Amet Industries recently completed several combine harvester fire suppression system installation and commissionings in South Australia.
Machine – John Deere X9 1100 harvester Fire Protection – Muster 110L LHD fire suppression system installation
Australian Standard AS5062:2022 (Fire Protection of Mobile and Transportable Equipment) is the current benchmark for fire suppression systems on mobile plant in Australia. The standard applies to agricultural mobile plant, including combine harvesters
“7% of combine harvesters operating in Australia start a fire in any given harvest season”
The Country Fire Authority of Victoria identifies the most common cause of harvester fires as material collecting on hot engine components, specifically the manifold, exhaust, and turbocharger. On average, 7% of combine harvesters operating in Australia start a fire in any given harvest season. Approximately 10% of those fires result in significant machinery loss or widespread crop damage. The two main ignition drivers are dust and chaff build-up on hot engine surfaces and mechanical bearing failures.
* source cfa.vic.gov.au, last updated August 2025
How a combine harvester fire suppression systems works
MusterWire linear heat detection wire is routed through high-risk areas such as the engine bay, exhaust manifold and hydraulic compartment. It detects temperature at the point of contact rather than smoke or airborne particles, making it suitable for dusty harvester environments. These environments contain chaff and crop debris, and could cause false alarms with optical smoke detectors.
When the wire reaches its activation temperature, the Muster fire suppression control panel enters FIRE mode. An audible cab alarm and visual indicator activate, while the machine shutdown and suppression sequence begins in accordance with the approved system design.
Suppression agent is discharged through pre-positioned stainless-steel nozzles onto the identified hazard zones. Farm machinery typically uses fluorine-free (F3) foam, which smothers flames, separates fuel from oxygen, suppresses flammable vapours and cools hot surfaces to help prevent re-ignition.
Because F3 foam contains no PFAS, it leaves no PFAS residue that could contaminate soil, irrigation water or livestock drinking supplies after discharge. Check out our Foam Fire Extinguishing Agent Information
Amet Industries is a Premier supplier of Muster Fire Protection products
