Month: February 2024

When electric vehicles catch fire, the aftermath can pose a significant risk for firefighters and towing services. After it appears the fire is extinguished, lithium-ion batteries can reignite. When safely removing a vehicle, it is important to first cool the batteries. But how?

Recognizing this risk and the need for a solution, our colleagues at Vetter in Zulpich, Germany, developed the Vetter E-Vehicle Isolation System (EIS).

“EIS is gaining a lot of interest. How to contain and transport extinguished electric vehicles is heavily discussed by the towing industry and fire brigades right now,”

Vetter Marketing Product Manager Simona Schweiger said.

Here’s how it works…

Packing Up the Vehicle

After extinguishing the fire, the electric vehicle is raised with lift pads, supporting materials or a crane, and the EIS is positioned under the vehicle. The electric vehicle is lowered and the lifting straps, which will be required for lifting it later, are fitted.

Various lashing straps are now used to attach the EIS to the vehicle. The straps ensure that the tarpaulin is fitted securely and is adjusted to the contours of the vehicle. This reduces the water consumption to a minimum.

Flooding & Cooling the Battery

The water supply is then connected to the upper hose connection and the water level gauge to the lower connection. Then the EIS is flooded until the vehicle’s battery unit is under water. The water level gauge provides information about the water level in the EIS. After the car has been filled sufficiently, the water supply is turned off.

Transporting & Storing the Vehicle

After reaching the storage site, the electric vehicle, wrapped up in the EIS system, can be stored in the open air or in a hall with an appropriate ventilation system. The EIS filled with water should be stored for at least 72 hours to prevent the lithium-ion batteries from self-igniting. With the help of the intelligent water level gauge, it is possible to check the current water level at any time and top up the water if necessary.

Storing & Reusing the EIS

The EIS can be used multiple times. After it has been checked and cleaned, it can simply be folded up and stowed away in the emergency vehicle. When the fire brigade or towing services are once more called out to a fire, the E-Vehicle Isolation System is ready for use again.

Interested in understanding more about how pumps work? Our IDEX colleague Chad Wunderlich is your guy.

An engineer who manages distributor development at Viking Pump, Chad has been part of teaching in-person “Pump School” sessions and producing educational videos for years from their headquarters in Iowa (USA).

In Viking’s older videos, you’d typically only see Chad’s hands. That changed a couple of years ago, when Digital Media Manager Joe Barloon suggested positioning Chad on camera as a presenter. And so, the “Pump Report” was born on YouTube.

While some inquiries from the videos have led directly to sales, the approach is more about brand building. Chad explains to viewers in simple terms how different kinds of pumps work, including Rotary Lobe, Vane, Circumferential Piston Pump, Internal Gear and External Gear pumps. And he explains concepts, like how to calculate flow rate.

“You never know what’s going to be a hit,” Chad said.

Some of their most popular videos include:

• “Flow vs Pressure”
• “What Causes Pumps to Cavitate? And why is my pump so loud?”
• “Internal Gear Pumps and How They Work”

“It’s been a soft sell approach to have our name out there,” Joe said. “It’s more about showing that we’re a knowledge leader in pump technologies.”

Joe Barloon, Digital Media Manager

The videos have also helped new employees learn about the company during the application and on-boarding process. Even students will watch and reference their videos when researching science projects, with the Viking Pump videos appearing first in many common pump related video searches.

“People will watch a three-minute video more than they’ll read a three-page script,” Chad said.

With pumps of myriad sizes and specifications central to so many IDEX products, consider learning a little about these concepts, regardless of your role. You can check out the entire playlist of Viking Pump videos on YouTube.

You might not equate emergency response with comedy. But a series of Instagram and LinkedIn videos featuring IDEX Fire & Safety (F&S) products has tens of thousands of followers busting out laughing.  

F&S recently established a partnership with veteran-owned coffee shop Fire Department Coffee, a longtime champion of first responders, firefighters and veterans.  

The Illinois-based coffee shop showcases IDEX F&S products in fun, comedic skits on their large social media channels. Their videos feature products such as the SAM Smart Nozzle and HURST Jaws of Life Cutters.