AFEX Fire Suppression Systems, specialists in designing and manufacturing fire protection systems for heavy-duty mobile equipment, announces that its 1.5-gallon Compact Liquid Agent System is now approved to FM Approvals FM 5970 HDME standard, further reinforcing AFEX’s commitment to safety, performance, and third-party validation.
This certification applies to both traditional and in-line system configurations, providing equipment owners and OEMs with greater flexibility when integrating fire protection into space-constrained machines.
From Market Demand to Certified Performance
Originally introduced to meet a growing need in the market, the AFEX Compact System was developed specifically for smaller machines with limited installation space – equipment that operates in high-risk environments but has historically been underserved by traditional fire suppression solutions.
Across industries including forestry, waste and recycling, mining, and transportation, these machines perform critical tasks where fire risk is present regardless of size – from skid steers and compact loaders to utility vehicles, buses, and support machines.
Smaller equipment are not lower risk – they often operate under the same demanding conditions as larger equipment. With high operating temperatures, pressurized hydraulic fluids, electrical components, and confined engine compartments, fires can ignite and escalate quickly. Yet many of these machines have historically gone unprotected due to space constraints, leaving operators, equipment, and productivity exposed.
Today, with FM 5970 certification for the 1.5-gallon configuration, that same purpose-built solution is now backed by one of the industry’s most rigorous third-party approvals.
Raising the Standard with Third-Party Certification
FM 5970 is the globally recognized benchmark for fire suppression systems designed for heavy-duty mobile equipment (HDME). To achieve FM Approval, systems must pass extensive testing that simulates real-world conditions, including vibration, temperature extremes, and fire suppression effectiveness.
“At AFEX, we don’t design systems to meet the minimum standard – we design them to perform in the real world,” said Kevin Kroll, President of Operations at AFEX. “Third-party testing like FM 5970 validates that our systems will operate under the same harsh conditions our customers face every day. It’s about ensuring that when a fire occurs, the system responds exactly as expected – protecting the operator and helping ensure operations can continue safely.”
This milestone builds on AFEX’s broader commitment to certified performance across its product portfolio, underscoring a long-standing investment in rigorous testing, third-party validation, and continuous product improvement.
Compact System: Engineered for Performance in Tight Spaces
The AFEX Compact System was designed to deliver reliable fire protection without compromising on performance – providing a purpose-built solution for equipment where space is limited.
Key features include:
- Flexible installation with tanks mountable in any orientation – vertical, horizontal, or angled
- Compact, lightweight design for space-constrained equipment
- Non-pressurized system design that minimizes the risk of leaks
- Nitrogen cartridge activation, rapidly deploying agent when a fire is detected
- SAFE-X fluorine-free liquid agent, engineered to cool surfaces quickly and help prevent re-ignition
- Compact monitor panel, designed for small cabs to clearly alert the operator of a fire condition, enabling faster awareness and response
Together, these features enable fire protection to be seamlessly integrated into machines that have traditionally lacked space for suppression systems – helping OEMs and equipment owners enhance safety without compromising design or performance.
To learn more about the AFEX Compact Fire Suppression System, watch the product overview video, contact your local distributor, or visit: www.afexsystems.com.
