Australia sets the standard for fire protection of mobile and transportable equipment

When Australian Standard AS 5062, Fire protection for mobile and transportable equipment, was published in 2006, it raised the bar for fire protection systems used to protect heavy machinery such as that used in the mining industry. The result is four years of development originating from the needs of the mining industry, and with input from a range of stake holders, AS 5062 provides the basis for a nationally consistent and sound approach to the design, installation and operation of fire protection systems used on mobile equipment in Australia.

Whilst developed specifically with the mining industry in mind, AS 5062 is applicable to mobile plant and vehicles used in a wide range of industries, including forestry, construction, rail or agricultural industries, where the equipment operates in harsh environments or is subject to severe shock and vibration. 

To ensure fire systems are fit for purpose for use in these harsh operating environments, AS 5062 incorporates rigorous testing criteria for fire system components.  In addition, as fires on large mining (and other) vehicles can spread rapidly and result in the loss of high value capital equipment, cause severe business interruption and potentially endanger life there is a need to ensure that  fire systems are capable of suppressing the extremely challenging fires which can occur in these applications.  To ensure fire systems can deliver a minimum level of fire fighting performance AS 5062 also includes fire testing protocols for foam water spray systems to prove fire system performance.

In addition to proving fire systems are fit for purpose, another prime objective of AS 5062 was to formalise good practice and provide a consistent approach to the fire risk reduction techniques used to safeguard life, property and the environment from fire on mobile equipment. To this end, AS 5062 includes requirements covering the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of fire protection systems by competent personnel.

Chubb Fire Safety is committed to meeting the highest industry standards and was actively involved in the development of AS 5062.  Chubb was the first manufacturer to have its fire suppression system independently assessed for compliance to the requirements of AS 5062.   Chubb’s PEFS (Pre-Engineered Foam Spray) system was assessed by CSIRO and is listed on CSIRO’s ActivFire Register of Fire Protection Equipment.

Chubb’s PEFS system achieves impressive fire suppression capabilities through the combination of foam discharged in the form of a finely atomized spray. Strategically positioned nozzles direct the high velocity foam spray and provide three dimensional fire fighting properties, allowing the system to suppress pressure fires that may occur as a result of a ruptured fuel or hydraulic line. The fine droplets of foam absorb large amounts of heat before turning to steam, which further enhances the three dimensional fire fighting properties of the system. Once discharged, the foam is effective in suppressing spill or pool fires which may result from the collection or leakage of fuel. The resulting foam blanket provides post fire securement.

PEFS systems can be configured for manual and automatic actuation, and supports multiple detection options to suite specific applications. Detection options include Loss of Pressure (LOP) or Rise of Pressure (ROP) pneumatic detection and Linear Heat Detection (LHD) cable.  PEFS systems can be controlled electronically using Chubb’s VS (Vehicle Suppression) control system which was specifically developed to comply with the requirements of AS 5062. 

The VS control system provides system status and fault supervision and can be configured to control suppression system activation, provide auxiliary alarm outputs and equipment shutdown functions. The VS control system incorporates battery back-up in case of loss of primary power and all detection and actuation circuitry is supervised for faults. Variable time delays are provided to allow system discharge and equipment shutdown periods to be independently set.

ENDS

For more images/information contact:
Daniel Marks
Chubb Australasia (A UTC Fire & Security Company)
(02) 9930-4433 or 0401-779-055
daniel.marks@chubb.com.au 

UTC Fire & Security provides fire safety and security solutions to more than 1 million customers worldwide. Headquartered in Connecticut, U.S., UTC Fire & Security is a business unit of United Technologies Corp., which provides high technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries worldwide. More information can be found on their Web sites at www.utcfireandsecurity.com and www.utc.com.

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