Business Profile
ballast and abrasion from stones and dirt. Also check that the system has been vibration and shock tested to EN61373 Cat 2 and has a high pull of strength to maintain system integrity. Indeed on the latter point, fittings should not be able to be removed without the use of a tool. Other factors to consider include a high ingress protection rating and resistance to ultraviolet light. Rail carriages will share many of these requirements, again depending on whether the installation is inside or outside the vehicle. Just like tunnels, rail carriages are also at a high risk of fast spreading fires and passenger safety is obviously critical, so again extra low fire hazard flexible conduit is needed. Also important is effective electromagnetic interference screening for data running through the carriages.
Trackside For trackside cable protection, consider the impact of stones and ballast being thrown up by passing trains and also the effects of vibration.
Any cable protection also needs high ingress protection, since cables could probably even be underwater for extended periods of time. Also consider oil and chemical resistance, ammonia from waste, rodents and protection from ultraviolet degradation.
Stations
Any public area will need to provide protection from vandalism or accidental damage, which is why specifying a system with a high tensile or ‘pull off’ strength is important.
Public safety is also of paramount importance, so any enclosed platform or underground station will need conduit that has an enhanced low fire hazard performance. Generally there is so much power and data cabling in and around stations that the exact specification of flexible conduit will probably vary depending on the application. For any cabling that is outside or inside exposed areas, a high ingress protection rating will be needed and possibly also resistance to ultraviolet light, which can degrade material over time thus exposing cabling. Cabling for passenger information and security systems for instance will also need to provide electromagnetic compatibility screening.
Another consideration is aesthetics, especially when the conduit is visible and when working in architectural buildings such as Blackfriars station (see Box, right) or Glasgow Central. Tim Creedon is Sales & Marketing director at Flexicon.
www.flexicon.uk.com Tel: +44 (0)1675 466900 Fax: +44 (0)1675 466901
Page 100 June 2013
Buying British makes good commercial sense and provides extra assurance
To ensure quality make sure that you specify flexible conduit from a trusted manufacturer. It is a real advantage to opt for ‘Made in Britain’ and check that it is not just supplied by a third party from Britain. This is not just a patriotic stance; it makes good commercial sense and provides extra assurance as well. The specification of flexible conduit can be a complex process, with multiple considerations
depending on the environment that the cabling is in. A local supplier can respond to your needs more quickly with sound technical advice and if needed even visit the site. Using a British manufacturer also ensures that product is available quickly and not on a slow
boat from China. This advantage becomes even more apparent when you need specials, whether this is conduit cut to length to make installation faster and easier or the development of a system to protect cables from a specific hazard.
Power and data protection for Blackfriars Balfour Beatty used Flexicon’s flexible conduit to protect all of the cabling for lighting, power, signalling and communications for the £350 million redevelopment of Blackfriars station. The project included the creation of a common entrance at the north end of the rail bridge spanning the River Thames, increasing the length of the platforms to accommodate 50 per cent longer trains, the refurbishment of the underground station and the construction of a new station on the South Bank of the Thames. The station will be the first one to span the entire length of the River Thames. It will also feature 600m2 of photovoltaic panels that will produce over 1MW of energy. All of the services have been left exposed as part of the design, so Flexicon’s LFHUBRD flexible
conduit has been specified since its stainless steel overbraid provides both protection and aesthetic appeal. The system has high abrasion resistance and mechanical strength, is highly flexible and has an ingress protection rating of up to IP65. In addition, the flexible conduit meets all of Transport for London’s fire requirements. As
a low fire hazard product it is highly flame retardant, has low smoke emissions, low toxicity and is halogen free. It also provides electromagnetic compatibility screening, which is vital for communications and signalling.
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