FIRE PROTECTION WHERE EQUIPMENT OPERATES AROUND PEOPLE AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Transportation equipment often works in busy environments where operators, passengers, vehicles, aircraft, cargo, terminals, and other critical assets are nearby. Airport ground support equipment, rail maintenance vehicles, baggage tractors, de-icing vehicles, terminal support equipment, and other specialty fleets also operate around fuel, electrical systems, hydraulics, and high-temperature engine components that can contribute to fire risk.
When a fire starts on transportation equipment, the first priority is protecting operators, passengers, and nearby personnel. But the impact can quickly extend beyond the machine itself. A vehicle fire near an aircraft, terminal, rail line, fueling area, cargo operation, or other equipment can disrupt a much larger part of the operation.
AFEX fire suppression systems are purpose-built for heavy-duty mobile equipment and designed around the vehicle, operating environment, and fire hazards present.
When Equipment Fire Risk Extends Beyond the Vehicle
Transportation equipment frequently operates in high-traffic areas where even a single vehicle fire can affect nearby people, equipment, and infrastructure.
Common fire risks include:
- Fuel, oil, and hydraulic fluid leaks
- Hot engine, exhaust, and aftertreatment components
- Electrical faults and battery failures
- Long operating cycles and frequent stop-and-start operation
- Combustible debris or materials near hot components
- Equipment operating near aircraft, cargo, terminals, fueling areas, or other vehicles
- Harsh environments involving vibration, weather exposure, dust, and debris
Early fire response can be especially important in these environments because a fire may not remain isolated to the equipment where it starts.
A properly designed onboard fire suppression system provides a response directly at the machine, helping suppress a developing fire while giving operators and nearby personnel time to move away from danger and follow site response procedures.
Certified Fire Protection for Mobile Equipment
Transportation operators need fire protection they can rely on in demanding mobile environments.
AFEX systems are independently tested and certified to recognized heavy-duty mobile equipment standards, including FM 5970 HDME and ActivFire certification to AS 5062.
Third-party testing helps validate system performance for mobile equipment exposed to vibration, temperature extremes, harsh operating conditions, and other environmental demands.
FIRE PROTECTION FOR EQUIPMENT WHERE SPACE IS LIMITED
Transportation vehicles and support equipment often have limited space available for additional components.
The AFEX Compact Liquid Agent System provides a space-conscious fire suppression option for equipment where installation space is limited while maintaining the durability required for demanding mobile applications.
- Compact Design: Designed for installation where available space is limited.
- Flexible Activation: Available with manual or automatic activation depending on the application.
- Independent Operation: System operation does not depend solely on vehicle power.
- Built for Mobile Equipment: Designed to withstand the vibration and demanding conditions associated with heavy-duty vehicles.
Compact fire suppression can be particularly well suited for airport ground support equipment, specialty fleet vehicles, and other transportation applications where packaging space is at a premium.
Keeping High-Activity Transportation Operations Moving
Transportation operations depend on equipment being available when and where it is needed. A baggage tractor that cannot move luggage, a de-icing vehicle taken out of service during winter operations, or rail maintenance equipment sidelined by fire can create consequences far beyond the damaged machine.
Equipment downtime can:
- Interrupt passenger or cargo movement
- Delay aircraft, rail, or terminal operations
- Put additional demand on backup equipment
- Affect tightly coordinated operating schedules
- Create repair or replacement costs
- Disrupt work around critical infrastructure
- Increase the impact of a fire if nearby equipment or assets become involved
Onboard fire suppression helps provide an early response at the equipment, supporting personnel safety while helping limit damage and reduce the broader operational disruption caused by a vehicle fire.
FIRE PROTECTION SHOULD MATCH THE VEHICLE AND OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
Transportation equipment is not one-size-fits-all.
A baggage tractor operating beneath an aircraft presents different hazards than a de-icing vehicle, rail maintenance machine, terminal tractor, or specialty fleet vehicle.
A Fire Risk Assessment considers factors such as:
- Equipment configuration
- Fuel and hydraulic systems
- Electrical components
- Heat and ignition sources
- Operator and passenger locations
- Nearby equipment and infrastructure
- Equipment duty cycle
- Operating environment
This information helps determine the appropriate suppression system, detection method, system size, and component placement for the application.
