Innovative extinguishing systems in Erfurt: Warf vehicles now safer!

The Erfurt Stadtwerke have installed an innovative extinguishing system in twelve garbage vehicles to combat fires efficiently. In the current year 2023, four other vehicles are planned to retrofit with this system. The new sprinkler system, which was developed in Erfurt, has the goal of quickly extinguishing fires in garbage vehicles before the hydraulics are damaged. A damaged hydraulics would prevent the garbage from tipping over and, in the worst case, could lead to the full burning of the vehicle.

like mdr , the Erfurt municipal utilities have had several burning garbage vehicles in recent years. In 2023, six fires already occurred, while in 2022 there were only four. Fixed cause of these incidents are incorrectly disposed lithium batteries, which are a significant risk of fire in waste disposal. The damage caused by a vehicle fire is around 250,000 euros.

interest in the new technology

The innovative sprinkler system is of interest to Germany. Disposal from Chemnitz, Hanover and the Weimarer Land have already signaled that they want to apply the system. The conversion costs amount to around 5,000 euros per garbage vehicle. How ZFK supplemented, special water pipes with B-fire brigade connections enable direct extinguishing water supply to the loading room, even if the hydraulics is damaged. The conversion, which is considered a self -construction, takes about a day for each vehicle.

Marco Schmidt, Managing Director of the SWE city industry, emphasizes the responsibility for the security of the employees and the population, as well as the important contribution to sustainable waste management.