Fire suppression system in power car and pantry car in LHB coaches.

Yes — **the fire suppression system in the power car of LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coaches is a real, working safety system used in Indian Railways**, especially on trains with End-On Generation (EOG) power cars or DG-set generator cars. ([Scribd][1])

🔥 What the System Is

In LHB rakes, the *power car’s fire suppression system* is part of the overall fire safety arrangement along with smoke/heat detectors:

*Detection:* Heat and smoke detectors are installed in the **generator room**/engine compartment of the power car. These monitor for early signs of fire or smoke. ([Scribd][1])
*Suppression Hardware:*

One *high-pressure nitrogen cylinder* and *two water cylinders* are installed in the power car. ([Scribd][1])
These are connected by piping to *multiple nozzles* (about 10) placed inside the generator room, designed to *disperse a fine water mist* into the space. ([Scribd][1])

🔧 How It Works – Operating Principle

1. *Fire/Smoke Detected:* Heat or smoke sensors trigger an alarm to alert the crew. ([Scribd][1])
2. *Manual Trigger:* Unlike fully automatic suppression in some applications, the power car fire suppression system is typically **manually activated** by the train crew via a control panel/trigger valve in the crew room. ([Scribd][1])
3. *Activation of Suppressant:* Opening the trigger releases *high-pressure nitrogen**, which helps force the water out of the cylinders and disperses **water mist through the nozzles* over the generator and fire area. ([Scribd][1])
4. *Water Mist Extinguishes Fire:* The mist reduces heat and displaces oxygen locally, helping suppress or control the fire. ([The Statesman][2])

This approach combines *water mist extinguishing* with nitrogen propulsion, which is effective for fires in electrical and mechanical compartments like a DG set room without flooding it with liquid water. ([The Statesman][2])

🛠 System Characteristics

*Semi-automatic response:* Detectors and alarms are automatic, but the suppression release often requires crew action (depending on configuration and regional installation practices). ([Scribd][1])
*Used in many LHB power cars:* Indian Railways has been progressively fitting power cars and pantry cars across LHB rakes with the *fire detection cum suppression system (FDSS)* as part of safety upgrades. ([rskr.irimee.in][3])
*Complementary system:* This works alongside automatic smoke/fire detection linked to braking or alerts in passenger coaches, but suppression in the power car’s engine compartment focuses specifically on the higher risk generator/DG environment. ([Scribd][1])

If you want further details (like wiring diagrams, control panel operations, or maintenance schedules), I can explain those too.

[1]: https://id.scribd.com/document/646902... "Revised LHB Manual Vol II Chapter IX | PDF | Door"
[2]: https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/a... "Automatic fire detection at pantry cars and power cars - The Statesman"
[3]: https://rskr.irimee.in/sites/default/... "Fire in Trains/Railway Coaches"