Motor coach fires are rare events – the resulting endangerment for the occupants exceeds that of passenger cars by far. A large number of persons is threatened by fire and smoke in an unfamiliar surrounding, panic reactions can occur. The clearance of the escape routes is limited and often blocked by luggage and personal belongings.

To find out more about the real life fire occurrence the German Federal Ministry of Transport, represented by the Federal Highway Research Institute entrusted DEKRA Accident Research to analyse bus fires and to work out a package of measures for safety improvement.

Current regulations for fire testing do not mirror all the requirements resulting from the findings won in the analyses of bus fires. A catalogue of alternative test procedures was compiled, geared to the procedures used in the railway industry to harmonise the requirements and to minimize the costs. Additional proposals for effortless and cheap realisable measurements like smoke and fire monitoring of the passenger and engine compartment, another assortment of fire extinguishers, and passenger safety information cards have been added.

The complete research report [1] has been verified for practicability and effectiveness due to a series of full scale fire testing and an expert meeting.

Most analysed fires started in the engine compartment and spread there very fast. The extinguishing attempts of the bus drivers and persons passing by have been unsuccessful in the majority of the incidents. Nearly all fires started while the bus was driving, the fires were noticed in an advanced stadium by engine problems, malfunctions, or other drivers.

The presentation will give an overview of the suggested measures, the results of the analysis of the real world fire occurrence, and the full scale fire testing.