Fire Protection for School Bus Transportation

Bus transportation is one of the safest modes of public transportation. However, fire protection of vehicle engine compartments is critically important as the risk of a catastrophic fire puts lives and assets at risk. Downtime and replacement costs of damaged vehicles demand that a simple, stable, and durable fire suppression solution be implemented. These fires are unpredictable and often difficult to avoid. See what happens is this video from 2020 in Minnesota.

The engine compartment is one hazard zone where fires most commonly occur. Engine bay fires happen for various reasons such as mechanical failures, wires loosen or rub against engine or chassis parts, circuit boards become overloaded, as well as oil and fluid leaks. In fact, in the U.S., between one and two school bus fires occur every day, according to a 2016 study by the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, titled “Motor Coach and School Bus Fire Safety Analysis.”

Fire protection solutions for engine compartments can be impacted by limited space for system components and the age associated with fleets of these vehicles. These buses are operating in ever-changing environments which subject them to constant vibrations, seasonal weather conditions including extreme changes in humidity and temperature, and dusty dirt-filled roads and highways. All of these combine to make Stat-X^® an ideal fire suppression solution for the bus industry.

Industry Regulations And Recommendations

Often, industry best practice is guided by comprehensive, third party research which typically leads to strong recommendations and/or government regulation. Recently the need for automatic fire suppression was highlighted in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report from the school bus fire incident in Oakland, Iowa, December 2017. This report recommends that: The US Department of Transportation (DOT), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and specific bus manufacturers require in-service school buses to be equipped with fire suppression systems that at a minimum address engine fires.

A copy of the report can be found here.

The Solution

Stat-X^® highly advanced fire suppression technology offers the most compact and economical fixed fire extinguishing solution available for engine compartments. A Stat-X unit consists of an extremely rugged, hermetically sealed, stainless steel canister containing a stable, solid compound. The canister is durable, non-pressurized, and is capable of withstanding harsh environments. In the event of a fire, Stat-X units automatically release ultra-fine particles and propellant inert gasses which quickly and effectively extinguish fires without depleting oxygen levels.

This total flooding system attacks the fire regardless of its location in the engine compartment unlike the systems with nozzles that require guessing or aiming at the possible source. Aerosol stays suspended longer than any other to prevent reigniting.

Stat-X is UL listed for Class A (surface), B, and C fires.

The Stat-X condensed aerosol technology is the fire suppression of choice for bus applications and should be considered for your school and special needs bus fleets.

Why Stat-X? Consider the following advantages:

• Compact for engine compartments where space is limited, and weight is critical
• Effective
  proven to be the most effective fire technology available
• Durable
  withstands harsh environments with dust, vibrations, and a wide climate range tested to meet MIL Standard 810 & SBF128 protocols
• Cost effective
• Easy to install
  no piping required
• Easy to maintain with its modular design
  no nozzles or fittings to replace
• Compatible with the latest detection and control systems
• U.S. EPA Snap listed for normally occupied and unoccupied spaces
• Fifteen (15) year service life
• Maintains performance in the event of rollover