Bus Safety Investigation - Bus Fire 2169ST - Camperdown - 13 January 2022

View the Bus Safety Investigation Report

What happened 

On 13 January 2022, articulated bus 2169ST caught fire at a stop adjacent to the intersection of Parramatta Road and Ross Street in Camperdown. Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished the fire after the driver safely evacuated all 12 passengers.   

What we found 

• The likely initiation of the fire was a perforation in a silicone hose that fed heated engine coolant to the saloon heater.
• Coolant leaking under pressure likely contacted hot engine components and ignited.   
• The investigation also discovered unsecured high amperage wiring, potentially leading to an increased risk of an electrical short circuit - which can cause fires in the passenger saloon area.  

What has been done as a result 

• The bus operator initiated an inspection and change out program for the two silicon heater circuit supply hoses for the remaining Volvo B12BLEA Volgren bodied fleet. Hoses that were found to be in similar condition to those found in 2169ST were replaced.
• Changes were made to the content of scheduled ‘Fire Mitigation Electrical Inspections’ work orders to include conditional monitoring of A/C cables located behind A/C ducting panels.
• TfNSW reported that they have identified opportunities to engage with internal stakeholders to review the assurance activity to the applicable standards for current asset management processes and communicate key findings of the investigation to relevant TfNSW departments. 

Safety actions  

Bus and coach operators should:   

• Consider initiating component change out programs for silicone coolant hoses based on anticipated replacement prior to failure or serviceable life of such components, within existing scheduled preventative maintenance activities.
• Monitor condition of and replacement of unserviceable silicon hose insulating materials to prevent deterioration of the silicone hoses due to ambient temperature effects.
• Incorporate into their maintenance regime ongoing routine inspection of high amperage electrical circuits, including checks for wiring security and abrasion, to reduce the risk of fire. These checks to include cabling and wiring in A/C ducting and areas not normally accessed in scheduled inspections.