Safer Rides to School: How Stat-X^® Protects Students from Fire Risks

Introduction

Every day, school buses transport society’s most precious cargo—their children. And in the vast majority of cases, those trips are made without incident. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), “school buses are the safest vehicles on the road, and one of the safest modes of transportation overall.”

However, school bus transportation is not completely without risk, with collisions being chief among them. But fire is another very real hazard which regularly strikes school buses. With the aging of many bus fleets and the entrance of lithium-ion-battery-powered electric school buses (ESBs), the life safety risk of a fire occurring on a bus filled with children cannot be ignored.

The Fire Risk

According to a study commissioned by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) which investigated bus incidents in the ten-year period of 2004-2013, the U.S. averaged just over one school bus fire per day (~379) each year. These events caused an average of roughly one fatality and just under six injuries per year. The total amount of property damage was in the tens of millions.

When examining the causes of these fires, almost 70% originated in the engine, running gear, or wheels. Approximately 80% were due to mechanical or electrical failure which led to ignition of flammable liquids, often in the engine compartment.

In addition to bus fires involving internal-combustion-engine vehicles, ESBs are also experiencing issues with fire. Recently, three fires in ESBs in Canada prompted an investigation by Transport Canada and a notice requiring the immediate inspection of Quebec’s 1200-bus electric fleet.

Currently, there is no U.S. federal requirement for school buses to be equipped with any form of automatic fire suppression systems. Informal surveys have revealed that less than 10% of school buses are equipped with fire suppression systems, and those are often only for special-needs buses.

The current lack of fire suppression on school buses is despite a 2019 NTSB recommendation for such systems following an investigation of a school bus fire which killed the driver and a student. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration rejected the recommendation, citing added costs to bus purchases.

The Stat-X Solution

When considering that children’s lives are at stake in the very vehicles which are supposed to protect them, no injury or fatality due to fire caused by failure of a bus’s components is acceptable. This is especially the case considering that cost-effective solutions have been readily available for decades.

Stat-X condensed aerosol units have a long history of use in the protection against engine-compartment fires on buses, trucks, and heavy equipment. The compact units feature super-sturdy construction designed to withstand the harsh environment of engine compartments.

In the event of fire, Stat-X units are thermally activated, filling the engine compartment with a proprietary, potassium-based, ultrafine aerosol which interrupts the combustion process, causing rapid extinguishment. Stat-X is rated to extinguish Class A (ordinary combustibles), Class B (flammable liquids), and Class C (electrical) fires, ensuring its effectiveness on virtually everything in the engine compartment which can burn.

For ESBs, Stat-X is equally effective. Stat-X is tested and proven to reliably extinguish lithium-ion battery fires. This is an extremely valuable feature, given how quickly such fires can advance into conflagrations which are notoriously difficult to combat via traditional firefighting means. Further, Stat-X can act even when the bus is not running, which is important since incidents can occur when buses are parked, charging, or in the depot.

With a 15-year service life and requiring almost zero maintenance, Stat-X units provide a great value for the investment. They are ideal for retrofitting to existing buses and easy to remove and reinstall in another bus should the need arise. Their installation does not interfere with any onboard systems or equipment, takes up very little space, and does not require any power connections.

In addition to its effectiveness, Stat-X is safe. It possesses zero environmental or public-health risks, will not damage sensitive equipment, and is EPA SNAP listed for use in occupied spaces. And unlike dry chemical systems, it requires minimal cleanup after discharge.

Legislative Action

Congress is recognizing the need for safer school bus transportation. On October 22, 2024, Congressman Steve Cohen reintroduced the School Bus Safety Act (H.R. 1828), requiring three-point seat belts, engine fire suppression systems, and firewalls between engine and passenger areas, along with stricter flammability standards, automatic emergency braking, and operator training. The Act directs DOT to issue rules and fund grants, echoing longstanding NTSB recommendations.

Final Thoughts

Ensuring that school buses are equipped with effective fire suppression is no longer optional—it is essential. With Stat-X, districts can safeguard both diesel and electric fleets, comply with emerging legislation, and provide children with the safe, resilient transportation system they deserve.