Business Profile
When it comes to cable protection the rail industry has
to meet the most rigorous standards of any industry. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to cable specification and getting it right is vital. Flexicon’s Tim Creedon takes a closer look
High industry safety standards T
he last 25 years have seen many developments within the rail industry focused on maintaining and promoting passenger and staff safety. The industry has undoubtedly learnt from previous events and now has some of the most stringent specifications for low fire hazard products.
The true cost of cable theft Unfortunately the rail industry is a natural target for thieves since monitoring more than 21,000 miles of track and numerous unattended vehicles is a thankless task.
Theft has cost the industry more than £47 million over the last three years and caused more than 14,500 hours of train delays.
A forward thinking solution One solution is to make the cable harder to steal. For areas where theft is a problem, it is well worthwhile using flexible conduit with a stainless steel overbraid, which makes it virtually impossible to cut quickly with a hacksaw or other improvised cutting tools. Yet cable protection needs to go far beyond these requirements. With the rail infrastructure and rolling stock presenting multiple environments that require protection against a range of hazards, more thought needs to be given to its specification.
By conducting a risk assessment you may decide that the cabling needs protection from some or all of the following: vandalism, rodents, ingress of water and dust, ammonia from waste, impact, abrasion, ultra violet rays, electromagnetic interference.
Flexible conduit systems
Flexicon has the widest range of London Underground approved conduit systems of any manufacturer, giving customers
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the widest choice possible. A detailed risk assessment is always important and the most appropriate protection will often vary.
Different environments that require cable protection
There are of course numerous factors to consider for any installation; flexible conduit, after all, protects cabling, so the first question you need to ask is, 'What does it need to be protected from?' More than in any other industry, you must ensure that cable protection is up to the job. Check that any flexible conduit meets all of the relevant standards such as the London Underground specification 1-085-A3 and also how it conforms to EN IEC 61386.
Tunnels
Although all flexible conduit systems need to have a degree of fire protection for the rail industry, it is particularly important in a tunnel. When specifying
flexible conduit in these areas, make sure that it has enhanced fire protection. The fittings are also vital, since if a fitting is compromised then the flexible conduit could become a channel that spreads the
fire. A high ingress protection rating is another consideration, for example you need to protect the cabling from tunnel dust and water in the London Underground.
Vehicles
Exactly what conduit system you specify for vehicles will depend on its application. For exterior applications you need to consider high impact resistance to
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