El impacto de supresión de incendios en los Equipos Off-Road Autónomos y Teledirigidos

El advenimiento de los equipos no tripulados en las industrias pesadas ha llegado, y, por lo tanto, los fabricantes de sistemas de supresión de incendios deben abordar cómo esto afecta el tipo de cobertura que reciben estas unidades. Ya sea que una máquina se use en minería, madera, reciclaje o algún otro nicho, este nuevo (y creciente) paradigma requiere un enfoque modificado cuando se trata de protección contra incendios.

Debido a que el factor humano se está eliminando en gran medida de la ecuación de supresión de incendios como resultado de este proceso de conversión, las oportunidades para que un operador en la cabina identifique un incendio y accione manualmente un sistema de supresión de incendios en el propio vehículo prácticamente no existen.

Remotely-Actuated Fire Suppression Systems

At the moment not every fire suppression system is remote actuation ready, which is one of the main aspects of protection that will have to change. In keeping with a long-standing position at the technological forefront of its industry, AFEX Fire Suppression Systems incorporated the necessary advancements to its Unidad de control over two years ago. As a result, remote actuation of an AFEX fire suppression system is as simple as pushing a button. Another benefit of the Control Unit’s advanced nature is its ability to tie-in with existing telematics, allowing for enhanced fire suppression system monitoring.

Of course this new reality also puts more of a premium on the use of automatic systems that self-actuate once sensors have determined a spike in temperature indicative of a fire. These types of systems have the advantage of being “on guard” at all times, monitoring those areas of the machine that are difficult to see, like the inside of an engine compartment. This fact would be equally helpful whether the scale of the operation is a fleet of autonomous haul trucks or a single, remote-controlled grinder.

Ultimately, the transition to unmanned vehicles will bring about a new look to the average fire suppression system. Remote actuation will need to become a default, allowing a remote machine supervisor to react to a fire immediately upon identification, while at the same time automatic systems will become necessary to account for the lack of an onboard operator. Identifying and understanding these basic truths has allowed AFEX Fire Suppression Systems to prepare for the job of protecting the next generation of heavy equipment.