The dual-mode capability of road-railer vehicles (RRVs) comes at a cost. 

These machines form the backbone of the rail maintenance industry, but powerful engines and complex hydraulic systems pose a significant fire risk. One that can cause millions of pounds in damage, length delays and disruption to thousands of passengers.

Automatic fire suppression is vital if you want to continue using RRVs to inspect infrastructure, lay track, and carry out other maintenance work, even in the event of a fire. 

In this article, you’ll learn why these machines are vulnerable and how road-railer automatic fire suppression can protect your investment and timelines.

Why are road-railer vehicles at high risk of fire?

RRVs are widely used across the UK rail sector due to their versatility. They are as suitable for laying and inspecting track as they are for transporting goods and undertaking maintenance work.

It’s this combination of constant stress, high operating temperatures and an abundance of flammable fluid that creates an ever-present fire risk. 

Particular RRV fire risks include:

• Engine bays. Like HGVs and farm equipment, an RRV’s engine bay is a common ignition point. If a flammable liquid comes into contact with an engine’s hot surface, fire can spread in seconds. 

• Hydraulic systems. A failed or damaged hose can create a highly flammable mist that sparks as soon as it contacts an RRV’s engine.
  
  
• Electrical systems. The dual-mode capabilities of RRVs require complex wiring systems that create a risk of electrical faults, short circuits, and overheating.
  
  
• Operating environments. Dirt and debris are commonplace on rail tracks, increasing the likelihood that flammable materials enter engine compartments.

The nature of rail repair work makes it almost impossible to contain fires. RRVs often operate in remote locations far from emergency services, meaning fires can spread quickly and threaten other equipment and human lives, with no way to suppress the outbreak. 

The consequences of RRV fires

The cost of a fire on a road-railer vehicle can be high and wide-ranging:

• Catastrophic asset loss. Many RRVs are heavily modified or built bespoke for specific operations, making them incredibly expensive to replace.
  

• Operator safety. Machine operators working in remote locations have limited access to emergency services, meaning a fire that isn’t suppressed in seconds can put lives at risk.
  
  
• Network disruption. The high cost and specialist nature of RRVs make them difficult to replace at short notice. Maintenance delays are virtually inevitable in the event of a fire, which can cause significant disruption to operating services.
  
  
• Regulatory and financial implications. A fire incident can trigger insurance and regulatory investigations, contract reviews and liability claims at high cost to the contractor or rail operator.

As you can see, road-railer vehicle fire suppression isn’t an optional extra. It’s as vital for the operational efficiency of rail operators as it is for the safety of on-site workers.

How road-railer vehicle fire suppression works

RRV fire suppression systems automatically detect and suppress fires within seconds, without operator intervention. In track-side environments where operators may not be in the machine’s cab, this autonomous operation is vital.

At Fireward, we design our suppression systems in line with the principles of RIS-1530 and BS 6164 for projects across the UK. Our systems are independently tested and certified to SPCR 199, SPCR 183 and AS-5062:2016 standards, protecting RRVs, MEWPs and Jet Vacs operating on the rail network.

We route pressurised pneumatic tubing through the vehicle’s highest-risk areas, including the engine bay and hydraulic systems. If a fire occurs, the nitrogen-filled tubing bursts at 180 degrees, activating the valve to release the suppressing agent through strategically placed nozzles.

Suppression is immediate, comprehensive and requires no external power source, a vital feature for operators working in remote locations.

Our road-railer suppression systems use dual agents that work in the following way: 

We offer:

• The first cylinder discharges a dry powder agent that rapidly knocks down the fire by cutting the oxygen supply.
  

• The second cylinder has a delayed release of a wet chemical agent that cools hot surfaces and prevents reignition.

Together, these two agents provide comprehensive and fast-acting protection against RRV fires. Additional features increase safety measures and further protect your assets. These include:

• A sounder beacon triggered by a pressure switch, which sounds and flashes when the system activates
  

• A manual actuator, which allows emergency release of the system and easy checking of system pressurisation 
  
  
• Battery isolation, which prevents electrical systems from supplying power in the event of a fire
  

We can retrofit all of our systems onto existing road-rail vehicles, without major modification or long periods of downtime. A compact system design means components can fit within confined spaces and narrow engine bays, making installation fast and straightforward, even on vehicles where space is at a premium. 

Protect your road-railer vehicles with Fireward

Road-railer vehicles are complex, valuable and near-irreplaceable assets. That's why partnering with an experienced, accredited suppression specialist makes all the difference.
 
Fireward is the UK’s leading provider of automatic fire suppression systems for vehicles, mobile plant and machinery. We are the trusted partner of leading brands and have extensive experience protecting a wide range of specialist vehicles. 

When you choose Fireward for rail plant fire suppression, you benefit from:

• 24/7 protection. Our systems operate constantly without power or manual intervention.
  

• Ultra-fast detection. Our pneumatic systems detect fire in seconds and direct suppression agents to the point of ignition.
  
  
• Three-year warranty. All systems come with a three-year parts and labour warranty as standard.
  
  
• Full accreditation. Our systems are certified to P-Mark SPCR183, P-Mark SPCR199 and AS-5062:2016.
  
  
• Expert installation. Our fully-trained technical team handles installations with minimal disruption to your operations and provides ongoing servicing to keep systems performing at their best.
  

To find out more about Fireward's road-railer vehicle suppression solutions, get in touch with our team today : 

T: 0800 151 0249
E: info@fireward.co.uk

OR Get a quote here