Detection of fires in the engine compartments, toilet compartments, baggage bays and sleeping cabins of Heavy Duty (HD) vehicles is arduous. The elevated air flows, concentration of pollutants and wide range of surface temperatures in the engine compartment together with the complicated geometries of the latter spaces complicate the operation of all types of detectors. These lead to difficulties defining the optimal type of detection technologies to be used as well as the adequate location of each detector.

This paper presents research for understanding the challenges and necessary characteristics of detection systems in compartments with high air flows, large temperature variations and complicated geometries. In particular, this work reports about literature surveys of existing standards, legislations and research in the field as well as experimental findings.