M88A2: AFES PM Keeps Fires at Bay

Your M88A2 recovery vehicle’s automatic fire extinguishing system—AFES—can save your vehicle from serious damage, as well as save the lives of you and your fellow crewmen. But the AFES needs regular preventive maintenance to ensure it can do its job.
   

• The AFES sensors should be free of dirt or debris and the cables properly connected. Make sure the sensors and nozzles aren’t blocked by improperly routed electrical cables, hydraulic hoses or fuel lines.
  
  
   
• The AFES interior and exterior handles should be properly laced with safety wire. The wire keeps the bottles from accidentally discharging. There should be two strands
  for a proper lace. The wire comes as part of a kit, NSN 4210-01-542-3071.
• The warning horn override should be off and the portable fire extinguishers stowed properly and inspected.
  
  
   
• Make it a habit when you turn on the master power switch to keep an eye on the Built-In Test (BIT) on the AFES control electronics panel (CEP). If a fault with any of the sensors occurs, a light will go on. Clean the sensors and check the electrical connection. If the fault isn’t corrected, tell a mechanic.
• Make sure the extinguisher bottles don’t have pins installed in the fire extinguisher operating levers. Ensure the pins are stowed properly in the fire extinguisher bottle mounting clamps. The anti-recoil plugs should be stowed out of the way of the bottle and vehicle linkages. Drape the anti-recoil plug lanyard over and through the stowed pins. The pins and anti-recoil plugs are only used when the fire extinguisher bottles are being replaced. Don’t operate the AFES with empty bottles. Always check the pressure gauges like it says in the -10 TM.
  
    
   
• Ensure the extinguisher’s electrical cables are connected to the bottle. Remember, when the AFES is activated, only two bottles are deployed automatically. If the initial deployment doesn’t put out the fire, you’ll need to manually deploy the remaining bottles. Bottles 3 and 4 will be deployed in the engine compartment if you flip the ENG 2 switch. Bottle 5 will be deployed in the crew compartment if you flip the MECH switch.