The new fire safety standard set to change the rail industry – EN 45545
Uncategorised
November 21, 2017
When times change, it pays to work with good suppliers. During 2018, the fire standard EN 45545-2 will become the mandatory fire safety standard for the rail industry. For manufactures and engineers, that means preparing well in advance to make sure their components are compliant with the new regulations. Working...
When times change, it pays to work with good suppliers. During 2018, the fire standard EN 45545-2 will become the mandatory fire safety standard for the rail industry. For manufactures and engineers, that means preparing well in advance to make sure their components are compliant with the new regulations. Working with an excellent supplier, one that’s ahead of the game with its technology and materials, takes the pressure off designers and lets them focus on what they do best.
At the start of next year, the European standard will replace all of the old national standards from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Poland. While providing far greater safety assurances to passengers around the continent, the regulations also provide new challenges and opportunities to manufacturers as they continue to improve technology while adhering to the latest safety standards.
A unified step towards safety
Fire safety is an incredibly important facet of railway manufacture and design, and EN 45545-2 is the culmination of 20 years’ worth of research and testing. Its key areas identify what factors are important for adequate fire safety, including:
- Fire spread
- Ignitability
- Heat Release
- Smoke emission
- Toxic emission
The latter are especially important considerations given their history. In 1987 and 2003, fire tragedies at King’s Cross and South Korean Daegu subway respectively caused the deaths of hundreds. Among these, the most common cause of death was exposure to toxic fumes. It is exactly these kinds of events that fuel the drive towards greater safety, and materials that minimise smoke and toxic emissions when they burn are therefore essential to compliance with the new safety standard.
Innovative new material for EN 45545 compliance
With the standard in mind, CB Frost’s new material aims to step up to the new challenges. CBF SIL-VO is a lightweight silicone sponge, ideal for HVAC and electrical enclosures, LCD display gaskets, anti-vibration strips/seals or as a gap filler. As well as being EN45545-2 compliant, the material boasts a fully closed cell, meaning it’s resistant to water, moisture and dust.
The introduction of the new material optimises CB Frost’s commitment to innovation. For manufacturers that want peace of mind that their supplier is on top of the industry’s shifting sands, they can be safe in the knowledge that CB Frost always work to the latest regulations.
Get more information on SIL-VO by downloading the flyer or requesting a printed version and sample using the form below. Find out what other innovative ways CB Frost supply the rail industry.
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