Kia Niro: Emergency Procedures / General information

Initial Response: Identify, Immobilize and Disable

The following procedures should be used whenever you are dealing with a Niro at an emergency scene. All other operations should be consistent with your department’s standard operating procedures or guides. Hybrid is damaged by a crash may have compromised high voltage safety systems and present a potential high voltage electrical shock hazard. Exercise caution and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) safety gear, including high voltage safety gloves and boots. Remove all metallic jewelry, including watches and rings.

Identify

Niro has designed for Eco-electric vehicle, so when dealing with an Niro at an emergency scene, the first responders should always be careful of the high voltage system.

Immobilize

The next step is to immobilize the vehicle to prevent any accidental movement that can endanger response personnel and civilians alike. Although Niro has a function of virtual sound of engine, it may be damaged by a crash. Therefore, there will be instances where the vehicle appears to be off due to no engine sound.

When

"READY" lamp is light on the Cluster Instrument Panel, the vehicle can move almost silently using the electric motor. Responders should approach the vehicle from the sides and stay away from the front or rear as they are potential paths of travel.

Immobilizing the vehicle is the following procedure.

Disable

The final step in the initial response process, conducted after the vehicle is secured to prevent movement, is to disable the vehicle, its SRS components and the high voltage electrical system. To prevent current flow through the system, use one of the following procedures to disable the vehicle.

1.

Disabling the System – Smart Key System and “POWER” START/STOP Button (1) Confirm the status of the READY light on the instrument panel. If the READY light is illuminated, the vehicle is on. a. If the READY light is NOT illuminated, the vehicle is off. Do not push the “POWER” START/STOP button because the vehicle may start. b. To turn off the system, put the shift lever in the P (Park) position and press the POWER button. Without depressing the brake pedal Pressing POWER button POWER button LED color Vehicle condition Off Off One time Amber Electrical accessories are operational. Two times Reddish orange The warning lights can be checkedbefore the vehicle is started. Three times Off Off With depressing the brake pedal while a shift lever is in the P (Park) position Pressing POWER button POWER button LED color Vehicle condition Off Off One time Off Ready to drive (2) If necessary, lower the windows, unlock the doors and open the tail gate as required, before disconnecting the 12V battery. Once the 12V battery is disconnected, power controls will not operate. (3) Before disconnecting 12V battery, remove the Smart Key at least 2 meters away from the vehicle to prevent accidental restart. Smart key (4) Disconnect the negative (-) 12V battery cable, located in the luggage room, to further prevent the risk of accidental restart. (5) Use the following procedure to remove the safety plug and disable the high voltage battery: a. Remove the safety plug cover (A) under the rear seat. b. Unfasten the hook (A) to the direction of arrow. c. Unfasten the lever (A) to the direction of arrow. d. Remove the safety plug (A).

2.

Disabling the System – IG Fuse Removal (1) Open the hood. (2) Remove the engine room fuse box cover. (3) If necessary, lower the windows, unlock the doors and open the tail gate as required, before disconnecting the 12V battery. Once the 12V battery is disconnected, power controls will not operate. (4) In the event the vehicle may not be disabled using the “Power” START/STOP Button, pull the IG1, IG2 Fuse from the engine room fuse box. If the IG Relay cannot be located, pull out all the fuses and relays in the fuse box. (5) Disconnect the negative (-) 12V battery cable, located in the luggage room, to further prevent the risk of accidental restart. Before disconnecting the 12V battery (if needed) lower the windows, unlock the doors and open the tail gate as required. Once the 12V battery is disconnected, power controls will not operate. (6) Remove the safety plug and disable the high voltage battery (Refer to No.5 procedure in page 15) If already mentioned two methods of disabling system are unsuccessful, the vehicle is not secured from accidental deployment of undeployed airbags and electric shock of high-voltage components. Electrocution Risk • Before engaging in emergency response procedures, ensure the vehicle is disabled and wait 5 minutes to allow the capacitor in the high voltage system to discharge to avoid electrocution. • Exposed cables or wires may be visible inside or outside the vehicle. Never touch the wires or cables before disabling the system, to prevent injury or death due to electrical shock. Failure to follow these instructions can lead to death by electrocution.

Extraction Operations

Niro has designed only for Eco-electric models (HEV/PHEV), so the first responder should pay special attention when they extract occupants in the car. Before extraction operations, the first responders should carry out “Initial Response: Identify, Immobilize and Disable” in section of page 12-17.

Vehicle Stabilization

Use standard stabilization (cribbing) points, as shown beside. Always be sure to connect to a structural member of the vehicle and avoid placing cribbing under high voltage cables, fuel lines and other areas not normally considered acceptable.

Extraction tools and procedure

When responding to an incident involving a Niro, we recommend that the first responders follow their organization’s standard operating procedures for assessing and dealing with vehicle emergencies.

When the first responders cut the vehicle, they should always pay special attention to airbag system, orange colored high voltage cables and other high voltage components so that the parts are not damaged, causing risks of explosion.

Location of ultra-high strength steel

In the image, high strength steel is used in the areas colored in blue and ultra-high strength steel is used in the red coloured areas. Depending on the tools used, ultra high strength steel can be challenging or impossible to cut. If necessary, use a workaround technique.

NO-CUT ZONES

The areas highlighted in yellow indicate “no-cut zones” that must not be cut during emergency procedures due to high voltage, gas inflators and airbag hazards.

Never cut the high voltage, gas inflators and SRS components by referring to the components location shown below.

Vehicle Fire

Kia motors recommends that fire attack should follow standard fire fighting practices.

•	A burning or over-heating battery releases toxic vapors. These vapors include H2SO4, oxides of carbon, nickel, aluminum, lithium, copper and cobalt.

•	Responders should wear full PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), including SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus), and take appropriate measures to protect civilians downwind from the incident. Smoke from a Niro fire is similar to smoke from a conventional vehicle fire.

•	Even after a lithium-ion battery fire appears to have been extinguished, a renewed or delayed fire can occur.

•

In the case of extinguishing a fire with water, a powder extinguisher exclusively for an electric fire or large amounts of water from a fire hydrant (if possible) must be used. Do not extinguish fire with a small amount of water, to avoid electrocution. There is no risk of electric shock from touching the car’s body or framework; therefore, firefighters should not hesitate to pour large amounts of water to the vehicle.

•	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.

Submerged or Partially Submerged Vehicles

In the event the vehicle is submerged or partially submerged, remove the vehicle from the water before attempting to disable the vehicle. Use one of the methods described in sections of page 17 to 20 to disable the vehicle once it has been removed from the water. There is no risk of electric shock from touching the car’s body or framework — in or out of the water.

High Voltage Battery Damage and Fluid Leaks

If electrolyte solution leakage, or damage such as any problem with the Lithium ion battery casing are observed, the first responders should attempt to neutralize the battery by applying a large volume of water to the battery pack while wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The neutralization process helps stabilize the thermal condition of the battery pack but does not discharge the battery.

•	Cease all smoke, spark, flame around the vehicle.

•	Electrolyte solution is a skin irritant.

•	Do not touch or step on the spilled electrolyte.

•	If electrolyte leak occurs, wear appropriate solvent resistant PPE and use soil, sand, or a dry cloth to clean up the spilled electrolyte. Be sure to adequately ventilate the area.

Electrolyte Irritation The high voltage battery contains electrolyte solution. To avoid exposure to electrolyte solution and serious personal injury, always wear appropriate solvent resistant PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus). • Electrolyte solution is an eye irritant – In the event of contact with eyes, rinse with plenty of water for 15 minutes. • Electrolyte solution is a skin irritant. Therefore, in the event of contact with skin, wash off with a soap. • Electrolyte liquid or fumes coming into contact with water will create vapors in the air from oxidization. These vapors may irritate skin and eyes. In the event of contact with vapors, rinse with plenty of water and consult a doctor immediately. • Electrolyte fumes (when inhaled) can cause respiratory irritation and acute intoxication. Inhale fresh air and wash mouth with water. Consult a doctor immediately.