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Here - Polyurethanes - Bayer

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Guide To <strong>Polyurethanes</strong><br />

Fire protection standards (part 2)<br />

RAILWAY VEHICLES<br />

A variety of national fire protection standards for railway vehicles is in force across<br />

Europe (see table for examples). These have developed as a result of differing historical<br />

experiences, evolving concepts of protection and different vehicle designs. Different<br />

countries still use different types of track. This is a reflection of their geography and degree<br />

of urbanization. The passenger evacuation conditions where railway routes feature<br />

large numbers of tunnels or bridges differ from those running across wide open spaces.<br />

Because of these differences, individual countries have different ways of assessing the<br />

various fire risks.<br />

These risks can best be explored from the<br />

point of view of the passenger. When a fire<br />

breaks out on a train, passengers may be<br />

endangered in a variety of ways.<br />

It may be difficult for them to escape or be<br />

rescued if the fire spreads rapidly and there is<br />

a lot of smoke. Smoke gases can have a toxic<br />

effect. In the worst-case scenario, heat may<br />

cause flammable gases to vaporize and collect<br />

under the roof of the train. This gas can spontaneously<br />

ignite in what is known as a “flashover”,<br />

spreading the fire to other parts of the<br />

train.<br />

Different countries use different fire testing<br />

procedures to assess these potential risks.<br />

Our assessment shows that different countries<br />

have independently identified similar types of<br />

risk. In general, flammability, flame spread<br />

patterns and smoke gas density are assessed.<br />

Some testing procedures also assess heat<br />

development and the toxic potential of smoke<br />

gases.<br />

The testing methods used vary widely.<br />

In France and Spain, for example, flame spread<br />

patterns are assessed by looking at the effect<br />

of heat radiation on materials using the<br />

Epiradiateur test. In Germany, on the other<br />

hand, the materials are subjected to a direct<br />

flame in a large test chamber in accordance<br />

with DIN standard 54837 (see photo).<br />

Fire protection standards specify which of the<br />

aforementioned tests a material must pass<br />

and what performance criteria apply to it.<br />

They take account of where a component will<br />

be installed in the vehicle and how large it is.<br />

Additional requirements are also set out for<br />

specific parts such as electrical encapsulation<br />

components.<br />

Based on the fire protection categories of the<br />

vehicle, different material requirements may<br />

be applied to reflect different levels of risk<br />

associated with ease of escape from the vehicle<br />

in question.<br />

For example, passengers can escape more<br />

quickly from a streetcar than they can from<br />

a high-speed train or a vehicle that passes<br />

through tunnels. In Germany, all these factors<br />

are taken into account by fire protection standard<br />

DIN 5510. This standard covers all finished<br />

components and divides trains into four fire<br />

protection categories.<br />

Test results are translated into classes based<br />

on one or more criteria. In Germany, materials<br />

are classified according to three criteria:<br />

A Flammability Class (S1 to S5), a Smoke Development<br />

Class (“SR1 not achieved”, “SR 1” or<br />

“SR2”) and a Drip Class (ST1 or ST2). The fire<br />

protection standard determines the classification<br />

of a material, which in turn governs<br />

the applications for which it can be used. The<br />

This information and our technical advice – whether verbal‚ in writing or by way of trials – are given in good faith but without warranty‚ and this also<br />

applies where proprietary rights of third parties are involved. Our advice does not release you from the obligation to verify the information currently<br />

provided – especially that contained in our safety data and technical information sheets – and to test our products as to their suitability for the intended<br />

processes and uses. The application‚ use and processing of our products and the products manufactured by you on the basis of our technical advice<br />

are beyond our control and‚ therefore‚ entirely your own responsibility. Our products are sold in accordance with the current version of our General<br />

Conditions of Sale and Delivery.<br />

Bestell-Nr.: MS 006045, Printed in Germany KL<br />

<strong>Bayer</strong> MaterialScience AG<br />

51368 Leverkusen, Germany<br />

www.bayermaterialscience.com<br />

Baydur 60 FRS in a DIN 54837 testing chamber<br />

standard lists the class ratings which must be<br />

fulfilled for specific applications.<br />

In an effort to ensure uniform assessment of<br />

materials throughout the European Union,<br />

standard EN 45545 “Fire protection on railway<br />

vehicles” has been drafted.<br />

Objections to Part 2 of this draft standard are<br />

currently being filed, and will be assessed soon.<br />

Part 2 deals with the issue of assessing the<br />

fire behavior of materials and components,<br />

and will probably set out four main tests.<br />

These will involve determining the amount of<br />

heat released, the flame spread, the smoke<br />

gas density and the toxicity of the combustion<br />

gases.<br />

Fire protection standard<br />

DIN 5510 1)<br />

AFNOR NF F 16-101<br />

DT-PCI/5A<br />

BS 6853<br />

UNIFER E 10.02.977.3<br />

prEN 45455<br />

Country<br />

Germany<br />

France<br />

Spain<br />

United Kingdom<br />

Italy<br />

European Union<br />

1) also applies in Austria, Switzerland and China<br />

Contact:<br />

Dr. Stephan Schleiermacher<br />

<strong>Polyurethanes</strong> Business Unit<br />

Tel.: ++ 49 214 30 - 3 94 95<br />

stephan.schleiermacher@bayerbms.com<br />

If you have any questions or suggestions,<br />

please contact:<br />

Martin Sixsmith<br />

Tel. +44 1635 563 811<br />

Fax +44 1635 563 272<br />

ukqueries@bayermaterialscience.com

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