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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: January 21, 2011  Amends - GO 9.1.4 (June 25, 2010) Number: 9.1.4 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: October Reviewing Authority: SSD / Fleet Management Subject: Jump -Starting a Vehicle This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines, verify proper training for all personnel, protect the Sheriff's Office and personnel from liability for actions taken and provide for the safe and efficient procedure of jump -starting a vehicle. 2. Policy It is the policy of the agency to provide assistance to disabled motorists. Deputies should stop and render assistance, unless responding to a call, or transporting a prisoner. 3. Procedures A. In Preparation for a Jump -Start 1. Flames, sparks, or lit cigarettes can cause the gases around the battery to explode, causing injury and damage. Keep these things away from the battery. 2. For protection w hen charging a battery the face and eyes should be shielded but breathing passages must not be restricted. 3. Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns skin, eyes, and clothing. If the acid touches skin, eyes, or clothing, immediately flush the area wit h water and seek medical attention. 4. Agency vehicles are equipped with a 12 volt battery. Do not attempt to jump - start vehicles with less or greater voltage. Otherwise damage may be caused to the starting motor, ignition system, and other electrical p arts. 5. Do not disconnect the battery of the vehicle that needs a jump -start or damage to the vehicle's electrical system may occur. 6. Park your vehicle close to the hood of the second vehicle, but make sure the vehicles do not touch each other. Set t he parking brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the engine cooling fan. 9.1.4, Page 2 of 3 7. Check the battery terminals and remove any excessive corrosion before attaching the jumper cables. 8. Check batteries to confirm vent cap holes are not obstructed, and cover c ell caps with a small rag. Do not cover the terminals or get the rag near them. 9. Turn off all radios and lights in both vehicles to prevent possible damage to either vehicle's electrical system. Both vehicles must be off before connecting the jumper c ables. 10. A hold harmless/release agreement must be signed by the owner or driver of the vehicle needing a jump -start. All drivers of agency owned vehicles are exempt. The hold harmless/release agreement will be forwarded to Risk Management. B. Connecting the Jumper Cables 1. Connect one end of the red jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery. Most jumper cables have a red cable and a black cable. The red cable is generally used for the positive terminals and the black for the negative ones. 2. Connect the other end of that cable to the positive (+) terminal of the (Good) booster battery. 3. Connect one end of the second cable (black) to the negative ( -) terminal of the booster battery (not the dead battery). 4. Connect the other end of the ( -) black cable to a good metallic surface on the engine or frame of the vehicle that needs a jump -start. WARNING: Do not connect the end of the second cable to the negative ( -) terminal of the battery to be jumped. A spark may result and cause an explosion of the gases that normally surround the ba ttery, and could result in serious injury. C. Jump -Starting a Vehicle 1. Confirm that the jumper cables are not in the way of moving engine parts, then start the vehicle with the good battery. Run the engine at a moderate speed. 2. Let the dead battery charge for a few minutes and then start the vehicle that has the dead battery. It may take more than one attempt before the other vehicle starts. Start attempts should not be for longer than ten seconds. Wait twenty seconds before starting again. If t he vehicle does not start on the third try, there may be another problem. If the vehicle does start, let it run for approximately three minutes before removing the cables. 3. When both vehicles are running, let them idle for a few minutes to charge the dead battery and to help the engine "re -learn" its idle conditions. 9.1.4, Page 3 of 3 D. Removing the Jumper Cables 1. Remove the negative ( -) end of the jumper cable from the metallic surface on the engine or frame of the vehicle that needed a jump -start. 2. Remove the ot her end of the negative ( -) cable from the booster battery. 3. Remove the positive (+) cable from the booster battery. 4. Remove the other end of the positive (+) cable from the vehicle that needed a jump -start. Agency vehicles jump started should be ru n at idle for about three minutes to permit the engine "re -learn" its idle conditions. The vehicle should then be driven for a while with all electrical accessories turned off so the battery will recharge. Agency vehicles with battery problems will be ta ken to Fleet Management to have the battery checked. CONNECT / REMOVAL QUICK GUIDE CONNECTING CABLES REMOVING CABLES Step 1 Red - Positive