Pre-studies fire dynamics for battery-powered mining vehicles

Purpose and goal:

The overall purpose of this pre-study has been to compile the state-of-art regarding fire risks with battery electric vehicles, identify knowledge gaps and define the need for further research to provide answers to the questions and uncertainties that currently exist regarding the introduction of battery electric mining machines. The goal is to thereby contribute to a continued development of the fire safety in battery electric vehicles and enable an increased use of electric vehicles for mining.

Expected results and effects:

This pre-study has contributed by mapping knowledge gaps that currently exists regarding fire safety and which may constitute an obstacle to further electrification of battery electric vehicles in the mining industry. By clarifying important issues in the field of fire safety, the pre-study enables these to be further investigated and that evidence-based methods for fire safety assessment, routines and action planning can be developed in the next step.

Approach and implementation:

This pre-study has been carried out in collaboration between RISE Research Institutes of Sweden and Mälardalen University with the support of Epiroc and the Mining Industry´s Work Environment Committee (GRAMKO) at SveMin and in dialogue with relevant rescue services. The work has been divided into work packages with three sub-areas and has mainly been carried out through literature studies and interviews.