Mobile Fire Suppression Systems for Mining & Heavy Equipment

In the mining sector, a single engine-bay fire can immobilise multi-million-dollar machinery, jeopardise worker safety and grind production to a halt. Diesel lines, hydraulic fluid, electrical shorts and scorching turbo temperatures combine to create a perfect storm.

 

Purpose-built mobile fire suppression systems, designed specifically for heavy, mobile plant, provide the front-line defence your operation can’t afford to ignore.

Why Mobile & Mining Equipment Fires Are High-Risk

  • Extreme duty cycles: Haul trucks, excavators and loaders clock thousands of hours in abrasive, high-heat environments. 
  • Combustibles everywhere: Hydraulic hoses run close to hot engine components; fine dust can act as tinder. 
  • Remote sites: Even the best in-pit response teams can take several minutes to arrive, long enough for an unprotected fire to total a machine. 
  • High repair costs: Replacing wiring looms, tyres and hydraulic packs following a fire can exceed A$150 000 per unit, not to mention the lost production. 

These factors make mining fire suppression systems a critical investment rather than a nice-to-have.

mobile fire suppression for mining

Australian Standards & Compliance Essentials

Meeting regulation isn’t just a box-ticking exercise; it underpins insurance coverage and site-safety obligations.

Standard / Guideline What it Covers Why it Matters
AS 5062:2022 Fire Suppression Systems for Mobile & Transportable Equipment
System design, agent type, installation and inspection intervals
Mandatory on most Australian mine sites
Mines Safety & Inspection Regulations (WA)
Employer duties, reporting and maintenance records
Non-compliance risks improvement notices or shutdowns
OEM & client specifications
Model-specific mounting and detection layouts
Ensures warranty remains valid

A compliant mobile equipment fire suppression system incorporates both automatic and manual actuation, audible/visual alarms and clear inspection tagging.

Key Components of a Mobile Plant Fire Suppression System

  1. Detection Network

    • Linear heat cable, spot sensors or pneumatic bulbs fixed around turbochargers, fuel lines and electrics.
    • Dual circuits minimise false trips and add redundancy.

  2. Control Unit

    • Microprocessor or pneumatic control with delayed discharge option for operator escape.
    • IP67 enclosures resist vibration, dust and wash-downs.

  3. Agent Cylinders

    • Pre-engineered sizes ranging from 4 kg to 25 kg.
    • Charged with dry-chemical, wet-chemical, water-mist or dual-agent.

  4. Distribution Network

    • Stainless steel hardline paired with flexible high-temp hose.
    • Strategically spaced nozzles deliver agent onto turbo, starter and alternator zones.

  5. Alarm & Manual Actuation

    • Cabin-mounted LED/aural alarm.
    • Push-button or pull-cable actuation at cabin exit and ground-level.

 

By integrating these elements, mobile plant fire suppression systems detect fires early and flood the hazard zone within seconds, long before handheld extinguishers are within reach.

Choosing the Right Suppression Agent

Agent Best For Pros Cons
Dry-chemical (ABC)
General mining machinery
Rapid knock-down, economical
Fine powder clean-up
Wet-chemical (potassium acetate)
Kitchen / fuel fires
Saponifies fuel, minimises re-flash
Not ideal for electrical panels
Water-mist
Sensitive electronics, lithium-ion packs
No residue, rapid cooling
Requires clean water refill
Dual-agent (dry + water-mist)
Large haul trucks, hydraulic shovels
Combines cooling & smothering
Higher weight, dual cylinders

Your selection hinges on fuel type, compartment volume and site-specific standards – Quantum’s design team tailors every mobile fire suppression package accordingly.

mobile fire suppression for heavy equipment

Maintenance & Inspection Best Practice

A system is only as reliable as its service schedule. Recommended regime:

 

  • Daily (operator) – Visual walk-around, gauge pressure check, nozzle unobstructed.

  • Monthly (site maintenance) – Verify control-panel LEDs, clean filters, test alarms.

  • Six-monthly (certified technician) – Full functional test, cylinder weigh-in, hose integrity, tag update.

  • Five-year overhaul – Hydrostatic test, complete agent replacement, O-ring renewal.

Proactive servicing not only satisfies AS 5062 but also extends component life and maintains insurance validity.

A Small Investment, A Massive Safeguard

Modern mining fire suppression solutions combine precision detection with lightning-fast agent delivery, shielding lives and equipment from catastrophic loss. Whether you operate a dozen loaders or an entire fleet of 400-tonne haul trucks, fit-for-purpose mobile fire suppression systems are the smartest insurance policy you’ll ever buy.

 

Quantum Fire Technology designs, installs and services compliant systems for mines across Australia, backed by 24-hour support and fully accredited technicians.

 

Ready to fire-proof your fleet? Contact Quantum today on 08 6244 3380 or visit our Contact page to arrange a site assessment.