Improving the fire safety of road vehicles

Abstract: The number of fires in vehicles is in the same range as that in buildings. Moreover, well over 70% of vehicle fire losses occur in road vehicles, and over 90% of those happen in private cars, often from minor ignition sources (i.e., not involving the fuel tank). Regulatory requirements in most developed countries are based on an old flame spread test, developed as FMVSS 302, shown not to be suitable for the fire hazard of vehicles in the 21st century. The US NFPA Technical Committee on Hazard and Risk of Contents and Furnishings is working on a guide to investigate means for decreasing fire hazards associated with road vehicles. Key problems identified include the need for including reaction-to-fire requirements for materials, particularly in the passenger and engine compartments. The importance of material heat release and of the overall fire safety of the entire vehicle was also identified.