Traction Rolling Stock - Indian Railways Institute of Electrical ...

9. SAFETY & FIRE PREVENTION
PRECAUTIONS
9.1 FIREFIGIITING APPLIANCES FOR ELECTRIC ROLLING STOCK
Every electric locomotive should be provided either with 2 number of 4 kg capacity or 4
numbers of 1.25 kg capacity Halon type fire extinguishers to IS 11108, one in each cab and
remaining in each corridor. The fire extinguishers shall be fixed on brackets at approved points in
the cabs and corridors. The ATFR on duty will be responsible for ensuring that the locos leave with
the full complement of fire extinguishers. Sufficient number of spare fire extinguishers should be
available with the ATFR to replace defective and damaged fire extinguishers.
In exceptional circumstances CEE may authorize change in complement and / or type of
the fire extinguishers.
On EMU, 2 number of 2.5 capacity Halon type fire extinguisher should be provided in
each of the cabins occupied by motorman and guard and also 1 number of Halon type
extinguisher of the same capacity should be provided in each motor-coach of EMU. As in the case
of other passenger trains, the Operating Department will be responsible for custody of the fire
extinguisher and their issue to the guard at the originating station of each EMU rake.
All the staff of electrical department connected with the running and operation of trains
should be duly trained for fire fighting and use of fire extinguishers within the locos and EMUs.
9.2 FIRE PREVENTION IN ELECTRIC LOCO
RDSO has issued detailed guidelines for prevention of fire on electric locomotives vide
document No.E-21/08/93 issued in June 1993.Important maintenance practices to be followed are
given below:
9.2.1 The presence of a large quantity of oil in the transformers and tap changers of electric
locos and EMUs makes it possible for even minor fires to spread and assume serious proportion.
Spillage of oil from exhausters and compressors results in accumulation of oil on the loco flooring
causing spread of fires. An essential step in prevention of fires in locos in therefore, to control the
leakage of oil from exhausters, compressors and pipeline and to arrange periodic cleaning of the
locos to remove accumulated oil. Always use funnel of proper shape for topping of oil to prevent
spillage.
9.2.2 The arcing horns of contactors should be properly attended to during inspection. The
arc-chute should be properly secured and the securing arrangement periodically checked. The
arc-chute should also be cleaned during inspections.
9.2.3 In addition to periodic cleaning of the bogies and under frame to remove oily dust, it is
also important that rheostic and regenerative braking, where provided, is kept in working order and
drivers trained to make use of these on graded sections, obviating the need for heavy mechanical
braking as far as possible thus preventing spark from brake blocks.
9.2.4 Rating of the fuses particularly of low voltage dc circuits are to be checked periodically