Research into typical causes and conditions of agricultural machinery fires

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to determine the most typical causes and conditions of agricultural machinery fires based on foreign publications published at different times In Ukraine, much less tractor equipment is used for agricultural work, and at the same time, it has a much longer service life than in more economically developed countries. The age of tractor drivers and truck drivers is 50+ and 40+ years, respectively, and their number is insufficient. Then the equipment and people will be operated with increased load (and in the summer period and in conditions of elevated temperatures), which with a high probability can provoke emergency situations, including fires. The statistics of fires at agricultural tractors and combine harvesters are highlighted, on the basis of which the corresponding diagrams of the causes and conditions of fires at agricultural machinery are built. Based on the presented data, it is possible to conclude that the main place of occurrence of fires is the engine and the electrical system, and the sources of ignition are hot combustion products and surfaces heated by them and thermal manifestations of electrical energy. The largest number of fires occurred in June, October and November, the most dangerous days of the week are Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, the most dangerous time of day is from 14.00 to 16.00.Conclusions were drawn regarding potentially dangerous operating conditions of agricultural machinery.