Fire suppression technology is evolving rapidly to meet the demands of high-risk environments, including electric vehicle (EV) battery fires and industrial hazards. One of the notable solutions in this niche is Poseidon, from Trinity Fire Products. This analysis will compare Poseidon with other EV fire nozzles on the market. While they all aim to control and extinguish high-intensity fires efficiently, they differ in design, materials used in construction and deployment options.
Purpose and Specialization
There are quite a few nozzles built for combating thermal runaway in electric vehicle batteries, a growing concern due to the proliferation of EVs globally. Some nozzles are designed to penetrate the battery enclosure to begin cooling , while others direct water to the hot areas of the battery. The EV Nozzle specializes in stopping thermal runaway specifically for lithium-ion batteries.
In contrast, Trinity Fire Products’ Poseidon is a broader fire suppression tool, designed to be highly adaptable for various high-risk scenarios, including railcar and pressurized cylinder, enclosed compartments such as storage lockers and garages, and mass decontamination. Poseidon is more versatile, used across different scenarios rather than focusing exclusively on EV fires.
EV Fire Nozzle Design and Mechanism
Some EV Fire Nozzles feature a piercing head that penetrates the battery outer case and injects water into the battery to cool it. These nozzles tend to be very expensive to purchase, difficult to assemble and need constant training to remain proficient. A big disadvantage with these nozzles is they may not be inserted into the part of the battery going into thermal runaway, thus slowing it’s purpose. Battery manufacturers do not recommend piercing of the battery. This could lead to a disastrous outcome.
Other nozzles use direct application of water to cool the battery surface. This can be either misting or high gallonage nozzles. Misting nozzles range from 10 – 100 gpm, while high gallonage nozzles range from 100 – 500 gpm. Best practices standard is at least 300 gpm to stop and reverse thermal runaway.
On the other hand, the Poseidon Nozzle system is engineered for high-volume water discharge using 170 holes spread along the wide surface to create and more efficient cooling force. Its wide spray pattern maximizes the colling ability especially when it is unknown what part of the battery is in thermal runaway.
Nozzle Deployment
Some EV fire nozzles can be complicated to assemble and deploy. Piercing nozzles can have many components for proper functioning. Air bottles and hoses add to the complexity of these nozzles, thus needing constant training to remain proficient. Ground clearance can be an issue with lots of under vehicle nozzles. Tesla model 3 ground clearance can be as low as 4.6 inches. When the tires blow out from the fire this will reduce even more. Almost all EV nozzles need to be deployed prior to initiating water flow. This requires a second handline to protect the deployment of the EV nozzle firefighter.
Poseidon, by contrast, is two parts to assemble making it user friendly with very minimal training to remain proficient. Once connected to the hose we recommend flowing water while deploying Poseidon. This gives us two advantages. The first is the nozzle is continuously being cooled by hydrant water temperatures typically 50-60 degrees F. The second advantage Poseidon has is being able to flow while deploying is the spray pattern. It is wide and similar to a fog nozzle pattern. This gives the deploying firefighter protection from high heat, flames and toxic gases.
Other Applications for Nozzles
Most EV fire nozzles tend to be designed only for one purpose.
Poseidon, on the other hand, is primarily an EV nozzle that can very effectively function as other vital tools on the fireground. After structural firefighting or a hazmat incident Poseidon can be deployed as a mass decontamination unit quickly and easily with 4 large carabiners and a ground ladder. Pressurized tank and rail cars can be cooled using Poseidon. Washing the undercarriage of our vehicles is easily accomplished with Poseidon. This makes Poseidon stand out from all the other nozzles on the market.
EV Fire Nozzle Cost and Maintenance
Piercing nozzles can be very costly to purchase and maintain. Every usage at an EV fire requires another piercing head to be replaced. Air hoses and bottles need to be maintained and replaced. Nozzles made of steel tend to be heavy and can lead to rusting, damaging the unit.
Trinity Fire Systems Poseidon Nozzle is budget friendly and has very little maintenance required. Poseidon is made of 6061 high strength aluminum, same material that firefighting nozzles and couplings are made of, and does not appreciably corrode.
Turtle Fire Systems, SUDZ-IT, and other EV Fire Nozzles
There are a lot of different options for EV fire nozzles on the market. These nozzles are all intended to maximize cooling of the battery and assist with management of a lithium ion battery fire. Other nozzles on the market include: the Turtle Fire Systems nozzle, SUDZ-IT, Transformer EV Nozzle System from Task Force Tips, and the EV Fire Suppressor Mister. These are all robust nozzles with different pros and cons.
Conclusion
While many nozzles can put water on the EV battery to start the cooling process, many cannot deliver enough GPMs to fight the BTUs being produced. Most EV nozzles tend to be one dimensional for use on EV fires only.
Poseidon excels in targeted suppression of EV battery fires, confined-space thermal events, undercarriage washing, pressurized tank cooling and mass decontamination devices. Overall, Poseidon is the clear choice when looking for an EV nozzle that is budget friendly, easy to store, easy to use and has multiple purposes.
