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Bus and Coach Fire Suppression Systems
UNECE R107 approved Fire Suppression System
Ardent R107 approved Fire Suppression Systems for buses and coaches deliver reliable protection to fire hazards areas like the engine compartment in buses and coaches.
Proven to successfully protect diesel, electric, hybrid and hydrogen vehicles, Ardent’s fire suppression system offers flexible protection for all fuel sources. With electronic detection and Dry Chemical extinguishing agent, reliable automatic operation and effective protection is guaranteed.
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Reliable and effective operation
The Ardent system offers reliable detection and actuation, protecting your passengers, operators and business from fire.
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Thorough fire hazard identification
We carry out a complete fire risk assessment for each vehicle to ensure that all fire hazards are covered.
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Easy maintenance and long life
Our system offer no tank agitation and a 7-year lifespan, ensuring long-term protection with minimal disruption.
How Our Bus & Coach Fire Suppression Systems Work
The Ardent Fire Suppression System uses Linear Heat Detection cable (1) that is routed around the fire hazard areas in the engine compartment. When the cable is exposed to a fire, it sends a signal to the Control Module (2) to initiate the system discharge. This process is extremely quick, allowing the system to actuate immediately to put out the fire in a matter of seconds.
The Dry Chemical ABC extinguishing agent contained in the tank (3) travels through the distribution network (4) and is discharged through critically located nozzles (5) aimed at the identified fire hazards.
The system offers an optional output to interface with the vehicle or with the Ardent VMMS Multi-Message System (6). If the VMMS system is installed, the Temperature Rise Pre-Warn Sensors (9) alert the driver when temperatures exceeding normal operating temperatures are reached.
Find out how we can help protect your fleet from fire
enquire nowFire Detection
Ardent Fire Suppression Systems for buses & coaches use our Linear Heat Detection (LHD) cable. The electronic detection cable is easily routed around fire hazard areas in the vehicle, including battery or engine compartments, to offer reliable detection throughout risk areas.
The LHD cable is an electronic detection system that works using conductors coated in a heat sensitive polymer, which melts when exposed to the heat generated by a fire or elevated temperature condition. When the polymer melts, the conductors are exposed and intiate contact with one another, sending a short-circuit signal to the control module, activating the system. It takes a matter of seconds for the system to detect and suppress the fire.
The LHD is designed to activate system discharge at 180 °C and offers increased reliability as the system is not sucseptible to false discharges that result from damaged detection tubing or loss of system pressure. It also offers live system status monitoring, alerting the operator if damage or a fault is detected within the detection or actuation circuits.
System Activation
The Ardent Control Module acts as the brain of the system, handling fire detection, system discharge and system monitoring. The control modules constantly monitors the fire suppression system for damage, faults and fire signals and alerts the driver if connected to the Multi-Message System.
The compact module can be integrated with other systems, including the Ardent Multi-Message System, High Temperature Warning Sensors and Smoke Detectors to provide additional functionality and safety features.
Suppression Agents
The Ardent Fire Suppression System for buses & coaches uses a dry chemical suppression agent, offering reliable knock-down and excellent coverage. The agent hits the fire with high intensity and disperses easily thanks to its powder form, aiding coverage of the hazard areas. Dry chemical is proven to be 3 times more effective than wet chemical at extinguishing fires on a weight for weight bases.
Dry chemical powder is suitable for use on Class A, Class B and Class C fires, as well as electrical fires. The flexible agent is suited to all fuel types, including hydrogen, diesel, electric and hybrid vehicles.
UNECE Regulation No. 107
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) regulation No. 107 stipulates that the installation of automatic fire suppression for class III vehicles (coaches) is mandatory from July 2019, and from September 2021 for class I and II vehicles (buses of all types). The regulation aims to reduce the number of catastrophic bus fires starting in the engine bay.
Having the engine in the rear of a bus means that the driver is unlikely to notice the fire before the smoke can be seen from outside the vehicle. The regulation specifies automatic fire suppression as this doesn’t rely on the bus driver detecting the fire. The time saved means that the safety of passengers and driver is improved, and the vehicle suffers less damage significantly reducing downtime and repair costs
The Ardent R107 Approved System
The Ardent R107 approved Fire Suppression System meets all UNECE R107 requirements for automatic engine bay fire suppression. The system has passed the strict fire testing protocols from the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE) which have been adopted from the SP Method 4912 tests.
In line with the regulation, a complete fire risk assessment is completed for each specific vehicle, with the aim to identify all fire hazards that need to be protected by the fire suppression system. The risk assessment dictates key system design parameters such us number of nozzles and quantity of dry powder required to protect the identified fire hazards.