06.2 - EV Fire Safety for Mining
Mining electric vehicles
The mining sector is investing in decarbonised transport at a rapid rate, perhaps investing more time & money than any other sector.
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Offering a quieter, cleaner environment with greatly reduced risk of diesel particulate exposure, lithium-ion batteries & mining EVs (MEVs) range from drones & dirt bikes to underground dump trucks carrying tonnes of product. There is also a range of electric and hydrogen passenger vehicles being rolled into fleet for both on & off site operations.
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EV FireSafe has been working to better understand the mining sector & explore the EV & lithium-ion battery fire safety impacts a thermal runaway event could cause.
As part of this work, our team met with a group of Australia's largest mining companies & also attended two Mining Emergency Response Competition (MERC) events, most recently in partnership with ERGT, a registered training organisation who have developed an EV hot scenario for firefighters.
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Download our Mining Electric Vehicles pack here:
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World leading EV fire training for the mining sector
At the 2023 MERC EV FireSafe & ERGT trialled a combined classroom & hot scenario training schedule for mining emergency response teams.
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This combination of important background theory & hands-on firefighter training is the first of it's kind in the world, & we're very excited to partner with ERGT to deliver this innovative training package.
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From 2024, we'll be offering training as follows:
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EV FireSafe - 1 hour online training webinars:
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EV Battery Fire Strategies & Tactics for Firefighters
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Battery Fire & Explosion Risks Deep Dive
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Can an EV Electrocute me? How to Isolate EV HV Systems/EVSE
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Can EVs Catch Fire Twice?
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ERGT - full day Emergency Response for Lithium-Ion Batteries
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Prerequisites by EV FireSafe:
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EV Battery Fire Strategies & Tactics for Firefighters webinar
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Prerequisites by ERGT:
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RIIERR201E Conduct fire team operations​
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PUAFIR207 Operate breathing apparatus open circuit
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Course consists of:
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Short knowledge recap​
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6 training scenarios, including fire in an electric vehicle, bus & storage system
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To register your interest, please email our Director at emma@evfiresafe.com
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What are the EV & battery fire risks in mining?
We don't yet have verified battery fire data in mining, however we can start to create some potential threats & consequences from other incidents.
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EV FireSafe can work with your EV procurement & emergency response teams to facilitate the safer transition to electrified mining vehicles for people & property. Contact our Director at emma@evfiresafe.com to discuss your site.
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EV & lithium-ion battery fire safety consideration should be given to the following:
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Higher risk:
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Vapes & personal mobility devices at mining camps
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Charging where MEVs are maintained or serviced
Lower risk:
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Personal & visitor EVs in carparks
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EV charging sites in carparks (outside main site)
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EV charging sites for MEVs above ground or near structures
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Road rescue from EVs for surrounding roads
Unknown risk:
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MEVs & charging infrastructure underground
Environmental risk:
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Remoteness, both site & for road rescue
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Confined nature leading to vapour cloud explosion risk
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Availability of water, potentially up to 10,000 litres
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Contamination of nearby waterways, natural bushland
Battery Fire Safety Basics - online course
For basic awareness of lithium-ion battery fire risks in the mining environment this short online course will help you mitigate risk & stay safer.
On completion, you'll be able to:
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identify LiBs at your site
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identify risks LiBs pose
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know when there's a higher risk of battery fire
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describe what to do if an LiB emergency happens
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explain basic LiB concepts to others
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This short course is live on our dedicated LMS, evfiresafe.business