Renault has announced that its ‘Fireman Access’ system, designed to help first responders tackle electric vehicle battery fires more efficiently, is now “freely available” to the wider automotive industry.
Developed in-house, the system allows firefighters to access a vehicle’s battery more quickly, reducing fire extinguishing times from several hours to just a few minutes, Renault said. “Fireman Access is the only fast and effective way of stopping thermal runaway,” the company stated.
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The system features an adhesive disc placed over an opening in the battery casing, which remains sealed under normal conditions. However, when exposed to a high-pressure jet from a fire hose, the disc moves, allowing water to reach the battery cells and cool them down rapidly. Renault claims this method also reduces water usage, requiring ten times less water than conventional firefighting techniques.
Renault has incorporated ‘Fireman Access’ in all its battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles and previously held seven patents related to the technology. These patents have now been made available through an open collaboration platform on the company’s website.
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“Innovating to improve road safety is part of who we are at Renault,” said CEO Luca de Meo. “Fireman Access is a practical demonstration of what can be achieved by combining our expertise as a manufacturer with the skills of the men and women who keep us safe every day. Today, I’m delighted to be making this innovation freely available, because when it comes to a subject like safety, we need to break down all the barriers.”
Despite its benefits, Renault acknowledged challenges in real-world use, such as the need for firefighters to recognize vehicles equipped with the system and locate the access point, which is positioned under the rear seat bench in Renault models. The company suggested standardizing the access point’s placement across the industry to improve emergency response times.
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Alternative methods for battery fire suppression also exist, including a perforated extinguishing lance developed by Austrian firm Rosenbauer, which drives into the battery casing to inject water directly. While more versatile, such specialized equipment is also more expensive.
Renault emphasized that making ‘Fireman Access’ freely available aligns with its broader commitment to road safety and collaboration with UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt. The initiative also supports Renault’s participation in the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Marrakesh.
