Fact Check: "New method extinguishes EV battery fires in just 10 minutes with 63 gallons of water!"
What We Know
The claim that a new method can extinguish electric vehicle (EV) battery fires in just 10 minutes using 63 gallons of water is based on recent advancements in firefighting technology. The City of Mountain View Fire Department has introduced a tool called the Battery Extinguishing System Technology (BEST), which is designed to rapidly extinguish lithium-ion battery fires. This system can deploy water at a rate of eight gallons per minute, potentially allowing for effective cooling and extinguishment of a fire within a timeframe that could be as short as 10 minutes, depending on the circumstances (source-1).
However, the BEST system is reported to require approximately 500 gallons of water to fully extinguish a fire over a longer period, typically around 60 minutes. This is a significant reduction compared to traditional methods, which could use up to 8,000 gallons and take several hours (source-1).
Additionally, other sources discuss various methods for extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires, including high-pressure cutting extinguishers that can achieve rapid results with minimal water (source-5).
Analysis
The claim that a new method can extinguish EV battery fires in just 10 minutes with 63 gallons of water is partially true. The BEST tool indeed allows firefighters to respond more quickly and effectively than traditional methods. However, the specifics of the water usage and time frame are somewhat misleading. While the BEST can deploy water rapidly, the total amount of water needed to fully extinguish a fire is much higher than 63 gallons, estimated at around 500 gallons for a complete extinguishment (source-1).
Moreover, the claim that it can be done in 10 minutes may refer to the initial suppression phase rather than the complete extinguishment of the fire. Other methods mentioned in the literature also emphasize the importance of using high-pressure systems to achieve rapid extinguishment, which could support the idea that new technologies are making strides in this area (source-5).
The sources used to verify this claim are credible, particularly the official release from the Mountain View Fire Department, which provides detailed information about the capabilities of the BEST system. However, some of the other sources discussing rapid extinguishment methods may not provide comprehensive data on their effectiveness or practical application in real-world scenarios (source-5).
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim that a new method can extinguish EV battery fires in just 10 minutes with 63 gallons of water is Partially True. While advancements like the BEST tool significantly improve response times and reduce water usage compared to traditional methods, the specifics regarding the amount of water and the time required for complete extinguishment are not accurately represented in the claim. The actual requirement is closer to 500 gallons over approximately 60 minutes for full extinguishment, which contrasts with the initial assertion.