Approval Standard 5970, Heavy Duty Mobile Equipment (HDME) Fire Protection Systems, describes requirements for fire protection systems for HDME which use a variety of suppressants. These include, but are not limited to, dry chemical, wet chemical, foam, and gaseous agents. Performance requirements include flow distribution tests, fire extinguishing tests, cycle operations tests, agent storage containers, hydrostatic pressure test, pressure relief devices, mounting device test, flexible hose, actuation device operation, dielectric withstand, control unit operation and power supply, and more.
HDME includes a large range of sizes and complexity. The smallest examples may carry a single operator and have an open cockpit. The largest include mining equipment that may have several floors, a multiplicity of hazards, and multiple occupants. FM 5970 requires the examination of complete systems: either storage and delivery, detection and control, or combined detection, control, storage, and delivery.