In spite of many reported bus fire incidents, no international standards for evaluating performance of fire suppression systems in bus engine compartments have previously existed.
In co-operation with international stakeholders, SP has therefore developed a new fire test standard, SP method 4912. SP has also established a voluntary certification and quality mark – the P-mark – according to SPCR 183 (SP Certification Rules).
Several firms are running tests at SP in order to obtain the P-mark and recently the first issued P-mark certificate in accordance with SPCR 183 was published at https://www.sp.se/safebus , a page where future issued certificates will also be published.
A fire suppression system tested in accordance with SP method 4912 has shown its functionality against realistic bus engine fires. A P-marked system, tested in accordance to SPCR 183, further demonstrates a high degree of robustness as it is also tested for resistance to harsh environments in internationally accepted vehicle standards, in addition to the SP method 4912 fire tests. Quality assurance and control over time is maintained through an independent, approved auditor which reviews factory production control.
