Interpretation of the latest EU fire protection design standard EN 45545-4:2024 for railway vehicles

The latest EU fire protection design standard EN 45545-4:2024 is interpreted to improve the fire safety level of railway vehicles. In March 2024, european committee for standardization (CEN) issued the latest version of the standard EN 45545-4:2024. This standard is an important part of the series of fire safety standards for railway vehicles, focusing on the fire safety requirements of vehicle design.

In this paper, the core requirements of this important standard will be interpreted in detail by combining the contents of EU standards and China specifications.

一、Scope of application EN 45545-4:2024 is applicable to the design and manufacture of all passenger railway vehicles operating within the European Union, including: locomotives, multiple units, passenger car cabs, dining cars, sleeping cars, luggage car interior equipment, layout, materials and emergency systems. This standard aims to minimize the fire risk and ensure the safety of passengers and staff through design measures.

二、Key points of core fire protection design

1. Fire prevention requirements for materials and structures: Fire prevention performance of materials and components used in vehicles must meet the requirements of EN 45545-2:2020. Fire-proof partition: The fire-proof partition of vehicles shall meet the fire resistance rating (such as EIS grade) specified in EN 45545-3:2024. Restricted access area: the driver's cab, crew area, equipment cabinets, access doors, luggage compartments, etc. must be locked or physically isolated to prevent unauthorized access.

2. Visibility and cleanness Design Visibility of passenger area: Except toilets and sleeping berths, the passenger area should be kept transparent for monitoring. If a fire detection system conforming to EN 45545-6 is installed, it can be exempted. Baggage storage: overhead luggage rack items should be visible from below; Large luggage racks are prohibited for Class 4 operating vehicles; The middle luggage area should be completely closed or provided with fire isolation. Cleanliness: the vehicle structure should avoid dead corners and prevent the accumulation of combustible materials (such as garbage, oil pollution and dust). Seats, ventilation systems, heaters, etc. should be easy to clean and maintain.

3. Surface temperature limit of heating equipment and temperature control: the surface temperature of equipment in passenger area and employee area is ≤ 60 C (except catering equipment); Lighting diffuser/housing surface temperature ≤ 50 C. Heater design: anti-foreign body insertion and easy cleaning; The air outlet is not easy to accumulate dust; The hot air outlet is not blocked. Spark protection: The pantograph, brake pad and other spark sources should keep a safe distance from combustible materials or be equipped with shielding.

4. Emergency equipment and container trash can: metal or incombustible materials shall be used, and equipped with self-closing cover or fire extinguishing structure. Ashtray: It must be provided in smoking-permitted areas and can prevent internal fire from spreading. (Containers made of materials conforming to EN 45545-3:2024 with a fire resistance rating of at least E10 shall be used, and these containers shall be equipped with self-closing covers or have fire extinguishing structures.)

三、Design of evacuation and escape system

1. Number and location of emergency exits: guest room area: at least one exit on each side; At least 2 exits on each side when carrying more than 40 passengers; The longest escape distance is ≤ 16m (dining car) or 6m (other areas).

Cab area For vehicles with operation categories 2, 3 and 4 defined in EN45545-1 and restricted by EU Directive 2016/797/EU, there should be at least one exit on each side of the cab: from the cab to the outside of the railway vehicle, there should be at least one emergency exit on each side (left and right). This exit can be one of the following three forms: an external door as an emergency exit; Emergency window exit; Emergency hatch. This means that the driver's cab does not have to have an external door directly, but it can also be used as an escape exit size requirement through facilities that can quickly break windows or open the hatch cover: passenger emergency exit: ≥ 700 mm× 550 mm; Cab exit: ≥ 0.2m, with a minimum inner diameter of 400mm.

2. The evacuation passage and the door are designed to be unblocked: there are no obstacles in the evacuation passage, and the hinged passenger door across the corridor should be able to be opened in both directions, and the width of the corridor should be ≤ 100 mm.

Door control requirements: all emergency doors must be able to be opened from the inside without a key; The door between the cab and the passenger compartment should be able to be unlocked from the passenger compartment side in case of emergency.

3. The height of escape AIDS exceeds 1.2m: portable ladders, swinging ladders, ramps, slideways and other equipment shall be provided. Height over 1.8m: Additional evacuation aids must be provided. Emergency window/hatch: window breaking tools should be equipped with clear instructions. Note: "Height" is the nominal height between the rail surface and the lowest point that passengers can reach from the door in the carriage.

4. Emergency lighting and sign lighting: comply with EN 13272-1/2, and ensure adequate lighting at evacuation passages and exits. Signs: It conforms to ISO 3864-1, and all emergency equipment, exits and alarm devices shall be clearly marked. Note: The European standard for lighting and signs is different from the national standard, so attention should be paid to the implementation of domestic projects.

四、System function and compliance require operational capability: after a fire, the vehicle should be able to maintain its operation to a safe area (EN 50553). Emergency broadcast: comply with EN 45545-6, and ensure that the instructions are clearly conveyed. Conformity evaluation: it is necessary to pass type inspection and ex-factory inspection to ensure that all designs meet the requirements of EN 45545-1:2013.

五、It is concluded that EN 45545-4:2024 is a comprehensive, systematic and rigorous fire protection design standard for railway vehicles. Its core lies in: prevention first: minimizing fire risk through material, structure and layout design; Auxiliary evacuation: ensure that people can evacuate quickly and safely in an emergency; System compatibility: highly consistent with the European Union Railway Interoperability Directive (EU 2016/797) and TSI.

European fire protection standards are deeply embedded in the overall railway management system of the European Union (such as TSI), and its specific application in non-EU countries needs to be identified and discussed in combination with the regulations and operating environment of the country.

* Photo source: Xiaota Consulting

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