EVALUATION OF THE EFFICIENCY OF USING THE "COBRA" HIGH PRESSURE FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM DURING ELECTRIC CAR EXTINGUISHING

Abstract

The theoretical basis of using COBRA for extinguishing electric car batteries is
analyzed. The criteria for the effectiveness of the use of various fire extinguishing
agents for extinguishing lithium-ion power cells, which are the basis of electric vehicle
batteries, have been determined. Experimental results and a practical case of using the
COBRA high-pressure fire extinguishing system when extinguishing an electric vehicle
battery are presented and analyzed. In the case of the theoretical and practical
application of COBRA, the main differences are identified and the actions of
operational rescue units regarding the organization and management of extinguishing
are generally analyzed.
It was established that in practice the total extinguishing time of the
accumulator battery can exceed the experimental one by five times, and the amount of
forces and means used significantly exceed theoretical calculations. Additionally, it was
established that the COBRA operator may need additional protective equipment when
using it in dense smoke and confined spaces.
Theoretical and practical application of COBRA generally confirmed its
effectiveness and safety, however, only in the case of extinguishing accumulator
batteries made of prismatic or packet lithium-ion power cells.