VELEX Vehicle Fire Suppression System

The VELEX VFS is a piston operated system, that uses a solid propelling agent container connected to another cylindrical container filled with a static premixed extinguishing liquid agent. Upon activation, the required pressure, uniquely provided by the FirePro technology, forces the rod-less piston to discharge the bio-degradable fire suppression agent through the carefully positioned nozzles within the protected engine enclosure.

About 400 buses per year encounter a fire related incident. Two-thirds of these start in the engine area and have the potential to not only damage the bus but importantly to also endanger passengers. FirePro’s VELEX Vehicle Fire Suppression system is approved in accordance with UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regulation No. 107. The process includes rigorous testing under very harsh conditions.

VELEX VFS consists of durable, high quality hardware and materials. The beapoke Fire Protection Controller provides detection and automatic fire extinguishing within the engine bay with the use of an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved linear heat detector cable that requires zero maintenance. The system is also capable of warning in real time the driver and other monitoring equipment of fire emergencies The complete VFS system is designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle.

FirePro’s reliable, efficient and effective vehicle fire-suppression systems are designed to endure the harshest of environments and conditions that may be encountered in the normal course of a vehicle’s lifetime. VELEX is designed to minimise fire damage and reduce operational downtime without being compromised by high heat, cold, vibrations or dust. It is specifically designed to counteract hazards within the engine bay caused by leaking fuel, hydraulic fluid, lubrication oil and built-up flammable deposits.

VELEX VFS is designed and tested for A and B classes of fire and is certified to operate at temperatures as low as -30 °C. The liquid extinguishing agent used is environmentally friendly and biodegradable. It is glycol free and chemically stable with an optimized concentration for advanced corrosion protection. Furthermore the pressure creating propellant agent is a solid compound developed with eco-friendly, naturally occurring materials. It has a certified lifetime of 15 years and Zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP).

Various costs are considered when choosing a system. Although the costs of the hardware and installation are the most obvious ones the cost of a system in the long term is more important. A low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is critical therefore factors such as maintenance costs and the lifespan of the system vis a vis the lifetime of the vehicle should be made. Human safety, the environment and insurance premiums are also key factors in the selection method. VELEX offers peace of mind for the long term.

VELEX’s extinguishing liquid agent in conjunction with the condensed aerosol propellant agent formulate a hybrid action during the suppression process. The Hybrid Action ensures powerful fire extinguishing while tackling the risk of instant re-ignition. Furthermore, the liquid agent offers a temporary cover over the burning surface allowing it to continue cooling the engine. This offers an excellent flame knockdown and therefore aids risk management.