Johnson Controls Unveils ANSUL Fire Suppression Systems for Mining Vehicles

ANSUL, a brand of Johnson Controls, has unveiled the ANSUL N-101 Clean Agent Vehicle Fire Suppression System and the ANSUL CHECKFIRE 210 Quad Infrared (QIR) Detector at Bauma. Both systems are specifically engineered for off-road and heavy-duty mining vehicles.

“Fires are one of the major risks in the mining industry, whether in the mines themselves or involving the vehicles operating within them. To mitigate these risks, we’ve developed these vehicle systems that can either be factory-installed when the vehicle is ordered or installed once the machine is delivered. In both cases, the goal is to ensure that vehicles are properly protected in mining environments.”

said  Beth Bjorlo, Global Product Management Director, Fire Suppression Products at Johnson Controls.

ANSUL N-101 Clean Agent Vehicle Fire Suppression System

The ANSUL N-101 Clean Agent Vehicle Fire Suppression System is specially designed to protect energized electrical equipment inside unoccupied electrical cabinets onboard heavy industrial vehicles. Using a naturally occurring zero-global warming potential (0 GWP) nitrogen agent, the ANSUL N-101 system provides a sustainable and electrically non-conductive fire suppression solution for Class C and E vehicle hazards in mining and other industries.

The system’s nitrogen cartridge is available in two sizes, 23 cubic feet (0.65 cubic meters) and 55 cubic feet (1.56 cubic meters), offering a scale-able solution to support a variety of installation and vehicle applications. The nitrogen cartridge utilizes an electric-pneumatic actuator to initiate discharge, which is connected to the CHECKFIRE detection system for automatic discharge in case of a fire.
Johnson Controls has further enhanced the performance of the system by using a hydraulic hose distribution line and 360-degree nozzle. This equipment enables the system to flood the electrical enclosure quickly and efficiently, and reduce the oxygen content within that space, even when unclosable openings are present.

Features: 

• Durable design ideal for rugged environments: simplified single-tank, single-nozzle design and heavy-gauge steel bracket construction
• Wide operating temperature range -65°F to 210°F (-54°C to 99°C)
• Electrically nonconductive agent, best for use in electronic equipment
• Sustainable, naturally occurring gas with zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP)
• No cleanup is necessary, and no residue is left by the suppression agent, meaning that it will not cause damage to the protected electrical assets
• Manual or automatic detection and actuation
• Can be added to existing ANSUL installations

“We typically work with very large machines and offer custom-designed solutions for each customer. We assess the specific vehicle, working with the end customer and vehicle manufacturers to determine the optimal placement. So, I’d say our approach is highly flexible and adaptable to a wide range of vehicle configurations.”

added Bjorlo.

Johnson Controls developed the ANSUL N-101 Clean Agent Vehicle Fire Suppression System for use with ANSUL CHECKFIRE detection and actuation systems. When using the CHECKFIRE system, the fire suppression system will be actuated automatically via the electronic controls.

ANSUL CHECKFIRE 210 Quad Infrared (QIR) Detector

The ANSUL CHECKFIRE 210 Quad Infrared (QIR) Detector is part of a larger detection and suppression system. The detector uses infrared technology to help increase the speed of fire detection and response on mobile mining equipment.

High-value, mission-critical mining vehicles often operate in harsh conditions. A minor fire incident can take these vehicles off the job and interrupt business continuity. To minimize the severity of fire damage and increase peace-of-mind on the worksite, the ANSUL quad infrared technology can detect flames within seconds, even across various operating conditions like smoke, dust, fog and varying temperatures.

The ANSUL CHECKFIRE 210 QIR Detector leverages infrared technology to detect hydrocarbon flames faster than other detection methods on the market and has filtering capabilities to reduce the possibility of false discharges. The detector features an innovative latching indication signal that quickly identifies which detectors have been activated. This information helps save critical time and effort needed for physical vehicle inspection during and after a fire event.

The CHECKFIRE 210 QIR System includes the quad infrared detector, interface modules, installation bracketing and a dedicated optical test unit. These components can be added to any CHECKFIRE 210 System. The QIR detectors have been tested to meet operational standards for the mining industry, including:

• FM 5970 and FM 3260
• ActiveFire listed – AS 5062
• Enhanced Vehicle manufacturers operational testing, vibration profiles, and pressure washing requirements
• In-field customer testing and feedback requirements

“It also includes what we call a latching indication, which identifies exactly which detector was activated, helping to locate any potential host spots, if something is overheating or burning, for example. In some cases, broken exhaust manifolds can lead to exhaust gases leaking which can contribute to fire ignition, and this feature enables maintenance teams to address this issue before it escalates into a fire. It provides valuable information and actionable data that we’ve built into the system.”

said Bjorlo.

At Bauma, Johnson Controls showcased several upgrades to its CHECKFIRE 210 system. The enhancements include a redesigned system architecture, an improved detection element featuring patented technology, and updates to the suppression agent.