This will make you think.....

[AlleyCat67]

Don't skimp on fire safety. This was a training exercise, the bus was fully involved at about 4 minutes.

 

[EastCoastCB]

Yeah, I'm big on these kinds of threads. Safety can't be stressed enough!

If you dig back there are some good threads about bus fires on here. Comes up from time to time.

What gets me is folks thinking skoolies somehow "don't burn".

 

[AlleyCat67]

What gets me is folks thinking skoolies somehow "don't burn".

The bodies don't, for the most part..... what's inside them, though..... can go up like a matchbook as that video plainly shows. And once converted, with all those building materials...... even faster.

So I'll say it again.....

DON'T SKIMP ON FIRE SAFETY!!!!

 

[Dapplecreek]

DON'T SKIMP ON FIRE SAFETY!!!!

I'm picking up my recently-serviced 10ABC fire extinguisher today. And I don't even have a bus yet.

 

[Scooternj]

Agreed on all points. And I'd also recommend keeping as many emergency exits as possible, using the best quality materials for electrical and gas service (and if you know someone in those professions, to double check your work), and always have an evacuation plan.

 

[rossfree]

Makes me want to install a sprinkler system!

 

[AlleyCat67]

And I'd also recommend keeping as many emergency exits as possible.

Agreed. I don't intend on removing/blocking up any of mine.

 

[Brad_SwiftFur]

This is, in part, what helped lead to some of the safety standards we have today: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrollton_bus_collision

It is one reason gas powered (large) buses are mostly extinct, crash cages around fuel tanks, wider aisles, roof escape hatches, and escape side windows.

It is worth noting that the bus in the article was built just 9 days before some of the important safety standards went into effect ... it lacked some of the standards that went into effect. Escape windows might have prevented some of the deaths.

The Wiki claims it and the video demonstrates it. Fully engulfed in under 4 minutes. Airlines do evacuation drills (usually for the crew) regularly. I remember doing the same as a kid in school (even though I didn't ride the bus). I believe airlines are supposed to be able to completely evacuate the aircraft in under 90 seconds (and that's using the slides). Fire extinguishers and parachutes are a lot alike - when you need one, nothing else will really do the job, and you need it *RIGHT NOW*. But more to the point, it's job is not (always) to put out a big fire - but to buy you enough time to make a safe escape.

 

[AlleyCat67]

I remember this all too well.... I was there, on my way home from a military leave. Hearing the dying screams of those people..... It still haunts me to this day....