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Beat the heat.

Article Excerpt
Beat the heat

by Michelle EauClaire

When "Stop, Drop and Roll" isn't enough (or even an option) fire suppression systems protect the operator, the machine and the environment.

While fire itself has been around for hundreds of thousands of years, our ability to harness it still remains juvenile at best. It is for this reason that learning and developing ways to combat fire on heavy-duty off-highway equipment remains an important critical issue to solve.

Distinguishing fire from fire

Fires are typically classified based on the fuel of the fire. Class A fires involve ordinary combustibles including plastics, rubber, wood and paper, typically found in wiring insulation material and hydraulic hoses.

Flammable liquids consisting of fuel, hydraulic fluids and brake fluids constitute a Class B fire hazard.

Any fire involving electrical energy is given a Class C rating which indicates that the suppression agent to be utilized is approved for use on energized electrical equipment such as battery terminals and electric control areas of the machine, states Ted Ritter, sales manager - vehicle systems, Kidde Fire Systems, Ashland, MA.

Each industry is susceptible to different types of fires depending on its environment and the machines themselves. "Mining equipment has predominately class B hazards, but several class A hazards are also on board. In some mining applications, class A materials can also collect on various portions of the machinery. Forestry equipment has both B and A (wood fibers)," says Joe Beranek, marketing manager -- Tyco Fire Suppression and Building Products, Tyco Safety Products, Marinette, WI.

"Class A hazards...

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