“Fire Detection and Suppression System (FDSS)”
Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a fire mitigation system in buses, which can detect fires in less than 30 seconds and extinguish it within a minute.
- The wider rollout of this technology will come as a big help to check mishaps, which often result in claiming multiple lives, particularly in sleeper buses.
- FDSS for the engine comprises an aerosol generator with which the fire suppression could be achieved within 5 seconds of the system activation.
- The active fire protection system has been developed by the Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES), a DRDO laboratory.
- The CFEES has unique competency in the areas of fire risk assessment, fire suppression using different extinguishing mediums, modelling and simulation.
- It has developed systems for battle tanks, ships and submarines.
- Although the fire threat is present in all the vehicles, the concern is more for school buses and sleeper coaches for long distance travel.