Renault Group has made its Fireman Access patents freely available to the entire automotive industry. Car manufacturers and parts suppliers can now obtain a free license for this innovation through the open collaborative platform at http://www.renault.fr/universalpatent . In exchange, licensees agree to share any future improvements with 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.
Developed through close collaboration between Renault Group and fire services, Fireman Access is an exclusive innovation that allows emergency responders to extinguish a fire on an electric vehicle in roughly the same time it takes to do so on a combustion vehicle. Technically, an adhesive disc covers an opening in the vehicle’s traction battery casing, sealing it during normal use. If the vehicle catches fire and the flames reach the battery, the force of the fire hose dislodges the disc, allowing water to quickly douse the battery cells—effectively stopping thermal runaway. This enables the fire to be put out in minutes, compared to hours and much more water without this feature. Fireman Access allows firefighters to return to operational readiness much faster. Seven patents have been filed for this system, which is now standard on all electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles sold by Renault, Dacia, Alpine, and Mobilize worldwide.
This initiative marks the first tangible step in Renault Group’s commitment to working with United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, to raise awareness about road safety and deploy technological innovations to save lives on the road.
As part of this collaboration, Renault Group is participating in the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Marrakech, running until February 20. This event highlights the company’s long-standing commitment to road safety. On a national level, Renault Group Morocco is strengthening its ties between the manufacturer’s expertise and the country’s relevant services. The subsidiary is also showcasing its Foundation’s road safety initiatives, particularly those aimed at raising awareness in schools across Morocco.
