DESIGN OF A FIRE PROOF VEHICLE

A Chevrolet Vega Notchback was modified to insure maximum fire safety for passengers. Various fire safety devices were added. The gas tank was moved into the trunk to avoid direct hitting due to rear-end collision. The shape of the gas tank was changed to allow finite volume change and avoid spilling of gasoline. The fuel line and the filler tube were redesigned to withstand higher pressure. A honeycombed energy absorption system was installed in the rear bumper to absorb most of the impact energy due to a moderate speed collision. An integrated circuit control system which could detect fire and activate an extinquishant system was added. Experiments were performed only on individual parts, and the results appeared satisfactory.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of California, Berkeley

  Fire Research Group
  Berkeley, CA  United States  94720

  National Science Foundation

  1800 G Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20550
• Authors:
  • Chan, Ching-Yao
  • Chi, L L
  • Pagni, P J
• Publication Date: 1975-7

Media Info

• Pagination: 80 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Bumpers; Control devices; Design; Electric circuits; Energy absorption; Fire detection systems; Fire extinguishers; Fire prevention; Fireproof materials; Fires; Flammability tests; Fuel system components; Fuel tanks; Performance evaluations; Rear end crashes; Safety; Tests; Traffic crashes; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Motor vehicle accidents; Revisions
• Old TRIS Terms: Circuits; Fuel lines
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00094300
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: UCB-FRG-75-18, NSF/RA/T-75-032
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 29 1976 12:00AM