Forestry Equipment Fire Protection
Fire Protection For Timber Harvesting Equipment
The number one preventable cause of timber harvesting equipment losses is fire.
AFEX systems have been protecting timber harvesting equipment for over 40 years. Today’s industry has better equipment, better trained operators, improved resource management and more sophisticated business management. Technological advances have created machines of greater size and strength and have improved operator comfort and ease of operation.
However, these bigger and stronger machines have greater fire risks. The large volumes of hydraulic fluids operating under high pressures create potential fire hazards when hoses leak or rupture. Engine compartments designed to prevent the accumulation of “trash” inhibit access for routine cleaning and restrict fire extinguishing with hand held portable extinguishers and water tanks. Additionally, operator location and comforts make early detection of equipment fires difficult. Engine compartments located in the rear of the machine, such as on feller bunchers, hide fire from sight.
Equipment losses are not only losses in capital, but also losses in production. In response to their losses, insurers raise rates, increasing the overhead burden for loggers.