Fires on Large Off-Road Vehicles: The Problem and Solution 750561

A semi-automatic fire protection system has been developed to reduce operator hazards, the cost of repair, and lost production time as a result of fires on large mobile machines. Research of military and industrial fire protection systems for mobile equipment has resulted in a hybrid prototype system that combines optical and thermal fire sensors, logic controls, self-monitoring circuits and an extinguishing system to meet rigorous demands imposed by off-road equipment. The amount and type of fire protection needed for a variety of equipment is explained and a decision analysis matrix provides guidelines and rating scales of fire protection necessary for large haulage trucks and other off-road equipment.