Left: An engine compartment mock-up has been built at the SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden for testing fire suppression systems. The aim is to design an enclosure with “typical” bus engine compartment characteristics (enclosure size, hot surfaces, obstructions, ventilation, and openings) rather than to create a replica of a specific engine type. Below, the result of a school bus fire last fall in Iowa. All 16 students on board and the driver survived with no injuries.
where there are several different available stan- dards out there,” said Fredrik Rosén, marketing manager for SP’s Department of Fire Technology. Rosén added that bus manufacturers play a key
role in developing a single standard and that fire suppression systems should be on all school buses. “SP’s main objective with the project is to cre-
ate a safer environment for passengers and bus drivers worldwide, in particular with respect to safe escape for vulnerable passengers.” Rosén said more research is needed and point-
ed to NHTSA’s SSN as a step in the right direction. “Our objective from the start has been to de-
velop a standard for testing the extinguishing capability. When this task is completed we aim to start another research project to develop a test method for fire detection.” Fire detection and suppression is the backbone
in Nevada. “NHTSA does the investi- gative work. If they say we should do something, absolutely we will do it.”
Feds Seek Answers While the industry is
looking to
NHTSA for guidance, NHTSA is look- ing to the field for ideas that will lead to the guidance everyone is seeking. Te clues to the solutions being sought may come from as near as North Carolina or as far away as Sweden. NHTSA recently issued a “Sourc-
es Sought Notice” (SSN) for motor coaches. An SSN is the initial step in conducting research that will result in safety guidelines being issued for vehicles. According to the SSN, the purpose of any resulting research is to “develop procedures to assess technologies that prevent or delay fire penetration into the occupant compartment, in order to increase passenger evacuation time.” Evacuation drills by school districts
are a major reason why no student fa- talities have been attributed to fires. Accurate data on the frequency and causes of bus fires is lacking, however, and the SSN is considered a positive step in correcting that deficiency. A NHTSA spokesman told STN that
the agency may ultimately consider the economic and technical feasibil- ity of any fire safety countermeasures identified in its findings for imple- mentation in school buses. Companies in the United States and
Sweden that specialize in fire detection and suppression technologies say they will respond to NHTSA’s request. SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden has developed a proposal for a testing method that they say would establish a global standard for assessing flammabil- ity for motor coaches. “We believe that a single global
standard would facilitate the procure- ment of suitable suppression systems better than the present situation
of Kidde Technologies, Inc., a North Carolina-based company that develops systems that detect fires and deploy suppression agents primarily for mili- tary applications in vehicles, aircraft and buses. Joey Peoples, manager of the Commercial Vehicle Group for Kidde Technologies, said SP is no stranger. “We are working very closely with SP,” Peoples
said. “Tey’ve designed a live fire simulator that mimics the clutter in the engine compartment. Tey’ve designed a test where people can actu- ally try to put out fires. We have our own Live Fire Test Rig, so we’re actually creating fires in it in- stead of just simulating them.” Peoples said Kidde supports NHTSA’s approach
to solving the problem and is in favor of a single standard. “Kidde supports a single standard be- cause it gives the end user protection and keeps those companies that are just out to make a buck from giving the industry a black eye.”
The Next Step? Most student transporters are in favor of fire
detection and suppression systems, but will await NHTSA’s blessing before moving forward. Others say suppression systems only address one area of the bus and that fires can start in multiple lo- cations. Another argument is that suppression
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