Tips or thoughts on fire mitigation strategies

[Exodus D]

All - I've put a deposit down on a new 2023 Premium AWD with EXT battery and I'm stuck waiting on two recalls to clear (the 12v battery lockout recall and the backup camera recall).

That said, I did a search on these forums to see if other owners of Mach E's have any thoughts or tips on how best to mitigate the risk of HVB fires. To be clear, I am well aware that these risks are extremely small based on the current data. So, I am not wanting to debate safety of EVs vs ICE or Hybrids. Rather, I would like to steer the discussion towards if the worst were to happen, how might an EV owner (Mach E) specifically best prepare their home and family for such an event either at home or on the road? What are best (and reasonable) preventative measures that can be taken?

Additional comments/Questions I have:
-I do not currently have an EVSE installed at my house--I am currently getting quotes to hardwire a chargepoint charger via licensed electrician. I have reviewed various other threads on here related to charger install. With each of the electricians, I have stressed the importance of proper install and having things done per the code. I also am looking to have a surge protection device installed for the EV.
-Thoughts on charging in garage vs outdoors related to safety? I've read a wide range of opinions on this. My home has an attached garage. Installing outdoors isn't out of the question, but we do have a lot of trees near our driveway and I'm not sure parking outdoors is going to give a significant level of mitigation to our home, other vehicles, and neighbors.
-I've read through the owners manual, so understand that overcharging and discharging fully the battery will accelerate the wear on the battery.

I appreciate everyone's feedback. While I do believe that the risks are low, I still seem to think that the industry, public, and first responders may not have clear guidelines on how to handle such an event--particularly in rural areas of the US like where I am located.`

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[tbrumleve]

Hardwired is more safe than a plug in. So you’re on the right track there. Get the install permitted and inspected for extra piece of mind.

Outside is technically safer for your home if a fire breaks out. However, the fires are hot, so it may take the structure with it anyways, depending on distance from the structure and which way the wind is blowing.

On the road, not much you can mitigate. The only thing would be to get a reputable NACS adapter like the Ford or A2Z models. Don’t cheap out on this part by buying one from an unknown company.

 

[E90alex]

There is no need for concern or specific mitigation at all. Battery fires typically only happen after physical damage. An ICE vehicle is more likely to catch fire than an EV.

Install the EVSE where it’s most convenient for you. If it gives you more peace of mind to put it outside then that’s your decision.

Keep in mind if you do get freezing temps in the winter, more energy will be wasted to keep the battery warm if parked outside.

 

[Saberdentures]

Try to keep it away from external sources of fire; I would be more worried about a tree falling on your car and causing a fire (is that even possible? LOL) than the car catching fire in the garage.

 

[bbulkow]

All - I've put a deposit down on a new 2023 Premium AWD with EXT battery and I'm stuck waiting on two recalls to clear (the 12v battery lockout recall and the backup camera recall).

That said, I did a search on these forums to see if other owners of Mach E's have any thoughts or tips on how best to mitigate the risk of HVB fires. To be clear, I am well aware that these risks are extremely small based on the current data. So, I am not wanting to debate safety of EVs vs ICE or Hybrids. Rather, I would like to steer the discussion towards if the worst were to happen, how might an EV owner (Mach E) specifically best prepare their home and family for such an event either at home or on the road? What are best (and reasonable) preventative measures that can be taken?

Additional comments/Questions I have:
-I do not currently have an EVSE installed at my house--I am currently getting quotes to hardwire a chargepoint charger via licensed electrician. I have reviewed various other threads on here related to charger install. With each of the electricians, I have stressed the importance of proper install and having things done per the code. I also am looking to have a surge protection device installed for the EV.
-Thoughts on charging in garage vs outdoors related to safety? I've read a wide range of opinions on this. My home has an attached garage. Installing outdoors isn't out of the question, but we do have a lot of trees near our driveway and I'm not sure parking outdoors is going to give a significant level of mitigation to our home, other vehicles, and neighbors.
-I've read through the owners manual, so understand that overcharging and discharging fully the battery will accelerate the wear on the battery.

I appreciate everyone's feedback. While I do believe that the risks are low, I still seem to think that the industry, public, and first responders may not have clear guidelines on how to handle such an event--particularly in rural areas of the US like where I am located.`

I think its still fair to have a discussion of what mitigations are reasonable. As far as i know, there was one report of a fire, in gdansk in 2023, and it really looks like a fire on the bottom of the car that didn't involve the hvb, thus likely not the hvb at all. Reported as put of rapidly by firefighters, so maybe brakes or wiring? This includes damaged batteries and after accidents....

Am i mistaken? Has there been even a single fire "in the wild" of a mache? Not true of bolts or teslas....

Given 4ish years and probably over 100,00 ? On the road at this point, 0 is a pretty small number, and it's hard to consider any mitigation to be reasonable? If there haven't been any, how would you categorize reasonable mitigations?

This isn't ev vs non ev, this is different manufacturers. Engineering is a thing....

I park mine next to my house and change it there, just where i parked my prior cars.... So i don't have any reasonable mitigations.

Ps i also have a 23 premium x. 40k miles. Pretty trouble free. I hope you enjoy it!

 

[4sallypat]

There is no need for concern or specific mitigation at all. Battery fires typically only happen after physical damage. An ICE vehicle is more likely to catch fire than an EV.

Install the EVSE where it’s most convenient for you. If it gives you more peace of mind to put it outside then that’s your decision.

Keep in mind if you do get freezing temps in the winter, more energy will be wasted to keep the battery warm if parked outside.

100% agree !

 

[Exodus D]

Appreciate the feedback so far.

Does anyone have experience with heat detectors? Consumer Reports was recommending these for garages over smoke detectors (general car fire prevention measure). But reading more, there are detectors now that pick up on battery gases--anyone familiar with these?

 

[4sallypat]

Appreciate the feedback so far.

Does anyone have experience with heat detectors? Consumer Reports was recommending these for garages over smoke detectors (general car fire prevention measure). But reading more, there are detectors now that pick up on battery gases--anyone familiar with these?

My garage has built in fire sprinklers.

Not worried about a garage fire but still worried about the cleanup and mold issue should it trip.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Make sure you use this liberally on your car as well. It's best to be safe from all risks, no matter how unlikely!

 

[AngryMan]

I have a small camera and a thermometer with sensor in my garage . I can monitor the temp from inside the house and see what's happening IF the temp starts to climb . I have started ( after 4 years ) charging outside during hot days . Not sure if outdoors heat is better than garage heat but it makes me feel better . UNCOIL the charging cable to help dissipate the cable heat.
The ChargePoint app makes it easy to see what the session is looking like . I assume the graph will look different if somethings happening or about to.
Most chargers have 25 foot cables so the charger can still be inside the garage and the car outside if they're placed in the right locations.
A garage fire happened 3 houses down from me about 3 months ago . I was praying that it wasn't an EV . It was an ICE ....but it pushed me to rethink my summer/heat/humidity charging.
I just can't be the guy who burns down the neighborhood .

 

[Exodus D]

My garage has built in fire sprinklers.

Not worried about a garage fire but still worried about the cleanup and mold issue should it trip.

Yeah, it isn't required in SC. I thought about this if only to help reduce the spread to the rest of the house. Did you add that when you got EV or did you have it in your house already?

 

[Exodus D]

I have a small camera and a thermometer with sensor in my garage . I can monitor the temp from inside the house and see what's happening IF the temp starts to climb . I have started ( after 4 years ) charging outside during hot days . Not sure if outdoors heat is better than garage heat but it makes me feel better . UNCOIL the charging cable to help dissipate the cable heat.
The ChargePoint app makes it easy to see what the session is looking like . I assume the graph will look different if somethings happening or about to.
Most chargers have 25 foot cables so the charger can still be inside the garage and the car outside if they're placed in the right locations.
A garage fire happened 3 houses down from me about 3 months ago . I was praying that it wasn't an EV . It was an ICE ....but it pushed me to rethink my summer/heat/humidity charging.
I just can't be the guy who burns down the neighborhood .

Camera is probably a good idea, thanks.

 

[4sallypat]

Yeah, it isn't required in SC. I thought about this if only to help reduce the spread to the rest of the house. Did you add that when you got EV or did you have it in your house already?

The house was built in 2011 and it was standard by the builder.

If you don't have sprinklers, next best is to install a monitoring system with cameras.
I have the Ring system and it will call the fire dept should the heat sensor trigger anywhere in the house.

Plus I have a Ring camera in the garage for intrusion detection as well.

 

[AngryMan]

Camera is probably a good idea, thanks.

It also is a quick way to see if you closed the garage door ...without ever getting up from the recliner

 

[NorthlandPhil]

I installed a heat detector when I installed the EVSE. A smoke detector would not work in the garage on account of dust, engine fumes, temperatures, etc. It’s the same brand as detectors in the house (Kidde) and is wired to them. Any of them go off and they all go off. You should check the specs before installing one. Ambient temp in a garage in SC might be too high. I’m ok here where temp gets int 90s maybe twice a year.

Heat detector in garage not required here, but I like the added protection. Had one in my previous garage when I had no EV. Plenty of other things can cause fires in garage.

I also have ChargePoint Home Flex. Works great, but I don’t use any of its features. Schedule charging in the car. And I have an energy monitor to track it (and everything else in home).

It’s hardwired. They recommend you do not add GFCI as it may cause nuisance trips with the built in circuit protection in the EVSE.

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