Despite several bus fire accidents being regularly reported in the media, no international standards for evaluating performance of fire suppression systems in bus engine compartments have yet been set. In co-operation with international stakeholders, SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden has therefore developed a new fire test standard – SP method 4912. As a further extinguishment system quality assurance, SP has established a voluntary certification and quality mark – the P-mark – conforming to SPCR 183 (SP Certification Rules).
Several companies are at present running tests at SP in order to obtain the P-mark, and the first issued P-mark certificate in accordance with SPCR 183 was recently published at http://www.sp.se/safebus/certified where future issued certificates also will be published.
A fire suppression system tested in accordance with the SP method 4912 has shown its functionality against realistic bus engine fires. A P-marked system, tested in accordance to SPCR 183, further demonstrates a high degree of robustness as it is also tested for resistance to harsh environments in internationally accepted vehicle standards, in addition to the SP method 4912 fire tests. Quality assurance and control over time is maintained through an independent, approved auditor that reviews factory production control.
An innovative and important component of the P-mark process is a risk assessment requirement based on the fire test results to optimize the fire suppression system design in real bus engine compartments.
The P-mark will facilitate procurement processes for both buyers and sellers. By adopting the P-mark the industry can be assured that the systems maintain an acceptable level of quality and safety. At the same time, it will be easy to spot and eliminate sub-standard systems from the market.