New standard for fire suppression systems in engine compartments of buses and coaches

Introduction:

On the Arrive Alive website we have a page titled “Road Safety and the Suppression of Bus Fires”. This was developed with the assistance of the SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden and shares insights as to the research into and development of systems to suppress fires in engine compartments of buses and coaches. It is a privilege to be able to share an update on this process to improve the safety on buses:

Publication of the new Standard for Fire Suppression Systems in Engine Compartments of Buses and Coaches

SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden has developed a new standard for fire suppression systems in engine compartments of buses and coaches. This work has been carried out in part on behalf of the National Road Authority in Sweden. The objective has been to construct a model of an engine compartment where stakeholders can evaluate the firefighting performance of different suppression systems in a well-defined and objective way. The new standard SP method 4912, edition 3 has just been published.

A Reference Group has provided valuable input and know-how to the standards development. International representatives from suppression manufacturers, insurance companies, bus associations, transit authorities and bus manufacturers have contributed.

The main objective of the research leading up to the standard development has been the promulgation of this standard at the UN ECE Working Group on General Safety Provisions (GRSG) in Geneva (http://www.unece.org/trans/main/welcwp29.html). Should the standard be accepted in this forum it will be required to have fire suppression systems installed in buses and coaches. In parallel SP has established a voluntary certification/quality mark for the industry – the P-mark – according to SPCR 183 (SP Certification Rules) due to the fact that progress through the GRSG can be protracted. A P-mark certifies that the product meets the requirements of relevant standards, regulations etc., and that the manufacturer or importer operates an approved inspection and quality control scheme.

To obtain a P-mark in accordance with SPCR 183, the fire suppression system will need to fulfill the requirements in SP method 4912 in which the capacity of the system to extinguish different types of fires is evaluated. In addition testing of all components as part of the system is also required. This means that detectors, electrical/electronic components and control panels will be performance tested for harsh environments, EMC, temperature and humidity extremes etc.

Transit Authorities can now start citing P-marked systems in accordance with SPCR 183 in their technical requirements for procurement of fire suppression systems.

More information can be found at: www.sp.se/safebus

SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden is a wholly Government owned institute under the Ministry of Industry. SP is the national institute for technical evaluation, research, testing, certification, metrology and calibration, and is working closely with large and small companies, universities, institutes of technology and other organizations. SP has approximately1200 employees and an annual turnover of approximately 1200 million SEK. SP Fire Technology conducts research, testing and certification of products related to fire safety.

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