Apparatus and method for off-road vehicle fire protection and fire suppression

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for the protection of off-road vehicles, such as ladle carriers, pot carriers, slag carriers and front end loaders which are used in high heat or flammable environments. The present invention prevents and/or limits damage from radiant heat, provides for the extinguishment of fires, provides a level of protection to the vehicle operator, and provides for the operator's escape from the vehicle at the onset of a fire or high heat incident. The apparatus and method of this invention implements the use of a liquid surfactant based wetting agent. The wetting agent is formulated to prevent radiant and ambient heat damage to the vehicle from radiant heat, flame and splashing of molten material on the vehicle. The wetting agent can be made to be environmentally safe. The present invention provides an increased level of safety to the operator, should the operator be required to escape from the vehicle in the event of a fire or high heat incident. The apparatus of the present invention includes four components that provide a total protection system for off-road vehicles to address specific areas of the vehicle. The specific areas include the tires, the hydraulic lines, the hydraulic pump and motor compartment. Should a fire occur in a specific area of the vehicle, the operator is able to independently activate a specific area protection system component to address that precise fire or heat damage problem in that specific area.