TRUCKING FIRE PREVENTION

Diesel fuel is hard to ignite, but when you've got as much as 100 gallons or more on board, it can make a real mess of the driver and the semi if it catches fire following an accident. Research indicates that a large energy source is required to ignite warm diesel fuel (as found in fuel tanks, warmed by re-circulation through the pump).

Sparks or hot surfaces such as exhaust manifolds and exhaust pipes probably can't ignite a large diesel leak from a ruptured fuel tank. The most likely ignition source for producing a fire following a rollover or collision is the battery box. If the battery is shorted out or crushed in a collision in addition to a ruptured fuel tank, you may get a large fire. If you can't get out of the rig you had better hope the rollover or collision has already killed you. It will get real ugly in the cab if you've got a large diesel fire under it.

So, how do you reduce the chances of this happening? MOVE THE BATTERIES! Put them behind the cab in front of the fifth wheel or inside the frame rails so that the frame protects them (if there is room). Get a good electrical mechanic to do this and make sure he checks for interference if you decide to put them inside the frame rails. If you can't move the batteries, put a cage around the box. Make it out of heavy gauge angle iron or steel tubing. Don't weld the cage to the frame rail! This will ruin the heat treatment and the rail will break. Bolt it on. The idea is to prevent the batteries from being crushed and/or shorted out in an accident without damaging or reducing the strength of the rig.

Work Hard - ActSafe®