Passenger compartment of buses to have fire alarm and protection system

Long-distance travelling from buses will become safer as the government has made it mandatory for the installation of fire alarm and protection system in the passenger compartment.

“The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, vide notification dated 27th January 2022, has introduced the Fire Alarm System and Fire Protection System in the Passenger (or, Occupant) Compartment in buses through an amendment in the AIS (Automotive Industry Standard)-135 for Type III buses [‘Type III’ Vehicles are those designed and constructed for long-distance passenger transport, for seated passengers ] and School Buses, “a press release issued from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, said.

It added, “At present, fire detection, alarm and suppression systems are notified for fires originating from the engine compartment, as per AIS-135. Studies on fire incidents indicate that injuries to passengers are mainly due to heat and smoke in the passenger compartment. These injuries can be prevented if the heat and smoke in the passenger compartment is controlled by providing an additional evacuation time to occupants by thermal management during fire incidents.”

The government has made these amendments after talking to the stakeholders and safety experts such as the Centre for Fire Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES), a DRDO establishment. Experts from the areas of fire risk assessment, fire suppression technologies, modelling and simulation have provided their input based on which the government has amended the regulations.

“A water mist-based active fire protection system and a standalone fire alarm system for buses has been designed to manage the temperature in the passenger compartment within 50 degrees centigrade,” the Ministry said.