ASHBURN, Va. -- Although motorcoach industry safety experts still don't have a complete handle on the issue of bus fires, they have been able to glean enough information to make recommendations on how operators can increase their chances of avoiding them.

Speaking to operators at the annual United Motorcoach Safety Management Seminar here late last month, safety consultant Matthew Daecher said operators need to focus their attention on several areas of their coaches where most fires seem to start.

And, he said, they need to get their drivers, mechanics and others who have access to their coaches more involved in watching for early signs of problems that can lead to fires when the coaches are on the road.

"Operators must take steps to identify the issues that could cause fires through vigilance and training," he said. "Focus on those issues."

Daecher, president of Daecher Consulting of Camp Hill, Pa., said that while overall data on the number of bus fires that occur each year and their causes remains sparse, studies of incidents that were reported in 2004 showed that about half of the fires started in the engine compartments, 30 percent began in the wheels, and the remainder started elsewhere on the coach.

He said the study identified the major trouble spots as turbochargers, alternators, hub failures, electrical shorts and flat tires.

There were no links, he said, to specific makes, models or designs of buses, which has been a concern of many in the industry for some time. "We can't point our fingers at the manufacturers because they're building what operators want to fit their needs," he noted.

Daecher offered these suggestions to help spot early signs of possible trouble:

The oil lubrication system on turbochargers should be checked carefully for leaks so that oil is not dripping onto the hot engine or hot exhaust components.

Older model air-cooled alternators Delco 50-DN among them have direct battery cables attached to nearby studs and they need to be checked to make sure they are securely clamped so they do not become compromised.

Hub seals need to be inspected regularly to make sure the bearings are well lubricated and there are no leaks. Poorly lubricated bearings can overheat quickly, igniting tires, brake pads and other wheel-end components.

All electrical wiring, especially battery cables and all wiring that passes through the engine compartment, should be checked on a regular basis for breaks or spots that appear to be wearing out.

Tires need to be checked often, not only at the garage, but when the coach stops while on a trip as well. Although the driver should notice a difference in handling when an inside dual tire goes flat, the change might not be enough to draw immediate attention so the bus can be pulled off the road.

Daecher emphasized, too, that little things, such as cleaning coach engines frequently and checking oil puddles after a parked coach is moved, can help drivers, mechanics and others find possible problems.

"It is pretty hard to find a new oil leak if the engine is never cleaned," he added.

He said drivers also need to be taught to pay close attention for signs the bus might be giving, such as a loss of power that could indicate a faulty turbocharger or poor handling that could indicate a wheel problem.

Also, they need to contact their dispatcher when they discover a problem so the company can make the decision if the coach should be allowed to continue to its next stop or if it should be pulled off the highway immediately. "That's a decision that management needs to make," he said.

He stressed, too, that drivers should be taught never to dismiss a warning from a passenger who feels or smells something different while on the bus, or a motorist who pulls alongside the coach honking the horn and pointing to something on the bus.

"Because most fires start far away from the drivers, they must be trained to acknowledge passengers and passing motorists," he said. "Those things need to be investigated."

Daecher suggested, too, that maintenance people should spend more time with drivers, teaching them how to check for oil leaks, frayed wiring and other possible conditions that could cause problems, including leading to a bus fire.