  Multiple-GEM detectors are considered to be good candidates for tracking
devices in experiments with high hadronic background. We present the results of
the triple-GEM detectors beam test in a high intensity pion beam. The detectors
had an optimized two-dimensional readout with minimized strip capacitance. Such
optimization permitted the starting point of the efficiency plateau down to a
gain of 5000. The probability of GEM discharges induced by heavily ionizing
particles has been measured as a function of gain: at a gain of 20000 it
amounts to 10^(-11) per incident particle. Such a value will ensure safe
operation of the detector in the conditions of forward region of the LHC
experiments.
