The EN 45545 standard is a significant development in the rolling stock industry to meet and harmonize fire safety across Europe. Historically, European countries have had different systems and production processes for rolling stock.
Fires on trains have started due to failure of braking systems and electrical systems, and there were multiple methods for how to assess risk of fire onboard rolling stock. With the EN 45545 standard, manufacturers, operators, partners and suppliers must adapt to be sure that passenger safety is guaranteed. The work which led up to the release of the EN 45545 standard in 2013 continued for more than two decades and the standard is today mandatory for all industry players selling and operating rolling stock in the European market. In the US and internationally, rolling stock has since 1983 been subject to NFPA 130, an international fire safety standard for fixed guideway and transit systems.
EN 45545-2 and EN 45545-3
Parts 2 and 3 of the EN 45545 standard (fire protection on railway vehicles) apply to Roxtec.
- EN 45545-2, requirements for fire behavior of materials and components
- EN 45545-3, fire resistance requirements for fire barriers
Roxtec has worked with the rolling stock industry for more than 20 years and has developed materials and products that meet and exceed the requirements in the EN 45545 and NFPA 130 standards. Through a dedicated material laboratory, a state-of-the-art fire laboratory built in 2019, and collaboration with various fire labs and institutes across Europe, Roxtec supports customer projects with robust, reliable and safe sealing solutions for cables, pipes and plastic conduits. Integrity tests up to 60 min in both vertical and horizontal position, and material tests against flammability, smoke density and toxicity up to Hazard Level 3 safeguard onboard passenger safety. Roxtec products can therefore be used to seal fire barriers and retain cables and plastic conduits on any rolling stock operating in any condition for any design category.
Shock and vibration resistance
Due to the nature of rail transportation, rolling stock is continuously exposed to shock and vibrations which over time can lead to cable wear and eventually mechanical and electrical failure. To gain assurance that cables and transits will meet the life expectancy of the rolling stock, the international standard IEC 61373 regulates the test procedure to simulate the service conditions seen throughout its expected life. Roxtec products are proven suitable for all locations on the railway vehicle from roof-top to bogie, which makes them extremely versatile in terms of usage. In addition, selected products are tested to withstand UV radiation at +40 ⁰C for 72 hours followed by ingress protection (IP) testing according to IEC 60068-2-5 to replicate the conditions on the train roof and ensure continuous tightness.
Welding process
Given the abundant level of welding works across a railway vehicle, the EN 15085 quality control and inspection standard regulates the production process as well as the documentation needs for rolling stock manufacturers. Roxtec products are produced in accordance with an agreed certification level and performance class.
Use this guide to select the right Roxtec seals that correspond to your needs when it comes to preventing fire and smoke from spreading on rolling stock and other e-mobility solutions.
