovative lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery flooding applications, specifically for use on EV fires.

QuarantineFence solutions stand out as the ideal choice for a wide range of essential service providers, including emergency services, local councils, supermarkets, and service stations equipped with EV charging infrastructure. Thanks to their effortless storage and transport capabilities, you can proactively prepare for fire incidents, thereby guaranteeing the highest levels of safety and damage mitigation in these high-risk scenarios.

How does QuarantineFence work?

QuarantineFence works by submerging EV batteries in the event of thermal runaway or even a fire. In this way it can be used to proactively prevent a Li-ion battery that is overheating from catching fire as well as being able to extinguish batteries that have already ignited.

The fence itself comes in multiple side and corner units. This contributes to its ease of storage and deployment. In the event of a fire, these parts can be quickly assembled around the burning vehicle to create a watertight “ring”, which firefighters can then flood with water.

After a certain point, the Li-ion battery becomes submerged, cooling it until such a point as it’s no longer able to burn. The vehicle can then be safely contained in this way until the risk of re-ignition has passed.

Read more: What Equipment Do I Need to Prevent a Lithium-Ion Fire from Spreading?

QuarantineFence features

QuarantineFence Lightweight:

18 x Side Units:

• Dimensions (W x D x H): 1000 x 580 x 450mm (0.91m connected length)
• Unit weight: 4kg

4 x Corner Units:

• Dimensions (W x D x H): 9000 x 510 x 450mm
• Unit weight: 4kg

Supplied black and yellow alternating.

Net weight: approx. 90kg

QuarantineFence Heavyweight

18 x Side Units:

• Dimensions (W x D x H): 1000 x 600 x 500mm (0.95m connected length)
• Unit weight: approx. 20kg

4 x Inner Corner Units:

• Dimensions (W x D x H): 900 x 510 x 500mm
• Unit weight: 11kg

Net weight: approx. 400kg

While QuarantineFence is designed to be a reusable and robust solution for submerging EV batteries in the event of a fire, occasional damages may necessitate the replacement of certain parts. As with any safety solution, regular maintenance and periodic replacement of damaged components ensure the continued effectiveness of this protective measure.

How to put out EV fire risk across your operations

New kinds of threats necessitate new solutions tailored to address them. With more EVs taking to the road, it becomes increasingly important for fire departments and the local governments behind them to update their strategies for tackling these new kinds of fires.

Other services that come into contact with EVs on a regular basis, such as car park facilities, service stations, and supermarkets, should also consider investing in these solutions to operate responsibly, support their local fire service, and protect the community.

How would your organisation respond in the event of an EV fire, and how could QuarantineFence help you to put out EV fire risk?

For a complete list of product specifications relating to QuarantineFence (both Lightweight and Heavyweight options) download your copy of the Lithium-Ion Battery Catalogue now.