Reacton Fire Suppression’s Ed Chivers, Global Product & Certification Director, shares how updated UAE rules are reshaping school bus safety and demanding certified suppression systems
Buses in the UAE face a range of fire risks primarily linked to engine overheating, electrical faults and mechanical failures.
High ambient temperatures, long-distance travel and heavy passenger loads place additional strain on vehicle components, especially in diesel-fueled engines.
These conditions can cause fluid leaks, short circuits, or friction-related heat build-up in engine compartments, all of which increase the likelihood of fire.
The confined layout of buses also means that fires can spread quickly, putting passengers at immediate risk and making safe evacuation difficult if detection and suppression systems are not in place.
With new school bus fire safety laws coming into effect across the UAE, the focus on onboard fire suppression systems has never been more timely.
Reacton Fire Suppression, a manufacturer known for its automatic fire suppression technology, is already playing a key role in this shift.
The company’s work across the Middle East has expanded in recent years, following its national and global certifications along with various Civil Defence approvals and ongoing initiatives in high-risk vehicle sectors.
In this discussion, Ed Chivers, Global Product & Certification Director at Reacton Fire Suppression explains the company’s approach to fire suppression, what the new UAE regulations mean for public safety and how Reacton is addressing challenges across varied applications in this transport arena.
The UAE is introducing new regulations for fire suppression on school buses — what exactly is changing?
The UAE.S 5041:2021 standard mandates the installation and testing of fire suppression systems in the engine compartments of buses and coaches, ensuring compliance with rigorous fire safety requirements.
It mandates the installation of automatic fire suppression systems in the engine compartments of diesel-fuelled buses carrying more than 22 passengers, including the driver.
This standard was developed by the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA) and the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MOIAT).
It integrates various fire tests, component assessments and detection requirements into a comprehensive approval process.
The Emirates Safety Laboratory (ESL) is currently the only recognized body in the region authorized to conduct testing and certification according to UAE.S 5041:2021.
The implementation of UAE.S 5041:2021 addresses the significant concern of bus fires in the UAE, which have been attributed to factors such as mechanical failures, electrical malfunctions and engine overheating.
By ensuring the installation of certified fire suppression systems, the standard aims to provide passengers with valuable time to evacuate safely and prevent fires from escalating.
Reacton Fire Suppression has achieved UAE.S 5041:2021 certification for our fire suppression systems, demonstrating compliance with the stringent safety and quality standards set forth in the UAE.
Why do you think these changes are being brought in now and how will they help improve safety for school children?
There is vast research into the dangers and issues surrounding bus and coach fires from various institutes, research foundations and associations across the world, I don’t think the risk needs any justification or is in question it is just what a comprehensive testing method and robust system looks like.
There have been regulations in place for the contracting parties of the UNECE for some time now but the UAE has taken a stronger stance and made this mandatory.
Having a fire suppression system that meets the UAE.S 5041 standard provides operators and passengers early notification to maximise egress time, it will also provide correct application of a fire suppression system that has been tested for that exact environment.
This means the fire is tackled and protects the precious passengers on board.
How is Reacton involved in helping operators in the UAE meet these new legal requirements?
Reacton has taken proactive steps to assist operators in the UAE in complying with the UAE.S 5041:2021 standard, which mandates fire suppression systems in school buses.
The company achieved the world’s first Emirates Safety Laboratory (ESL) UAE.S 5041:2021 certification for its fire suppression systems, ensuring adherence to the stringent requirements set by UAE authorities.
This certification underscores Reacton’s commitment to safety and compliance in the region.
We have worked very closely with the authorities to ensure that our offering has a comprehensive and effective solution that can be applied in the real world.
With easy to follow and understand guidance such as our industry leading technical manuals, clear communication on Risk Assessments, checklists, installation certificates and maintenance checklists.
What challenges are there in installing fire suppression systems in tightly-packed vehicles like school buses?
Installing fire suppression systems in compact vehicles such as school buses presents challenges like limited space, complex engine layouts and the need to protect multiple potential fire sources.
Reacton addresses these by offering compact, high-performance systems designed for confined spaces.
Their systems use dry powder agents for rapid fire suppression and are engineered to detect and extinguish fires swiftly, minimizing risk to passengers and vehicle damage.
We pride ourselves on engineering the highest quality components, extinguishing agents and technology to provide big fire suppression performance from the smallest systems on the market.
How does Reacton ensure its systems perform reliably in extreme conditions found in the Middle East?
Reacton’s fire suppression systems undergo rigorous testing to ensure reliability under harsh conditions, including extreme heat and dust prevalent in the Middle East.
The systems are certified to UAE.S 5041 which means they have had to go through the tough mechanical tests to prove they can operate when they are called upon.
However, in addition to this the same technology has also gone through stringent standards such as P-Mark SPCR 183, SPCR 199 and AS 5062 which involve comprehensive fire, vibration, corrosion and temperature cycling tests.
This ensures the systems’ durability and effectiveness in challenging environments.
Can you talk about how your solutions are used outside of buses?
Beyond buses, Reacton’s fire suppression systems are employed in various heavy equipment applications, including construction, mining and waste management vehicles.
These systems are designed to protect machinery operating in high-risk environments, such as heavy-duty excavators, landfill waste compactors and mining equipment.
The systems can utilise Dry Powder, Wet Chemical or dual-agent configurations, combining dry powder and wet chemical agents for effective fire suppression and prevention of re-ignition.
How do you work with partners or local distributors in the region to deliver and maintain these systems?
Reacton collaborates with regional partners and local distributors to deliver and maintain its fire suppression systems.
For instance, in the UAE, Reacton partnered with Tabra Trading to retrofit over 2,300 school buses with fire suppression systems.
This collaboration ensures that systems are installed and maintained by trained professionals familiar with local regulations and conditions.
We have worked very closely with Tabra to ensure our UAE.S 5041 product offering is fully compliant to the MOIAT requirements that go much deeper than just passing the fire tests and mechanical testing, there are audits on the installation locations, Factory Production Control and much more.
What kind of support do operators and maintenance teams need to keep these systems working properly?
Proper training and support are crucial for the effective operation and maintenance of fire suppression systems.
Reacton provides comprehensive training courses covering system design, equipment selection, agent application, installation and maintenance.
These courses are designed to educate engineers and key personnel in the fire suppression industry, ensuring systems are correctly maintained and function as intended.
These are controlled with training certificates and are always in close communication with our partners to ensure they have all the necessary tools and knowledge to provide accurate and compliant installations.
Are there any new products or developments Reacton is working on?
Reacton continually invests in research and development to enhance its product offerings.
While specific upcoming products may not be publicly disclosed, the company’s recent certifications, such as the UL 2166 for Indirect (ILP) Technology and the world’s first UL 2166 Direct (DLP) technology have already gained Dubai Civil Defence approval.
In addition to this the SASO 2946:2020 Certificate for fire suppression systems indicate ongoing efforts to develop solutions tailored to regional requirements.
Do you see fire suppression becoming a more standard requirement across different sectors in the Middle East?
The Middle East is experiencing a shift towards stricter fire safety regulations across various sectors.
This is all testament to this new mandatory requirement for bus & coach fire suppression, we will quickly see other GCC member states following on.
As awareness of fire risks grows and regulations become more stringent, the adoption of fire suppression systems is expected to become standard practice across multiple industries in the region.
This article was originally published in the May 2025 issue of International Fire & Safety Journal – to read your FREE digital copy, click here.