Fogmaker International AB explains how UN Regulation No 181 will strengthen automatic fire suppression requirements for vehicles transporting dangerous goods.
ADR vehicles transport dangerous goods by road. This is subject to extensive regulations, but when it comes to fire protection, the responsibility has largely rested on the driver and hand-held fire extinguishers.
This presents a challenge – a fire in a vehicle that carries something flammable or explosive can escalate quickly and create a disaster. If the heat reaches a tank containing dangerous goods, pressure can rise rapidly and in the worst-case scenario, result in a violent tank rupture accompanied by the rapid expansion and ignition of the released vapour. This is called BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Evaporating Vapour Explosion).
How will UN Regulation No 181 change fire protection?
The new UN Regulation No 181 establishes requirements for automatic engine fire-suppression systems on these vehicles. The regulation is designed to reduce the risk of BLEVE, or other catastrophic tank failure resulting of a fire. R181 covers both the fire suppression system itself and its installation in the vehicle.
The new requirement will be mandatory on new vehicles manufactured from January 1, 2029, and is encouraged from October 21, 2026. It applies to FL Vehicles carrying flammable gases, flammable liquids, and EX/III vehicles. This applies to the following ADR classes:
- Class 1, EXIII Vehicles.
- Class 2, Flammable Gases.
- Class 3, Flammable Liquids.
R181 will be similar to UNECE R107 already in place for buses, with a few additions: Fire tests will be performed without a floor, to maximise resemblance with a truck engine room. There is no re-ignition allowed within 300 seconds, and a safety factor of 1.5 will be added to the suppression agent volume.
How can automatic suppression protect dangerous goods vehicles?
Fire suppression needs to be timely, reliable, and effective. This is where the Fogmaker system comes into play: Fogmaker International AB has decades of experience in detecting and suppressing fires. Our system is specifically designed to protect vehicles and their most fire-prone components.
The specially formulated water-based mist protects engines, hydraulic components, and similar at-risk areas. The system is always active, fully automatic, and independent of electricity, providing continuous protection. For vehicles transporting dangerous goods, this means an additional layer of protection when it matters the most.
About Fogmaker International AB:
Since 1995, Fogmaker International AB has developed, manufactured and marketed high pressure water-based mist fire suppression systems for engine compartments. Based in Växjö, Sweden, the company has an research and development and manufacturing facility with 100 employees and serves customers worldwide. More than 300,000 vehicles across over 60 countries are equipped with Fogmaker systems.
The company is approved to ISO9001:2015, ISO14001:2015 and IATF 16949 standards. Since December 2022, Fogmaker has been part of Dacke Industri. Its vision is to become the market leader in suppression systems for engine compartments and confined spaces, guided by expertise, commitment and integrity.
