EV Charging Point Automatic Fire Suppression System
With the increasing adoption of electric buses, the risk of electrical fires in bus depots, particularly at EV charging points, has become a significant concern. Charging electrical cabinets pose a considerable fire hazard due to the high amount of electricity running through them, which can lead to overheating and electrical faults.
Elite Vehicle Supplies offers a pioneering automatic fire suppression system designed specifically for EV charging infrastructure.
Key Benefits
Rapid Fire Detection and Suppression
The system ensures immediate response to fire incidents, eliminating the need for human intervention, preventing the spread of the fire and minimising potential damage.
Cutting Power Supply to the Charger
In the event of a fire, the system automatically cuts off the power supply to the affected charger. This removes the electricity source, significantly reducing the likelihood of fire reignition.
Sounder Beacon to Alert Personnel
The system includes a sounder beacon that activates in the event of a fire, providing audible and visible alerts to personnel and allowing them to respond accordingly.
Residue-Free Extinguishing Agent
The system uses a clean agent that leaves no residue, avoiding additional clean-up, potential damage to sensitive equipment, and maintaining the operational integrity of the EV charging infrastructure.
Why Protect EV Charging Points?
The Increasing Need for Protection
As operators integrate more electric vehicles into their fleets, the quantity of electrical cabinets required per depot is on the rise. This increase is directly correlated with the growing volume of electricity that these cabinets must manage, highlighting the need for robust protection measures.
Minimising Disruption to Operations
Electrical fires can significantly disrupt the charging process, directly impacting the operator’s ability to maintain regular service routes. Ensuring uninterrupted charging capabilities is essential for the smooth operation of electric vehicle fleets.
Personnel Safety
Electrical fires can present serious risks to personnel, including the threat of burns, smoke inhalation, and evacuation challenges. By protecting EV electrical cabinets, operators can significantly reduce these risks, creating a safer working environment for their employees.
Vehicle and Property Protection
In addition to operational continuity and staff safety, protecting electrical cabinets from potential fires is crucial for safeguarding the valuable vehicles housed within the depot, as well as the depot’s property and assets.
Addressing Lithium-Ion Battery Risks
Protecting EV charging electrical cabinets and minimising the risk of electrical fires reduces the potential for lithium-ion battery fires, which can be particularly hazardous due to their intensity and the toxic smoke they produce. Lithium-Ion battery fires are prevention of electrical fires is a key priority to protect personnel and operations.
Maintaining Confidence in EV Rollout
Preventing potential fires is also vital for the significant rollout of electric vehicles, especially within the Transport for London (TfL) area. Confidence in the safety and reliability of electric vehicles is crucial for the successful adoption and expansion of these fleets.
How Does the Elite Fire Suppression System Work?
Fire Detection
The Elite Fire Suppression System is equipped with advanced linear heat detection technology. This detection tubing is strategically installed throughout the EV electrical cabinet, covering all fire hazards inside the enclosure. Filled with a pressurised gas, the tubing rapidly reacts to increases in temperature, indicating the onset of a fire.
System Deployment
When a fire occurs, the heat causes a specific section of the tubing to burst at the point closest to the flames. The drop in pressure activates the system and releases the extinguishing agent into the tubing network. The agent is then propelled out through the ruptured section of the tubing, ensuring that the suppression efforts are targeted at the heart of the fire. This direct application maximises the efficiency of the agent, often extinguishing fires in a matter of seconds and significantly reducing the risk of damage or spread.
Additional Features
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Power Supply Cut Off
To mitigate further risk and prevent the spread of the fire, a pressure switch can be interfaced to isolate individual chargers in the event of an incident without affecting others, cutting off the power supply to the affected area. -
Sounder Beacon Activation
A sounder beacon is triggered to alert nearby personnel to the fire, ensuring immediate response.
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Automatic Text Message Notifications
In addition to local alerts, the system can send automatic text message notifications to a designated person of responsibility. This ensures that even if the incident occurs outside of regular monitoring hours, a responsible party is informed promptly and can take necessary action.
3M Novec™ 1230 Suppression Agent
The Elite Fire Suppression System uses Novec™ 1230. This suppression agent offers significant benefits, especially when it comes to protecting sensitive environments like electric cabinets.
Effective Fire Suppression
Novec™ 1230 works quickly to extinguish fires by removing heat. This gaseous agent can penetrate into small spaces and enclosures, ensuring effective suppression even in hard-to-reach areas.
Non-conductive
Novec™ 1230 is a non-conductive agent, making it ideal for use in electrical environments. It can safely extinguish fires without risking damage to electrical components or posing a risk of electrical shock.
Clean Agent
In contrast with water, foam or powder extinguishing agents, Novec 1230 evaporates completely leaving no residue.
This means that operations can resume quickly after a fire incident, without theneed for extensive clean-up.
Environmentally Friendly
This extinguishing agent features zero ozone depletion potential, very low global warming potential, and a short atmospheric lifetime, making it a sustainable choice.
Would you like to chat to one of our Fire Suppression experts about your fleet?
The Elite Vehicle Supplies team has over 15 years of experience within the bus and coach industry, delivering innovative, reliable solutions and exceptional customer service.
We work with London bus operators, various independent bus and coach operators throughout the UK, and transport clients overseas. We collaborate with regulatory bodies such as Transport for London.
