First P-mark certificate for fire suppression systems in engine compartments of buses and coaches now published

In spite of many reported bus fire incidents, no international standards for evaluating performance of fire suppression systems in bus engine compartments have previously existed. In cooperation with international stakeholders, SP 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 – according to SPCR 183 (SP Certification Rules).

Several companies are at present running tests at SP in order to obtain the P-mark and recently the first issued P-mark certificate in accordance with SPCR 183 was published at: http://www.sp.se/safebus/certified where future issued certificates also will be published.

A fire suppression system tested in accordance with 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 exclude substandard systems from the market.

More information can be found at: www.sp.se/safebus

Contact:

Fredrik Rosen
Marketing Manager at the Department of Fire Technology – SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden
fredrik.rosen@sp.se
Tel. +46 105 16 56 86

[SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden is a wholly Government owned institute under the Ministry of Industry. SP is the national institute for technical evaluation, research, testing, certification, metrology and calibration, and is working closely with large and small companies, universities, institutes of technology and other organizations. SP has approximately1200 employees and an annual turnover of approximately 1200 million SEK. SP Fire Technology conducts research, testing and certification of products related to fire safety.]

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Road Safety and the Suppression of Bus Fire