Automotive and Marine Industry
Exploring fire risks, from car production and hydrogen vehicle refueling to ships, ferries and boats.
Exploring fire risks, from car production and hydrogen vehicle refueling to ships, ferries and boats.
In the automotive and marine industry, that are many situations in which the fire risk is great. For example, in car production, where many combustible gases are present. Engine test benches can reach extremely high temperatures. When it comes to hydrogen vehicles, there is a risk of ignition during parking and refueling. Installing an appropriate flame detection system can prevent fires and the resulting damage. Ships, ferries and boats also present risks - fires on board marine vessels cause damage and loss of lives every year.
In the area of hydrogen vehicles, there is a risk of hydrogen ignition in fuel storage, fuel supply lines, and fuel cells. To maintain a minimized risk of hydrogen ignition, an effective flame detection solution should be installed.
Although rupture of a fuel cell membrane would result in combination of oxygen and hydrogen, this would usually be detected by the control system, as the fuel cell would lose potential. The fuel cell also has a low operating temperature, so does not present a significant thermal ignition risk. However, the combination of hydrogen and oxygen on the catalyst surface is a possible source of ignition.
Hydrogen fires present specific risks, as they are almost invisible to the naked eye during daylight hours. In addition, they have low radiant heat, so the fire may not be detected until a person is actually close to or inside the fire itself. Without a detection system in place, a hydrogen fire could go entirely undetected.
Many processes in the manufacturing of automobiles involve the presence of combustible gases that create a fire risk. Fire or explosions may damage equipment or the facility as a whole and can be a threat to the lives of personnel. Employing a fire detection solution will ensure the safety of both the factory and its workers.
When the automated fuel pump fills the automobile’s gas tank at the end of the production process, fuel may spill and accumulate, creating a fire risk. In addition, electrostatic spray booths are also a source of combustible gases. The paint source, which is an electrically charged powder, creates a risk of fire or explosion.
Flames must be detected as early as possible to prevent a fully-fledged fire.
Engine test benches can reach extremely high temperatures of up to 800°C during safety checks. This presents an unusually high fire risk which can be mitigates by using a fire detection and suppression solution, preventing harm to personnel and damage to the facility.
When testing engines using engine test benches, high temperatures create the main fire risk. With expensive equipment, and many workers onsite, preventing fire should be priority for a facility.
Fire detection and suppression solutions must be able to detect flames at the earliest stages, before a fire spreads and causes damage to expensive equipment or endangers the lives of employees. The equipment must be able to function at high temperatures.
Fires on board ships, ferries, and boats cause damage and loss of lives every year. Every type of boat is vulnerable, from fishing boats to warships. Whatever the vessel, ensure both flame detection and suppression systems are in place to keep people and the vessel itself away from harm.
Fire can come from a number of different sources:
Flame detection systems must be installed to detect fires at the earliest stages, before damaging the vessel and risking the lives of passengers. Suppression systems must be able to work in a variety of environmental conditions.
As a leader in Flame and Gas detection we are dedicated to protecting personnel, property and the environment.
