DRDO develops Fire Detection and Suppression System

The DRDO has developed fire detection and suppression system for passenger buses. The technology can detect fire in buses in less than 30 seconds. Also, it can extinguish the fire in 60 Seconds.

Highlights

The technology was developed by the Delhi based Centre for fire explosive and environment safety of DRDO. The fire detection and suppression system consist of a water tank of 80 litres of capacity, network of tubing with 16 atomizers and 6.8 kilograms of Nitrogen cylinder. The nitrogen cylinder installed is pressurized to 200 bar.

The system has an aerosol generator with which the fire suppression can be achieved within 5 seconds. The system has been developed as a defence spin off Technology.

Though, there is fire threat in all vehicles, the system has been specially developed for sleeper coaches and school buses.

Road accidents in India

According to the report released by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in 2019 around 1,51,417 deaths occured in India due to road accidents. The report was released under the title “Road accidents in India, 2018”. The report says that the number of road accidents has increased by 2.4 % as compared to that of 2017.

The road crashes are the main reason for fire accidents in vehicles. The system developed by the DRDO aims to prevent such fire accidents. According to the report, 48% of the deaths caused by road accidents occurred due to road crashes.

Therefore, the system has a very significant role to play in preventing vehicle fires.

What is aerosol fire suppression?

The fire detection and suppression system developed by the DRDO works on aerosol fire suppression concept. Under the aerosol fire suppression, combination of gases matter and microparticles are used to flood the region under fire. These particles remove oxygen, e Heath and hinder the chain reaction that is causing the fire. Bottomline, the aerosol fire suppression system work by removing heat.

They are well suited to suppress class A, B and C fires.

What are the classes of Fire?

There are four classes of Fire. They are as follows

• Class A: these on fires on solid combustible such as wood, paper, cloth and plastics.
• Class B: these are fires on flammable liquids such as Ether, alcohol, oil,  grease and gasoline.
• Class C: these are fires on electrical appliances
• Class D:  these are fires on metallic substances such as potassium and sodium. These are usually fires on materials normally not found in medical centres.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2020