Voir launches the VOIR® FEIN™ water-based fire suppression solution for new energy vehicles.

Release time：2019-07-27

As the number of new-energy vehicles continues to grow and their technology keeps advancing, the very nature of these vehicles—being electrically powered—means that there will always be a non-zero risk of fire or even explosion.

When combustion is unavoidable, what should be done? How to extinguish fires quickly, safely, and decisively has become a question that automakers, supply-chain manufacturers, and fire departments are continually grappling with.

Why is water injection considered the most effective method of fire suppression?

New energy vehicles equipped with sealed, structurally complex, high‑energy batteries—such as lithium‑ion batteries—are extremely difficult to extinguish once they catch fire. The lack of a specific, effective firefighting method can place a heavy burden on firefighters and significantly prolong response times. Moreover, sealing the battery makes fire suppression particularly challenging, and there remains a risk of reignition during storage and transportation. Following collaborative research with fire and rescue services, it has been concluded that injecting water into the battery is the most effective approach for cooling and extinguishing the fire.

1. Re‑ignition of lithium‑battery packs: Even after the open flame has been extinguished, a lithium‑battery pack may reignite due to localized overheating or the gradual precipitation of electrolyte, which can lead to new short circuits and heat generation. Consequently, the battery may catch fire again even when left undisturbed.

2. Once a new-energy vehicle battery catches fire, a handheld fire extinguisher is actually of limited use. If no firefighting facilities are available nearby, the most critical step in extinguishing a lithium‑battery pack fire is to cool it—cool it, and keep cooling. However, handheld extinguishers have weak cooling capabilities, and battery packs are often located in hard-to-reach areas such as the vehicle’s underbody, making direct spraying difficult.

3. Once the battery of a new-energy vehicle catches fire, even after the flames have been extinguished, any unprotected contact with the vehicle remains hazardous, as high-voltage electricity from the battery pack may have leaked into the vehicle’s structure.

VOIR®FEIN™ Water-Filled Fire Suppression System for New Energy Vehicles

Typically, after extinguishing the exterior fire of a new-energy vehicle, firefighters rely on overturning and dismantling the battery pack to confirm that the fire is fully out—a procedure that poses significant safety risks to both firefighters and support personnel.

In response to the challenges of extinguishing automotive battery packs—difficult to put out, prone to reignition, and hard to achieve definitive fire suppression—as well as the inconvenience of water injection, the Voir Technology team has developed the VOIR®FEIN™ water‑injection fire‑extinguishing solution for new‑energy vehicles, directly targeting the ignition source and adhering to firefighting standards. The VOIR®FEIN™ water‑injection system features a simple, pressure‑rated water‑injection port that is heat‑resistant, concealed under normal operating conditions, and sealed with an IP69 rating. When a fire occurs, a fire hose can be quickly aligned with the FEIN port according to the designated extinguishing markings to initiate water injection and suppress the blaze. Senior engineer Li Sheng stated: “Beyond providing a rapid fire‑extinguishing pathway, the most critical aspect of VOIR®FEIN™ is that both the initial firefighting and the process of achieving definitive extinguishment are carried out at a safe distance, significantly reducing risks.” The entire procedure is swift, clearly marked, involves direct water injection, and ensures rapid, definitive fire suppression.

For the past eight years, Voir Technology has focused on protective solutions for new energy systems, centering on waterproofing, breathability, sealing, cushioning, explosion-proof pressure relief, and safe fire suppression. To date, it has provided safety protection—from the cell level to the module level, PACK level, and vehicle system level—for top-tier automakers and new energy PACK manufacturers.

At the “2019 World New Energy Vehicle Safety and Recall Summit,” First-Class Fire Commander Bo Jianwei stated that the likelihood of fire incidents involving new energy vehicles may further increase in the future, and he called for stricter safety standards to protect the vehicle’s electrical systems. This is also the original intention behind Voir FEINTM, a solution designed by the Voir team, which they will continue to refine and implement going forward.

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