Fire Protection for Armoured Vehicles
The extinguishers are equipped with high-speed valves to immediately flood affected compartments with efficient and approved extinguishing agents safeguarding crews and vehicles automatically. Optical sensors are located throughout the protected zone so that the entire space is monitored. Fire extinguishers are in supportive locations with distribution nozzles to ensure sufficient agent concentrations reach all parts of the protected space. An Agent Concentration Test (ACT) is typically conducted to validate concentration design. The control electronics panel is located within easy reach of the driver and/or commander.
The fire suppression systems is capable of suppressing the fire in less than 250 milliseconds. The system protects human life and precious properties against destructions which could be caused by armour piercing ammunition or hydrocarbon fuel in the vehicle.
Salient Features of the System
Inputs for up to 12 optical fire sensors and four linear thermal detectors
Outputs for up to eight fire extinguishers
Automatic and manual Double Shot discharge for each protected zone (Crew & Engine)
Integrated manual discharge switches for each protected zone
Inputs for external manual discharge inputs
Continuous supervision of system components and maintenance mode override
Qualified to vibration, shock and humidity requirements of MIL- STD-810 for combat vehicle conditions
Qualified to various MIL-STD-461F, MIL- STD-1275A, MIL-STD- 1275D, MIL-STD- 1275E and ATPD- 2404A & IP-67 Water & Dust ingress protection
- Main Controller Unit
The Main Controller Unit combines fire suppression system control and interface functions into a single unit. It serves the dual purpose of control electronics and control panels, thus reducing the component count and weight while simplifying the design of electrical wiring harnesses.
When a sensor detects a fire, the unit will activate the appropriate extinguisher within milliseconds. Alternately, a controller can perform this activation. The unit also provides fire warning outputs to inform the operator where a fire has occurred and an indication of extinguisher discharge status.
- Fire Extinguishing Cylinders
Fitech fire extinguishing cylinders are high-pressure seamless cylinders that are specifically designed for various armoured vehicle Fire Suppression Systems. Each extinguishing cylinder is fitted with a quick- release cylinder valve having a large cross- section which ensures a very high rate of discharge via the piping and nozzles to extinguish any fire in both the engine and crew compartment.
The extinguisher contains Halons or environmentally friendly Halon Alternatives such as HFC227ea & HFC236fa which are instantaneously discharged and have no adverse effect on human beings when designed below certain levels of design concentrations.
- Detection Sensor
The fire & explosion sensors respond to explosive fires within milliseconds having excellent false alarm immunity. The sensors use a dual spectrum infrared detection logic and can detect energy levels present in a fire or explosion. Since non-fire situations seldom emit these energy signatures, our fire/explosion sensors are highly immune to false alarms and can be installed in the military, tactical & combat vehicles.
The optical UV/IR detector has a very infrared sensor that is designed to detect fuel explosions and fires in enclosed spaces of armoured personnel carriers such as the crew, engine and other compartments. While the Triple IR (IR3) Optical Detector contains a third infrared detector that provides fire signature information to the logic system, located in the control electronics.