Renault Group says it is making its Fireman Access system available to the global automotive industry as part of a free licencing policy. Described as an exclusive safety system for electric vehicles, Fireman Access was developed ‘as part of a unique partnership with the fire services’.

According to Renault, the patented innovation allows fire and rescue services to extinguish a battery fire in an electric vehicle in just a few minutes, compared with several hours without this equipment.

Car manufacturers and parts suppliers can now obtain a free licence for this innovation through the open collaborative platform at www.renault/universalpatent.com. In return, as part of this collaborative principle, licensees agree that any upgrades will be made available to other members of the community.

“Innovating to improve road safety is part of who we are at Renault. We're particularly proud of the partnership developed with the fire services in recent years. Fireman Access is a practical demonstration of what can be achieved by combining our expertise as a manufacturer with the skills of the men and women who keep us safe every day. Today, I'm delighted to be making this innovation freely available, because when it comes to a subject like safety, we need to break down all the barriers. This move is also in keeping with the commitment made alongside the United Nations, to make mobility safer, all over the world," said Luca de Meo, CEO Renault Group.

Renault says Fireman Access allows emergency services to put out a fire on an electric vehicle in roughly the same time as on a combustion vehicle. From a technical standpoint, an adhesive disc is placed over an opening in the casing of the vehicle's traction battery, effectively sealing it for normal use. If the vehicle catches fire and the flames spread to the battery, the powerful jet from the fire hose dislodges the disc and drenches the cells in water – the only fast and effective way of stopping thermal runaway, Renault says. In this way, a battery fire can be extinguished in just a few minutes, compared with several hours and ten times as much water without this feature, it is claimed.

Seven patents have been filed for this system, which is now fitted on all the electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles sold by Renault, Dacia, Alpine and Mobilize worldwide.

Renault says the initiative is the first practical expression of the commitment made by Renault Group to work alongside United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, in ‘raising awareness of road safety around the world and deploying technological innovations to save lives on the roads’.