China News Service, Jinzhong, April 3 (Reporter Lu Qiguo) In response to the recent spontaneous combustion of trucks while driving, the fire rescue department of Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province reminded on the 3rd: Beware of tire "fire" when driving in spring.
On March 21, a truck spontaneously ignited while driving in Qixian County, Shanxi Province. Photo provided by Qixian Fire Protection
At about 20:00 on March 21, near the Qiaojia Courtyard Expressway Toll Station in Qixian County, a truck full of vinegar caught fire due to a tire fire, causing the entire vehicle to be burned, and the goods on the vehicle were seriously damaged.
At around 7:00 on March 31, about 4 kilometers near the Zuoquan service area of the Donglu Expressway, a truck loaded with scrap iron suddenly caught fire while its tires were driving. When firefighters from the Zuoquan County Fire Rescue Brigade arrived at the scene, all 16 rear wheels of the truck were on fire, and some of the iron in the compartment had also been burned red.
At about 23:00 on April 1, near the Lingshi County Expressway Toll Station, a heavy-duty tractor truck carrying 32 tons of coal suddenly caught fire in the rear wheel while driving. Fortunately, the toll station staff helped control the fire and further put out the fire for the firefighters. To gain time, the open flame did not ignite the coal in the carriage.
On March 31, a truck spontaneously ignited while driving in Zuoquan, Shanxi Province, and 16 tires caught fire. Photo courtesy of Zuoquan Fire Protection
Zhao Wei, deputy captain of the Jinzhong Fire Rescue Detachment and director of the Fire Fighting and Rescue Headquarters, said that since March 1, the city’s fire rescue department has received a total of 22 reports of spontaneous vehicle combustion, most of which were caused by tire fires.
Zhao Wei introduced that tire fires on heavy-duty trucks are sometimes caused by continuous high-speed driving for a long time, some are caused by continuous use of brakes on long downhill sections, and some are caused by brake shoes not returning to their positions.
"In summer, many heavy-duty trucks rely on sprinkler systems to cool their wheel hubs; in spring, many vehicles have not yet activated their sprinkler systems. If the brakes are used continuously for a long time at high speed or on long downhill sections, it is easy to cause high temperatures in the tires and wheel hubs." Zhao Wei said.
The fire rescue department reminds: Truck drivers should try to avoid long-term high-speed driving and drive into the service area to rest at the right time. When going downhill for a long distance, you should choose a low-speed gear appropriately to exert the "engine braking" effect and avoid frequent "braking" that will cause the wheel hub to heat up quickly.
In addition, drivers should also check and maintain their vehicles frequently. If it is found that the temperature of some tires is significantly higher than that of other tires while driving, stop the vehicle immediately to find the cause and eliminate the fault in time. (over)