HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A RAILWAY NETWORK IS SAFE?
13.09.2018
We often question the safety of rail transport after an accident occurs. This concern is valid because every year in Europe we travel 392 billion kilometers on national networks and 23 billion kilometers on international journeys (source Eurostat).
This is why we must consider three fundamental parameters: the technological equipment of the railway network, the modernity of the trains and the professionalism of the railway staff.
Improvement plans must involve the operators, but also the railway infrastructures. This includes information systems, signposting for the public, communication technology between network nodes and surveillance systems.
And the trains? European legislation is not only concerned with networks and interoperability, but also with precise rules on the construction of carriages and locomotives.
A standard we have heard about a lot lately is EN 45545-2. This standard specifies the fire behavior requirements of materials and products used on rail vehicles.
But what does this standard really address? The main focus concerns the safety of travelers and operators in case of fire on board. In case of combustion materials must not emit opaque fumes that prevent visibility to passengers and fire fighters. They must not produce toxic gases that prevent breathing. Lastly, flames must not reach excessive dimensions in a short period of time.
When taking care of these aspects, legislation also takes into account the maximum length of European tunnels. It is in fact precisely the time to travel each tunnel that determines the time in which the hose must guarantee viability. Consider whether the train goes through tunnels with escape routes or not. And whether passengers will be sleeping or awake. This is why there are different grades and levels of safety between carriages with bed cabins and couchettes, or only with seats.
EN 45545-2 harmonized and replaced the previous national standards, and raised the level of fire behavior requirements of the products installed in trains.
IVG Colbachini’s R&D team has created a complete range according to this new standard.
The hoses have a structure and rubber compounds designed to meet the highest levels of risk (HL2, HL3) both for indoor use (R22) and outside (R23). We are able to supply connected and customized hoses based on any specific construction standard or technical specifications. Finally, we exceed the requirements of the EN 50553 standard because we satisfy the resistance test for 15 minutes in contact with the flame 800°C according to ISO 15540. And we do this with a hose that does not need an external sleeve combined with mechanical measures. We have a patented a structure: we vulcanize the layers that allow full Running Capability.
We will be at Innotrans in Berlin from 18 to 21 September 2018 - stand 107, hall 10.2 - to present our Rail Sparrow/2FV hose. But we will be there mostly to listen to your needs. We are waiting for you.