Renault Group has made the Fireman Access patents freely accessible to the entire automotive industry. Car manufacturers and parts suppliers can now obtain a free license for this innovation via the open collaborative platform at www.renault.fr/universalpatent. In return, under this collaborative approach, licensees agree to share any improvements with the broader 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 an electric vehicle fire as quickly as a combustion vehicle fire. Technically, an adhesive disc is placed over an opening in the traction battery casing, sealing it during normal use. In the event of a fire spreading to the battery, the high-pressure jet from a fire hose dislodges the disc, flooding the battery cells with water—the fastest and most effective method to stop thermal runaway. This innovation reduces battery fire extinguishing time from several hours to just minutes, using ten times less water. As a result, Fireman Access helps firefighters restore operational readiness more efficiently. Protected by seven patents, the system is now standard on all electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles sold globally by Renault, Dacia, Alpine, and Mobilize.
This initiative is the first practical expression of the commitment made by Renault Group to work alongside United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, in raising awareness of road safety around the world and deploying technological innovations to save lives on the roads.
As part of this partnership, Renault Group participated in the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Marrakech, highlighting its long-standing commitment to road safety. On a national level, the event strengthens Renault Group Morocco’s collaboration with local authorities, combining the company’s automotive expertise with the country’s road safety efforts. It also provides an opportunity to showcase the Renault Group Foundation’s initiatives aimed at raising road safety awareness in schools across Morocco.
