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.
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
- 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.
- Linear heat cable, spot sensors or pneumatic bulbs fixed around turbochargers, fuel lines and electrics.
- Control Unit
- Microprocessor or pneumatic control with delayed discharge option for operator escape.
- IP67 enclosures resist vibration, dust and wash-downs.
- Microprocessor or pneumatic control with delayed discharge option for operator escape.
- Agent Cylinders
- Pre-engineered sizes ranging from 4 kg to 25 kg.
- Charged with dry-chemical, wet-chemical, water-mist or dual-agent.
- Pre-engineered sizes ranging from 4 kg to 25 kg.
- Distribution Network
- Stainless steel hardline paired with flexible high-temp hose.
- Strategically spaced nozzles deliver agent onto turbo, starter and alternator zones.
- Stainless steel hardline paired with flexible high-temp hose.
- Alarm & Manual Actuation
- Cabin-mounted LED/aural alarm.
- Push-button or pull-cable actuation at cabin exit and ground-level.
- Cabin-mounted LED/aural alarm.
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.
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.