Here is one for the rescuers in India. The 2013 Chevrolet Sail Body Structure has a high strength steel body structure and dual airbags.
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Extrication Knowledge at Home Depot? Yup! It’s free too! Take a look at the GMC truck below, it’s a propane model that looks to have many miles on it. I was writing a quick note after I snapped these pictures to leave under the wiper and the guy jumped in and drove off. But here’s a great look at propane tanks mounted in the frame.
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The last thing I was expecting to see in the parking lot only a row over was a Opel Vauxhall Ampera electric vehicle which is the brother to the Chevy Volt in Europe. Notice it’s a right hand drive? Check out a previous post on the Opel Vauxhal Ampera.
You get dispatched to a cable company van that is upside down on the highway. Did you ever think it could be a CNG vehicle? While At&t has deployed over 5000 Alternative-fuel vehicles deployed including 3,469 CNG vehicles and 1,617 hybrid electric vehicles, as part of a $565 million commitment to deploy approximately 15,000 alternative-fuel vehicles (AFVs) over a 10-year period through 2018. So what do you know about CNG vehicles?
Here’s a list of guides that are availble:
- CNG Instructor’s Guide from Todd Hoffman from Scene of The Accident
- Honda Emergency Response Guide CNG Civic GX
- Alberta Vehicle Extrication Association (AVEA) Links
- Cal Fire State Fire Marshal Presention
- Emergency approach procedures for five of the most common types of alternative-fueled vehicles (AFV)
2012 Chevrolet Express Cargo Van (1200 vehicles)
The delivery of 1,200 Chevrolet Express compressed natural gas (CNG) dedicated cargo vans will be deployed to AT&T service centers nationwide. So chances are, you may have one roaming the roads near you!
So how are all those trucks going to get fuel? In Michigan, DTE Energy Company unveiled a public fueling station on 44th Street SW for vehicles operating on compressed natural gas (CNG). DTE has 20 natural gas stations in Michigan and sells the compressed natural gas to other companies like AT&T for use in its fleets of trucks. Keep an eye out and know what’s in your response area!
First off, if you haven’t liked the Boron Extrication page on Facebook, please do that now to make sure stay up to date with all the extrication information that is shared by global extrication technicians. Second, since Ron Moore has created the University of Extrication Facebook page it should be a no brainier to like that page as well. Otherwise, you would miss out on a sneak peek from a University of Extrication article in Firehouse magazine below!
The University of Extrication article in the March issue of Firehouse Magazine looks at changes in the structural design of new vehicles.. I had a chance to photograph a brand new Cadillac body structure while in Michigan recently. Pictures of that vehicle were used in the article. What we need to make sure that rescue personnel are aware of is how the bottom of A-pillars and B-pillars are going to get "fatter." Look at this close-up view of the driver's side A-pillar, 2012 Cadillac ATS. If you were "rolling" or "jacking" this dash, because of this design, you will have to cut almost all four sides of the base of the pillar before it will move.
A little bit off the subject of extrication but I joined many fire departments around the Detroit area to climb 70 stories for the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air. In the Detroit, the Renaissance Center is the world headquarters for General Motors and is the tallest building in Michigan. The central tower, which we climbed, is the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center and is the tallest all-hotel skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere.
The Fire Critic and Iron Fireman have posted about memorial stairs climbs and how much fun they are. While this was not a memorial climb, it was still for a great cause. First off, I really under estimated how steep the stairs were and how out of shape I am. Quickly into the climb the time went out the window and finishing was my goal. My department’s 5 man team quickly lost 2 firefighter from the fast climbing pace of the other 3. Myself one of the slow 2! However, we ended up climbing with two firefighters from Brighton, Michigan and the photographer behind Doubledeuce Fireimages. Doubledeuce Fireimages shoots many fire ground scenes in Dearborn and Detroit. After a little more time than most, I made it to the 70th floor! Check out the view below!
The European Chevrolet Aveo is sold in North America as the Chevrolet Sonic. Sixty percent of the 2012 Chevrolet Aveo Body Structure is made from high-strength steel (HSS colored in yellow). This includes the engine cradle. Ultra-high Strength Steel (UHSS colored in red) is strategically integrated in the forward portion of the rockers and the center cross bar. The engine cradle distributes energy in frontal and side impacts. It is another structural element that helps optimize occupant safety. Together with the front bumper system and the engine compartment rails, the engine cradle bars absorb the brunt of a frontal crash.
Reinforced A and B-pillar help maintain the integrity of the passenger compartment. Should the vehicle roll over in the event of an accident, its roof will be able to withstand forces that equal more than four times the car’s weight. The Chevrolet Aveo also has a releasable pedal assembly.
As reported by the Detroit News, GM to introduce industry’s first front-center air bag. I heard rumbles about GM being the first to market with the front seat center airbag, but I wanted to wait until it was released officially before I made a post about. So what does this mean to us? (and I used “us” because of Ray McCormack’s Facebook status, “Only you can prevent first responder“. I’m guilty of using “first responder” because extrication is not only a fire service discipline) Anyway, back to the airbags. The airbag deploys from the right side of the driver’s seat and positions itself between the front seats near the center of the vehicle. An interesting statistic in the article are far-side fatalities. These fatalities are from the occupant on the nonstruck side of the vehicle which represent 29 percent of all the belted front occupant fatalities in side impacts. These front seat center mounted airbags could help save more lives. Look for these airbags to be introduced in the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse in the 2013 model year. Stay tuned for more information!!
NFPA, Chevrolet, and OnStar have launched Electric Vehicle Safety Training for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, an extended-range electric vehicle that hit the roads last fall. The training features an inside look at the vehicle’s technology and safety systems. More training resources for the Chevrolet Volt.
So you roll up on a MVA that involves a GMC Acadia and your officer assigns securing the 12 volt power-source. Is your gut reaction to go straight to hood? With this vehicle is better not be. Also forget looking in the rear storage area too. The battery is located in the floor pan behind the front passenger seat. There is one small screw to deal with on the battery cover underneath the 2nd row cross car floor mat, a T20 Trox screwdriver/bit. Since you are securing the power you should just be able to pry the plastic cover up. Check it out below.
Also keep in mind that the GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook share the GM Lambda platform. The Saturn Outlook is not made anymore, but those vehicles can still be on the road.
The two images below are from the Crash Recovery System made by Moditech Rescue Solutions. The Crash Recovery System is a computer program that provides real-time on scene vehicle information. This program can save you time during your extrication by knowing the locations of Ultra-High Strength Steels, Airbag and lift assist cylinders and much more. For more information, visit their website: http://www.moditech.com
The 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt has a rigid Body Structure. The Cobalt’s rigid lower-dominant body structure was engineered as a single unit for mass efficiency and stiffness. The underbody is made of high-strength steel with welded members in strategic locations for maximum strength, structural integrity, mass optimization and crashworthiness.
First off, my hat off the fine folks at GM, OnStar, and The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for setting up and implementing a nationwide training program of First Responders on the new technologies in the Chevrolet Volt. This week is the final stop on a nationwide tour where more than 1,600 fire and emergency service leaders have been trained. Fitting the last stop is where it all started, Detroit! The training was held in the OnStar garage at General Motors headquarters in downtown Detroit. Chevrolet and OnStar, in a joint effort with the NFPA expect 400 Detroit-area first responders to be trained in learning how to deal with emergency situations involving electric vehicles in Detroit, Michigan this week.
© Copyright General Motors
The NFPA’s Electric Vehicle Safety Training project is a nationwide program to help firefighters and other first responders prepare for the growing number of electric vehicles on the road in the United States. The NFPA project, funded by a $4.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, provides first responders with information they need to most effectively deal with potential emergency situations involving electric vehicles.
The NFPA is behind the Electric Vehicle Safety Training project Blog and check out the post about GM passes the torch to NFPA on EV Training.
© Copyright General Motors
Detroit Fire Chief Gregory Williams © Copyright General Motors
The 2011 Cadillac SRX Body Structure has a wide range of different Ultra-High Strength Steel (UHSS) to consider during an extrication. Just remember that so many different factors come into play when cutting UHSS so never think that you are outgunned! Have a Plan A, Plan B, etc!
The B-Pillar (item 10) is a combined mixture of different UHSS. The outer B-Pillar is martensitic and the inner reinforcements are Dual Phase Steel and other UHSS. The Side Door Impact Beams (item 13) and Rocker Panel (item 14) are made with UHSS.
Cadillac Service B-Pillar
The collision repair guide on the 2010-2011 Cadillac SRX states that the B-Pillar can only be replaced as a one piece, no sectioning! The service B-Pillar will come as a complete assembly and the center B-Pillar Reinforcement is constructed of ultra high strength steel (martensitic). Ultra High Strength Steel normally has a tensile strength greater than 700 MPa.
Here’s a little interesting note I ran across from GM, when GM calls out UHSS this classification includes common steel names of Martensitic Steel (MS), Press hardened Steel (PHS), and Boron Steel.
Inner Reinforcements of the B-Pillar
The Inner reinforcements of the B-Pillar are seen in the image to the right with the rocker panel and outer B-Pillar removed. Remember the reinforcements are UHSS Dual Phase. General Motors states that Ultra High Strength Dual Phase Steel (Dual Phase Steel with a tensile strength greater than 800 MPa), also known as DPX cannot be repaired.
The 2011 Buick Lucerne is a carryover vehicle from the original launch of the model in 2006. The Buick Lucerne has not been covered on the site yet. Take a quick look at the inserts in the A and B pillars, just note that the inserts do not run the full lengths of the pillars. The Structure/safety cage of this vehicle received a “Good” rating from the IIHS and a “Great” rating in the NHTSA Frontal Crash Test. Just remember, this is a big body car!
There are a total of six airbags in the Buick Lucerne. The airbags use an sensors that monitor the weight of the front occupants and the position of the seat to determine the best inflation size of the airbag. Front seat side airbags and overhead airbag curtains are also in the vehicle so remember to pull the trim covers and verify the inflator locations before you cut.
2006-2010 Cadillac DTS Body Structure really does not have too much crazy steel. It’s a Cadillac, built the old fashion way, BIG! However, there are some different types of reinforcements so much you check the body structure out.
- Tie Bar Replacement – Mild Steel
- Wheelhouse Replacement – Mild Steel
- Rail Replacement Front Compartment – Mild Steel
- Rail Sectioning Front Compartment – High Strength Low Alloy Steel
- Hinge Pillar Body Replacement – Mild Steel
- Hinge Pillar Body Reinforcement Replacement – Mild Steel
- Hinge Pillar Body Sectioning – Mild Steel
- Roof Panel Replacement – Mild Steel
- Windshield Frame Header Panel Replacement – Mild Steel
- Rear Window Frame Header Panel Replacement – Mild Steel
- Rocker Panel Replacement – High Strength Low Alloy Steel
- Pillar Lock Front Door Sectioning – Mild Steel
- Pillar Lock Front Door Replacement – Mild Steel
- Rear Compartment Floor Panel Replacement – Mild Steel
- Quarter Panel Replacement – Mild Steel
- Quarter Panel Replacement – Mild Steel
- Rail Replacement Rear Side Underbody – High Strength Low Alloy Steel
- Rail Sectioning Rear Side Underbody – High Strength Low Alloy Steel
- Body Rear End Panel Replacement – Mild Steel
- Rail Replacement – High Strength Low Alloy
- Panel Replacement – Door Outer – Mild Steel
Just a quick note: High Strength Low Alloy Steel, also known as HSLA. This type of steel normally has a tensile strength range from 300-700 MPa.
General Motors has already conducted more than 50 crash tests of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. Chevrolet expects Volt to achieve high safety ratings in government tests. With the Volt’s body structure made up of nearly 80 percent high-strength steel I would say that is not an unreal expectation! I am working hard to get as much information that is available for the Volt posted. However, with GM getting Ron Moore involved and incorporating his feedback and other fire service personnel into training materials that will be posted on a targeted Web site there should be little to no work on my end!
The Detroit News has an article today about GM’s plan to offer training to first responders. I spoke with Ron Moore last month from Firehouse.com’s University of Extrication and he told me that he recently visited the GM proving grounds to cut up a new Chevrolet Volt. Aside from all the battery and electric concerns. He said that this vehicle has some really strong Dual Phase steel to consider also.
GM is offering training on the new Chevrolet Volt for first responders. If you are having trouble watching the video, click here.
During the past several months, Chevrolet has collaborated with first-responder representatives from national safety organizations to develop educational materials for firefighters, law enforcement, emergency medical technicians and emergency dispatchers nationwide. This will help ensure the training meets the needs and answers the questions their colleagues are likely to have about electric vehicles.
Their feedback is being incorporated into training materials that will be available on the tour and posted on a targeted Web site for departments unable to attend the training sessions.
The training will include animation and illustrations of the Chevrolet Volt, highlighting locations of high-strength steel, cut points for extrication, first-responder labeling, automatic and manual electrical shut-off and more.
Notice the last sentence in the quotes? There are going to be cut points for extrication and first-responder labeling! A true step in the right direction to help us get our patients out quickless.
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The GM Goodwrench site has finally updated with some new vehicle body structure information. Take a look at the image of the picture below to find where UHSS is used on this vehicle platform.
No surprise that the body side is reinforced with Ultra High Strength and Dual Phase Steel. The Front Floor Panel Reinforcement (10) and Body Side Inner Rocker Panel (11) are made from UHSS. The Body Side Inner Reinforcement (8) and Front Lower Rail (12) are made from Dual Phase steel.
The 2006 + Chevrolet HHR has a little bit of Ultra-high Strength Steel (UHSS) in the the rocker panels. n the image below, number 26 calls out the Rocker Inner Panel and is made from UHSS.
The Cadillac SRX model years 2003 through 2008 has a little Ultra-high Strength Steel. The
Rocker Inner Panel (#4) is made using UHSS.
Rocker Inner Panel (#4) is made using UHSS.
Even as a Ford guy, I really would hate to see a new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro come under the blades of a cutter! However, we all need to know what to except just in case a 16 year old “borrows” dad’s Camaro for a quick trip and crashes into a tree or rolls one over. As for Ultra-high Strength Steel, the 2010 Camaro is fairly limited. The Rocker Inner Panel (#6 in the image) is the only location that GM calls out UHSS. The Center Pillar Reinforcement (#5) is a High Strength Low Alloy Steel.
Images below are from TopSpeed.com
General Motors is using UHSS in many different areas of the vehicle. Below is an image of the Body Structure of a Chevrolet Malibu. This use of UHSS is called out on the list below:
- 10. Center Pillar Reinforcement (Ultra High Strength Dual Phase Steel)
- 11. Rocker Inner Panel (Ultra High Strength Dual Phase Steel)
- 12. Door Inner Reinforcement Beam (Ultra High Strength Steel)
Click on 2008 Chevrolet Malibu B-Pillar for detailed information.
No Boron in the current models of the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, and Buick
Enclave crossover vehicles. However, other Ultra-high Strength Steels are used.
The only area that Firefighters need to look out for on this vehicle platform are the rocker panels. The rocker panels are made out of Ultra-high Strength Steel.
