ROLLING STOCK
Fire protection railway technology
UNI Dicht cable glands can be used without restriction in trains, says Carsten Wohlrath. P
eople’s lives are soon at risk whenever a fire breaks out in a station, tunnel or
train. That is the lesson from catastrophic fires over the years. The issue of ‘fire protection in railway vehicles’ is firmly in focus following the publication of the new fire protection standard EN 45545-2, which from 2013 will unify
Set-up for ‘integrity’ testing 24055dB16
M40 (15.5 – 11.5)
Cable (Sienopyr): A5E00996980 (D=14.2 – 15.4 mm ) Counter nut: 240/5
Mounting plate BL ISO9445-1.5
EN10088-2-X5CRNI18-10 1.4301
23254dB20 M32 (20.5 – 17.0)
Cable (Sienopyr): A5E00996984 (D= 18.7 – 20.2 mm) Counter nut: 232/5
23254dB11 M32 (10.5 – 7.0) Cable (Gore): A5E00293784 Counter nut: 232/5
22553dB16 M25 (15.5 – 11.5)
Cable (Sienopyr): A5E00996980 (D= 12.0 – 13.2 mm) Counter nut: 225/5
22553dB 8 M25 (8.0 – 5.0)
Cable (Radox): A5E02602797 (D= 7.1mm) Counter nut: 225/5
22052dB13 M20 (13 – 9.0) Cable (Gore): A5E00293719 Counter nut: 220/5
21650dB 9 M16 (9.5 – 6.5) Cable (Gore): A5E00293717 Counter nut: 216/5
7240/DR
Blank plugs_M40x1.5 Hex head with O-ring
Counter nut: 240/5 24055dB28
M40 (28.0 – 24.0)
Cable (Sienopyr): A5E00996987 Counter nut: 240/5
7216/DR
Blank plugs_M16x1.5 Hex head with O-ring
Counter nut: 216/5 68 | rail technology magazine Jun/Jul 13
various regulations within Europe with the aim of increasing passenger safety.
With its release, national standards such as NF F 16-101 and 102, BS 6853 and DIN 5510-2 will cease to be valid. Pflitsch has already had its cable glands and the materials used in them tested in accordance with the new EU standard – with excellent results.
The railway industry with its rolling stock, stations and infrastructure, has complex requirements for fire protection. Aspects such as rapid fire detection, high fire protection level rating and the need for protection from hazardous smoke must be taken into account when choosing materials in the context of a fire protection concept.
Especially in rolling stock – whether it is a locomotive, goods wagon or passenger car – there are any number of different fire risks. The highest vigilance is called for in particular when transporting passengers. If a fire breaks out in a sealed train, it can endanger a lot of lives very quickly. Fires can be started from a number of sources on board a railway vehicle: electrical equipment, heaters, engine compartments with diesel or electric motors, upholstered seats, sleeper compartments with inflammable bedding or the toilet cubicle, where passengers often snatch a secret cigarette, to name but a few.
Components must not further the spread of fire
People’s safety is paramount. It is crucial that the train can continue to be driven for a certain time even after the outbreak of a fire, for example to emerge from a tunnel and ensure the safe evacuation of passengers and personnel before firefighting commences. In general, only components that do not further the spread of fire may be used.
Complexity will also increase for manufacturers of rolling stock and for testing laboratories because the international railway world recognises a number of national fire protection regulations, which also have to be observed for cross-border trains: CEN TS 45545-2 and E DIN 5510-2 (Germany), NF F 16-101 (France) and UNI CEI 11170 (Italy) are just some examples. From 2013, the new fire protection standard EN 45545-2 will unify regulations within Europe with the aim of ensuring
improved safety for people and trains.
UNI Dicht cable glands provide a safe and reliable level of ‘integrity’
With metal cable glands, these fire protection requirements affect only the sealing inserts; with plastic cable glands, the requirements also affect the gland body. In every case, the use of self-extinguishing materials is mandatory.
Pflitsch cable glands, certified internationally by VDE, CSA and UL, have been subjected to the tests specified in the standards for fire behaviour and the glow wire test in accordance with EN 60695-2-11 for years.
As befits a leading manufacturer of high-quality cable glands, Pflitsch supplies products that fulfil the requirements of the new fire protection standard EN 45545-2. The accredited test laboratory Currenta, in Leverkusen, has tested the relevant materials and components.
The results (see panel) speak for themselves. The new Pflitsch material for sealing inserts meets the highest requirements, hazard level HL3, of the new EU standard for unrestricted use in trains – whether on open lengths of track, in tunnels or in stations. In accordance with the requirements, the results show oxygen index >32%, smoke density Ds max. 300 and toxicity CIT max. 1.5.
Various sizes of the whole UNI Dicht range of cable glands and blank plugs were fire-resistance tested for their ‘integrity’ characteristic. According to EN 45545-2, in the event of fire no flames shall escape over a 15-minute period of test (E15). In the tests, the Pflitsch sealing inserts achieved the very high fire-resistance class E30, retaining their seal for 30 minutes.
UNI Dicht components for rolling stock technology
UNI Dicht components approved for use in rolling stock technology applications can be recognised by the black sealing inserts. The article number has an additional ‘B’, which means it meets these fire protection requirements.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
T: +49 2192 911-0 E:
info@pflitsch.de W:
www.pflitsch.de
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