Vehicle Fire Safety & the Automobile Firewall
Making vehicle fire safety a priority is a necessity, and one way to address that issue is to bring back the automobile firewall. Outside of residence fires, the largest number of deaths by fire in the United States occur in vehicles. One fifth (approximately 300,000) of the 1.6 million fires reported every year in this country are vehicle fires. While less than ten percent of automobile fires are caused by collisions, those that are caused by collisions are the most deadly – approximately 75% of vehicle fire fatalities involve a collision. This amounts to roughly 3,000 injuries and 500 deaths. Contributing factors in many of these casualties are occupant incapacitation, blocked exit, and fast fire progression within the vehicle.
GM Safety Testing
Due to a rise in lawsuits related to a vehicle fire, General Motors took part in safety testing. The tests revealed that flames entered the interior of the vehicle within 10 to 20 minutes following front end collisions that resulted in an engine compartment fire. The testing also revealed that the fire spread rapidly after entering the passenger area, which resulted in the death of the vehicle occupants in one to three minutes.
In light of the alarming data revealed by the General Motors resting, It is shocking to learn that today there are no federal safety standards relating to vehicle firewall performance. Even more disturbing is the fact that some of the products used to seal gaps within the firewall actually serve as flame accelerants in the presence of fire.
At one point in automaking history, firewalls were heralded. The first vehicle firewall was invented by Henry Ford. The firewall was created in order to protect the driver and passengers in the event of an engine fire. Mr. Ford’s invention also served to protect the driver from fumes, gases, and smoke in the course of operating the vehicle, making the experience more pleasant and marketable.
Bring Back Henry Ford’s Original Intent of the Firewall
The original firewall was very simple. It also worked. It consisted of a strong metal plate that separated the occupants from the compartment containing the engine. Soon, the “automobile firewall” was an everyday term. The invention was adopted by other automobile manufacturers, as well by makers of buses and trucks.
Over time, the firewall’s significance and purpose shifted. In the current automaking era, the part is no longer called a firewall and instead is known as the generic term “dash panel”. Tellingly, auto manufacturers no longer claim its intent is to prevent or slow passenger compartment fire.
The Importance of a Firewall
The purpose of the firewall needs to be resurrected and its efficiency improved upon. In the event of a collision that involves occupant incapacitation or blocked the exit, drivers should be protected by standards of fireworthiness that promote conditions in which those occupants can survive until first responders arrive. The average time for first responders to arrive on the scene is 10 to 15 minutes. After EMS arrival, 5 to 10 minutes is required for extrication of the occupants Following a rear, side or front impact, 15-20 minutes without passenger compartment fire intrusion is a realistic expectation in order to increase the likelihood of occupant survival. Manufacturers can go a long way toward this goal by making the firewalls, conduits, and openings more fireproof and using materials that are fire-resistant around gaps.
The dangerous condition of engine fire traveling quickly into the driver/passenger compartment should be addressed immediately by the automobile industry, and a simple and effective way to start is to bring back the automobile firewall.
Watch YouTube Video: Getting FULL Access to Firewall. The following video shows how to get full access to your vehicle’s firewall.
Natomas Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Natomas Personal Injury lawyer. If you or a family member have questions following an automobile accident, let our office help you. Call us at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also reach me online.
I’ve helped Natomas residents with car accident cases and other types of personal injuries matters.
I am a proud member of the Million Dollar Advocates and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
Learn about my practice by visiting the pages listed below:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/car-accident-fire-street-accident-2789841/
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