ABS NISSAN LEAF 2016 1.G First Responders Guide

Page 13 of 40

3-1 Preparation Items
Preparation Items
Specification Purpose
Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE):
Insulated gloves Up to 1,000V
For
protection from high voltage
electrical shock
Insulated shoes –
Safety

shield –
Leather

gloves Must be able to fasten tight
around

the wrist (worn over
insulated gloves) . To protect insulated gloves
Wrenches Size: 10mm
T
o remove the service plug access
cover bolts.
To remove the 12-volt battery terminal
bolt.
Solvent resistant protection
gloves –
To utilize in the event of a high voltage
battery electrolytic solution leak.
Solvent resistant protection
shoes –
Absorbent pad The same pad used for internal
combustion engine fluids can be
used. To absorb any high voltage battery
electrolytic solution leakage.
Standard fire fighting
equipment Standard fire fighting equipment
Depending on type of fire (vehicle
or battery) use standard fire
fighting equipment (water or
extinguisher) . To extinguish a fire.
Insulated tape Insulating To cover any damaged harnesses to
protect from and prevent electrical
shock. Tape should cover all bare or
damaged wire.
FRG–13

Page 16 of 40

3-3 How to Handle a Damaged Vehicle at an Accident Scene
NO
TE:
If any air bags have deployed in the following 3 situations, the high-voltage (HV) system has
been designed to automatically shut off at the time of deployment.
The Nissan LEAF high-voltage system incorporates capacitors which are energized whenever the high-
voltage system is on. If the high-voltage system is shut down (either through one of the built-in automatic
mechanisms or manually through one of the procedures explained in this FRG) , the capacitors will begin to
gradually discharge. After 5 minutes, the voltage level will have dropped below 60V, and complete
discharge requires approximately 10 minutes after high-voltage system shut down. It is within
this period of time that responders must be most cautious.
When arriving to an incident involving a Nissan LEAF, the vehicle should be approached with caution and
inspected for the level of damage. In addition to overall vehicle condition (location and severity of body
damage, air bag deployment, etc.) , the high-voltage system should be assessed specifically. The locations
of the high-voltage component parts are illustrated in this FRG. Refer to 2-1 High Voltage-Related and
12-volt-Related

Component Locations and Descriptions (FRG–8) . Appropriate Personal Protective
Equipment

(PPE) must always be worn when approaching a vehicle of unknown condition, as described in
this FRG.
Situation 1) High voltage system intact, occupants can be accessed without extrication tools
The HV system can be shut down by following the procedures in this guide, while wearing appropriate PPE.
After HV system shut down, occupant assistance can begin immediately, and no wait period is necessary.
Situation 2) High voltage system intact, occupants cannot be accessed without extrication tools
The HV system can be shut down by following the procedure in this guide, while wearing appropriate PPE.
After HV system shut down, absolute care must be taken not to cut through or damage any HV system
wiring, battery or components within ten (10) minutes of HV system shut down, but occupant
assistance operations using extrication equipment can begin immediately. The locations of the HV
components are illustrated in this guide.
Situation 3) High-voltage (HV) system damaged
If there is any evidence that the HV system has been compromised (such as arcing/sparking, orange wiring
harnesses cut or damaged, HV component casings damaged, etc.) , the responder may still be at risk of
high voltage exposure. The vehicle must be approached with extreme caution prior to initiating any system
shut down procedures or rendering assistance to occupants. Appropriate PPE must always be worn as
described in this guide, and the ten (10) minute wait time must be observed after HV system shut
down in order to ensure the system is de-energized.
In rare situations where vehicle damage is very severe, HV system shut down procedures as described in
this guide may not work. In these instances extreme caution and appropriate risk management must be
followed to prevent shock or electrocution to the responder or occupant.
3-3.1 High Voltage System Shut-Down Procedures
Any of the following procedures can shut down and isolate the high voltage system. The first response
operation should only begin after shutting down the high voltage system. If the vehicle is heavily damaged,
for example the high voltage battery is deformed, broken or cracked, appropriate Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) must always be used and the high voltage battery and high voltage components must not
be touched.
FRG–16

Page 27 of 40

In the event of a small fire, a Type ABC fire extinguisher may be used for an electrical fire
caused
by wiring harnesses, electrical components, etc. or oil fire.
Fire attack should follow standard fire fighting practices.
If you must walk away from the vehicle, notify an appropriate responder or a rescue person of the fact that
the vehicle is an electric car and contains a high voltage system and warn all others.
During overhaul operations (late stage fire suppression process to examine for remaining sources of heat) ,
make sure the battery is fully cooled to avoid fire re-ignition. The battery could reignite if it is placed near fire.
To avoid possible electrical shock and serious personal injury, do not breach the high voltage battery case.
3-3.4 Cutting the Vehicle Body • Do not cut into high voltage related areas to avoid severe personal injury or death.
• Do not cut into the high voltage battery to avoid severe personal injury or death.
• When removing parts, NEVER touch the high voltage parts or the insides of the
exposed
orange-colored high voltage cables to avoid severe personal injury or death.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must always be worn when touching or
working on high voltage components. • Do not cut air bag parts to avoid unintended deployment of the air bags and the risk of
severe
personal injury or death.
If at least ten (10) minutes have passed since the rescuer shut down the high voltage system (refer to
3-3.1 High Voltage System Shut-Down Procedures (FRG–16)) , then the rescuer can cut the vehicle
except

for the high voltage battery. If the rescuer cannot wait the full ten (10) minutes or shut down the high voltage system,
absolute

care must be taken to avoid cutting HV parts and appropriate Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) must always be worn.DO NOT cut the high voltage battery due to
possible electrocution risk and electrolyte solution leakage.
FRG–27