AFEX, Author at AFEX Fire Suppression Systems

February 16, 2022 by AFEX BLOG

Fire Extinguishers: Side Cartridge vs. Stored Pressure

You're in the market for a portable fire extinguisher as a means of egress for your heavy-duty mobile equipment operators. So, what's the difference between a stored pressure and side cartridge operated fire extinguisher? This article will walk through some frequently asked questions to help you make the right decision for your application.

What's the Difference?

Stored pressure extinguishers have the compressed nitrogen gas that is used as the propellant for the dry chemical agent stored in the same canister as the dry chemical.

Side cartridge operated units store the dry chemical in a non-pressurized container and the compressed nitrogen gas in a separate cartridge. Only at the time of actuation is the extinguisher under pressure and then, only briefly.

AFEX Fire Suppression Systems at MINExpo 2021

August 10, 2021 by AFEX PRESS RELEASE

AFEX to Display Fire Suppression Systems for Mobile Heavy Equipment at MINExpo 2021

Raleigh, NC, USA, August 11, 2021 – AFEX Fire Suppression Systems, specialists in designing and manufacturing fire protection systems for mobile heavy equipment, has announced they will be exhibiting at the MINExpo exhibition in Las Vegas, NV, September 13-15, 2021. MINExpo is the world’s largest mining event, covering the entire industry from exploration, mine development, open pit and underground mining, safety and more. AFEX will be exhibiting in booth #7885, with an installed dual agent system on display in Liebherr Mining Equipment’s booth #7627.

The AFEX Control Unit is the Industry-Leading Fire Detection Display

February 16, 2021 by AFEX PRESS RELEASE

AFEX Enhances Industry-Leading Control Unit for Vehicle Fire Detection

Raleigh, NC, USA, February 16, 2021 – AFEX Fire Suppression Systems, specialists in designing and manufacturing fire protection systems for mobile heavy equipment, has announced a significant upgrade to the industry-leading fire detection display, the Control Unit. With a focus on continuous improvement, AFEX leaders have listened to the feedback from distributors and end users and upgraded the Control Unit to include enhanced features to aid in system monitoring, data collection and more.

February 21, 2020 by AFEX PRESS RELEASE

AFEX Fire Suppression Systems Awarded ISO 9001:2015 Certification

Raleigh, NC, USA – AFEX Fire Suppression Systems is proud to announce that the company was awarded ISO 9001:2015 certification for our Quality Management System (QMS) by NSF International Strategic Relations on January 31, 2020.

The ISO 9000 family is the world's most best-known quality management standard. ISO 9001:2015 is built on various quality management principles, including a strong customer focus, the motivation and implication of top management, the process approach and continual improvement. Using ISO 9001:2015 helps ensure that customers get consistent, good quality products and services.

AFEX Fire Suppression Systems are Factory Mutual (FM) HDME Approved

May 14, 2018 by AFEX PRESS RELEASE

AFEX Fire Suppression Systems Approved to Factory Mutual Standard 5970 – Heavy-Duty Mobile Equipment Protection Systems

Raleigh, NC, USA – AFEX Fire Suppression Systems is proud to announce that AFEX dry chemical, liquid agent, and dual agent fire suppression systems were awarded Factory Mutual (FM) 5970 Approval on September 21, 2017.

FM Approval Standard 5970 - Heavy-Duty Mobile Equipment Protection Systems, was developed over the course of four years, and represents a collaborative effort amongst FM Approvals and industry experts. This new standard represents the industry’s most comprehensive and rigorous testing program for vehicle fire suppression systems.

The effective date of FM Approval Standard 5970 is August 2018. Even systems that were previously approved under prior FM standards must be reexamined to FM 5970. Per FM, “Products FM Approved under a previous edition shall comply with the new version by the effective date or forfeit Approval.”

AFEX Fire Suppression Systems Celebrates 50 Years in Business

May 14, 2018 by AFEX PRESS RELEASE

AFEX Celebrates 50 Years

AFEX, the leading manufacturer of fire suppression systems for mobile heavy equipment is celebrating 50 years of helping customers maximize their safety and productivity.

Bill Lease founded the company in 1968 as Lease-AFEX, Inc., primarily to serve the Southeastern timber harvesting industry, and the waste handling industry shortly thereafter.

Bonaventure Group, Inc. purchased AFEX in 1986, and expanded into other heavy industries such as mining, steel, and oil and gas as well as international markets.

Today, AFEX celebrates 50 years of systems that can be found on all seven continents, protecting all types of equipment. Although we have grown and expanded many times over, we remain focused on manufacturing only effective, reliable, purpose-built products designed to withstand the abuse of heavy industry. It's all we do.

October 24, 2017 by AFEX IN THE NEWS

AFEX Equipped Battery-Powered LHD’s Headed to Vale Coleman

Vale's Coleman mine recently received two battery-powered Artisan A4 load-haul-dumps (LHDs) equipped with AFEX fire suppression systems for a six-month trial.

The A4 is powered by a lithium battery that provides four hours of operation on a one hour charge. Vale intends to pursue battery-powered vehicles for it's underground mines across Canada when it's sure the technology will meet their needs and make economic sense. The goal is to reduce ventilation needs, and their associated costs, while also staying carbon neutral.

See here for more information on the A4 and Vale's plans.

Dual Agent Fire Suppression Systems on Mining Equipment

August 23, 2017 by AFEX BLOG

AFEX Provides Innovative Fire Protection to Industry Equipment

As featured in Construction Equipment Guide.

AFEX pioneered automatic fire suppression systems in the late 1960's in response to the fire risks associated with timber harvesting equipment in the Southeastern United States. Today, AFEX systems can be found on all seven continents protecting equipment in all heavy industries including waste handling, mining, oil and gas, and steel.

AFEX is different from other fire protection companies in that vehicle systems are the company's sole focus. As such, the systems are designed with vehicles in mind from the ground up. This specialist position enables AFEX to stay abreast of changes in the industry, and to be the first to respond to the needs of equipment owners and operators.

August 23, 2017 by AFEX BLOG

Four Things to Consider Before Buying a Vehicle Fire Suppression System

As featured in SWANA Florida's Summer 2017 edition of Talking Trash.

Fire puts operators in danger, leads to costly machine repairs or replacement, and lost productivity due to downtime. The vehicle fire suppression industry is based on these simple facts, but how do you choose the best solution for your unique needs?

The following considerations are a good starting point for anyone looking to protect heavy equipment.

AFEX Fire Suppression Systems on Frac Pump

March 1, 2017 by AFEX BLOG

Fire Suppression Systems Protect Frac Pads in Oil & Gas Industry

As featured in E&P Magazine.

Fire is the worst thing that can happen to an oil & natural gas collection site. All the time, effort, and resources dedicated to a good pad can literally go up in smoke in minutes, as was the case in Monroe County, Ohio. In this instance, there were thankfully no injuries, but there was a total loss of surface equipment (which estimates put at tens of millions), a temporary evacuation of local residents, and a fish kill in a nearby creek that is being investigated for ties to the fire. Thus far the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resource have been involved in the investigation process.

Author: AFEX

What's the Difference?