02-16-2009, 03:46 PM
The October 2008 issue of RMC has an 11 page article on fire protection for open-deck bridges - the lead photo is of a steel bridge on the CPR, complete with fire barrels. The article goes into some depth on different classes of fire protection, including sheet metal capping on wooden bridges, both of support members and ties, ballasted decks and ballasted decks over sheet metal, along with various "fire-proof" coatings and the use of fire barrels. While fire barrels have almost disappeared from the scene nowadays, they were a common sight on both wooden and steel bridges during the steam and early diesel eras. Anybody remember the Poughkeepsie Bridge fire? 
Wayne
Wayne