Australian truck insurer, National Transport Insurance (NTI), will address ways to minimise the risk of non-impact fires in truck fleets at the upcoming 2013 PACCAR and Dealer TMC from 28 – 30 October.
According to NTI National Manager Industrial Relations, Owen Driscoll, truck fires are a growing problem for the trucking industry with more truck losses caused by fire than driver fatigue.
“It can’t be ignored. In 2011, 12.1 per cent of the major losses reported to NTI were attributed to non-impact fires, with an average fire loss of $170,000 for each incident. Undoubtedly, the incident rate of fire losses has increased substantially since we first researched them in the 2005 study,” he said.
“These fire losses originated from failed wheel bearings, brakes, engine, cabin electrical wiring and trailer refrigeration equipment. It naturally raises the question of whether the standard of quality and regular equipment maintenance has become less rigorous.
Driscoll added: “Workshop technicians can remove many of the risk factors for these fires with preventative measures such as installing circuit breaker protection, ensuring proper tyre inflation and checking wiring for rubbing.
“Truck fires represent an enormous loss to the industry. It’s essential that all operators and workshop staff across Australia are aware of the risk factors and work to manage them within their fleet.”
TMC2013, which will be held at the Kangan Institute in Docklands, Melbourne, will also feature technical forums on key issues like truck electrical fault finding, parts purchasing and tyre selection and maintenance, as well as hands-on product training workshops to be delivered by transport equipment suppliers Cummins, Eaton and BPW Transpec.
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