FAQ
How is the Industry Addressing the Tier 4 Engine (regeneration cycle)
All State Fire is recommending a dual agent system designed to provide fast knock down of the fire and cool the surface area to prevent re-flash. Temperatures can get well above (900 to 1200 degrees) the flash point of the flammable fluids present in the engine area. It is generally believed that 50% to 2/3 of heavy vehicle fires are caused by hydraulics or other flammable fluids hitting hot surfaces.
We Hit the Red Button and Nothing Happened
This could be a number of things, many of which a proper pre-shift inspection could identify. Certain components of your system are integral to its operation. If missing or damaged the system will not operate. Another cause is that your operator did not apply enough pressure to the red strike button on the manual actuator. The brass burst disc in the cartridge is just under the thickness of a dime. The pin in the actuator needs to penetrate this disc for it to release the nitrogen to operate the system. It is important that you call your service company immediately to investigate when this happens to gain clarity and possibly prevent a future occurrence.
I need to work on my vehicle. What should I do to the system?
If you have a cartridge operated type fire suppression system (Ansul or AFEX – call if you need more info) you need to unscrew the cartridge from the cab actuator then disconnect the electrical from the panel. Because the system will not operate without the cab or ground level cartridge it is important you remove them first before you disconnect the panel. This is a good practice. The systems have a little different way they operate but if we teach our mechanics to do it this way then this covers all possible issues. When your mechanic is done with the repairs he or she needs to reconnect the system. First reconnect the electrical on the cab panel and look for any trouble lights. If you have a green light on the panel then reinstall the cartridge. This will prevent an accidental discharge of the system and/or damage to the panel.
I have an Amerex system. Is the disconnection procedure the same?
No. The procedure is very different. He or she needs to remove the actuation wire from the bottle and hook it to the tester while working on the machine. Once they are done with the repairs they need to look at the panel for a green light. If all is good then they can reconnect the actuation wire.
How Often Should I Inspect My System
Two answers -
Your operators should be doing a pre-shift inspection daily to ensure the componets they can identify are still in place. The reality is that your service company is only on site 2 to 4 times a year. If you operate your equipment 52 weeks a year for 5 days each your equipment will run for 260 days. There is a lot that can happen in that time. During the normal course of business you power wash the equipment, mechanics move the system components to work in the engine area, or just the fact you operate in a very tough environment. Implementing a pre-shift inspection policy and enforcing is a solid course of action to reduce exposure and repair cost.
Your service company should be on site at least twice per year to do a full inspection of all the parts and components of the system. Most times we recommend quarterly inspections. The inspection procedure is out lined in the manufactures manual and available for your review. Depending on the conditions and how many technicians we have on site a typical inspection could last anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. I remind you that anything could have happened in between our last visit so we disassemble the system to make sure every component works properly.
What is the difference between the cartridge operated and stored pressure extinguishers?
Cartridge operated extinguishers are as rough and tough as your industry is. Used and maintained properly there is not a better solution. The problem is simply it requires a commitment from the owner. You must provide quality maintenance and proper training for your employees. This is expensive and is not the usual course of action. In the environments we work in stored pressure extinguishers have a relativity short live span. Many do not make it to the routine testing cycles. If your company is going to choose a stored pressure unit the quality is a factor. Features such as brass valves and high performance valve designs are not an option. Amerex makes a quality line that we fully support.
We recommend you train your staff at least annually regarding the use of the unit and how to do a pre-shift inspection. Your fire extinguisher is your first line of defense in a fire situation. Educating your staff will help you comply with a verity of regulations.