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Achieving Fire Safety in Railways
How to Protect Passengers Without Compromising Comfort
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November 2024
Key Facts at One Glance:
- Advanced Fire Safety Compliance in the Railway Industry: Angst+Pfister’s antivibration components meet the strict EN45545 fire protection standards, to ensure the rail passenger safety across Europe.
- Innovative Engineering for Passengers-Comfort: Through specially developed antivibration solutions Angst+Pfister enables smooth and quiet rides that enhance passenger comfort even at high speeds.
- Data-Driven Development and Customer-Collaboration: With a focus on testing, data-backed material selection, and close customer collaboration, Angst+Pfister provides durable, high-performance components that support both safety and efficiency in rail operations.
With data-driven development approach and advanced testing capabilities - from initial material assessments to extensive virtual and physical prototypes through to production - paired with close, transparent customer collaboration, Angst+Pfister drives effective solutions that support passenger comfort and safety in meeting the fire regulation EN45545.
The fire protection standard EN45545 plays a decisive role in the safety and reliability of rail vehicles. Since its introduction, it has evolved to meet increasing demands and is now mandatory across Europe, replacing a range of national standards. This standard impacts the entire railway industry supply chain involved in vehicle construction. It categorizes rail vehicle components into different R classes, each requiring compliance with one of three hazard levels, based on classification. The strictest criteria apply to components used in sleeping cars that operate in long tunnels with limited evacuation options.
The Challenge: Ensuring Passenger Comfort with Rigorous Fire Safety Standards
Vibration control technology is crucial in providing a comfortable travel experience. In the bogies, buffers and dampers reduce noise and vibration, allowing passengers to relax, work, or sleep peacefully - even as high-speed trains connect Europe’s cities. Achieving this balance requires advanced engineering and materials science to continuously improve the design and materials of these components. Beyond comfort, these components must also be durable and safe, complying with fire safety regulations that safeguard passengers.
Alstom’s M7 Rail Project: Exceeding Expectations Right from the Start
A prime example of balancing comfort, safety, and fire standards can be seen in Alstom’s M7 rail project. Since 2018, nearly 1,400 double-decker carriages have been in operation, providing modern mobility across Belgium. To ensure an ultra-smooth, vibration-free experience, these carriages rely on advanced antivibration and fluid components from Angst+Pfister. Specially developed for the M7, these components reduce vibrations from the transformer’s cooling system, enhancing both comfort and safety.
The challenge didn’t end there. In addition to meeting stringent fire protection criteria, the M7 project required a rapid development timeline - a demand Alstom set to keep the project on track. Angst+Pfister invested in the project early, even before securing the contract, running extensive tests to determine the mechanical performance limits of bearing supports.
This proactive approach, combined with high-quality data, earned the trust of Alstom, leading to additional orders for the M7 rail project, such as fluid systems, H-mounts for main transformers, and other antivibration solutions. Throughout, Angst+Pfister has remained committed to meeting tight deadlines.
Sophisticated Elastomer Formulations for Fire Safety
Rail vehicle manufacturers need components that deliver exceptional mechanical performance, ensure a long service life, and meet strict fire protection standards - a balance that is often likened to squaring the circle. However, when it comes to durability and safety, no compromises can be made. Meeting these demands requires deep material expertise, substantial experience, or extended development timelines (although lengthy development isn’t always feasible). Even with expertise, the relatively new fire safety standards can sometimes present knowledge gaps that only data-driven development can address.
Achieving the Impossible: Safety, Durability, and Compliance
Rail vehicle manufacturers need components that deliver exceptional mechanical performance, ensure a long service life, and meet strict fire protection standards - a balance that is often likened to squaring the circle. However, when it comes to durability and safety, no compromises can be made. Meeting these demands requires deep material expertise, substantial experience, or extended development timelines (although lengthy development isn’t always feasible). Even with expertise, the relatively new fire safety standards can sometimes present knowledge gaps that only data-driven development can address.
Leveraging Material Data for Rapid Development
To accelerate and optimize development, Angst+Pfister builds on an extensive database of pre-tested compounds, which includes fire- and smoke-retardant rubber materials evaluated for properties such as hardness, tensile strength, tear resistance, abrasion, and aging stability under extreme temperatures. This approach allows Angst+Pfister’s engineers to shorten project timelines by reducing design loops and optimizing material selection for each customer’s needs, further supported by simulations and testing data.
Fact-Based Development from Start to Finish
Angst+Pfister’s state-of-the-art testing facilities enable the company to assess both base materials and custom components. This robust testing and constant expansion of material knowledge allow engineers to create high-performance components that are competitive from design through to production. Every decision is backed by data and testing. Equally vital is the close, personalized collaboration with clients, allowing Angst+Pfister to meet the high expectations of leading rail industry players. These successes in the rail sector also serve as references for other industries, such as agriculture, where similar demands for durability, safety, and comfort apply.
Angst+Pfister’s commitment to innovation, rigorous testing, and customer collaboration is what sets it apart in the railway industry, making it a trusted partner for companies like Alstom and helping to create a safer, more comfortable journey for passengers across Europe.
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