Preventive measures for spontaneous combustion of trucks

Every summer, trucks catch fire. How can truck owners prevent this? Read the following tips to prevent the tragedy of trucks catching fire. 

First of all, we need to figure out why trucks catch fire. Trucks catch fire usually due to the following reasons.

1. Aging of the oil line and loose joints

Aging of the oil pipe and loose joints of the oil pipe can lead to fuel leakage and easily cause spontaneous combustion.

2. Circuit aging

When the power supply circuit is aged and the insulation layer is damaged, resulting in a short circuit, the strong current generated will ignite the insulation layer and then ignite the interior. Switch contacts, plug connectors and other parts will easily heat up due to increased resistance during long-term and frequent use, and may eventually cause spontaneous combustion due to local overheating.

3. High temperature of the engine exhaust pipe

The maximum temperature at the exhaust pipe three-way catalytic converter can reach 700-800℃. It is located at the bottom of the cabin and is very likely to cause spontaneous combustion if it comes into contact with external combustibles (such as straw, plastic bags, etc.).

4. Engine backfire

Engine backfire refers to the incomplete combustion of the mixture discharged from the intake valve due to some fault, accompanied by combustion, which may ignite the air filter and intake manifold. The cause of backfire is generally due to the mixture being too lean or the ignition system failing.

5. High temperature of cigarette lighter

Cigarette lighter can generate high temperature, which may ignite the interior.

6. Dangerous items

Items such as perfume, lighters, and air fresheners may easily expand and explode under high temperatures or sunlight, or may generate high temperatures due to the focusing effect, thereby igniting the interior.

7. Illegal modification

Illegal modification or modification by unprofessionals may cause hidden dangers in materials, circuit layout, circuit load, etc.

So how should we prevent trucks from catching fire?

1. Check the circuit and oil circuit frequently

After three or four years of use, the rubber of the circuit will age, the resistance of the wire will increase and it will heat up, which is easy to short-circuit. For example, the battery terminal will become loose and hot due to impurities, oil or corrosion, which will ignite the insulation layer of the wire; the circuit connection will become loose due to long-term vibration or rapid temperature changes.

2. Do not modify without permission

Unofficial repair shops or DIY modifications may not meet the requirements in terms of materials and circuit layout, thus causing hidden dangers. Therefore, it must be done by professional technicians.

3. Be careful of dangerous items

Do not place items that may explode in the truck.

4. Advance judgment

Before a truck catches fire, there will usually be a burning smell or blue or black smoke coming out. If you find such abnormalities, you should stop the truck immediately and turn off the power.

5. Always have a fire extinguisher.

What should I do if a truck catches fire while driving?

If you find flames or black smoke coming out of your vehicle while driving, pull over and turn off the engine immediately, because turning off the power can quickly disconnect the fuel pump and reduce gasoline combustion. After turning off the power, quickly leave the burning vehicle.

After leaving the vehicle, take the fire extinguisher and check the fire. Do not open the front hood rashly. First open a small gap and wait for oxygen to enter for a while before slowly opening it completely. If you open the hood suddenly, oxygen will enter quickly and the flames will suddenly become larger, which can easily burn you.

When using a fire extinguisher to put out a fire, aim at the fuel tank and the burning part to cool down and extinguish the fire to avoid explosion, and at the same time call the fire department for help.