EN 45545-3 Fire Protection in Railway Vehicles - Part 3: Fire Resistance Requirements for Fire Barriers

The European standard "EN 45545-3 Railway applications - Fire protection in railway vehicles - Part 3: Fire resistance requirements for fire barriers" describes the fire resistance requirements and test methods for fire barriers in railway vehicles. The measures and requirements specified in this standard are intended to protect passengers and personnel on railway vehicles in the event of a fire on board.

The use of a fire prevention and control system as an alternative to a fire barrier, where permitted, is outside the scope of this standard. It is outside the scope of this standard to describe measures to protect railway vehicles in the event of fire.

The EN 45545-3 standard was developed from the International Union of Railways (UIC) and existing fire safety regulations for railway vehicles in various European countries. While using the operational and design categories defined in EN 45545-1, the requirements specified in this standard take into account the current operating conditions of the European public transport system.

According to this standard, railway vehicles must be equipped with fire barriers in the locations specified in the table given in the standard.

The use of the parameters given in this standard should comply with the principles described in the integrity criterion E, insulation criterion I and radiation criterion W of the standard “EN 13501-2 Fire classification of construction products and building elements - Part 2: Classification using data from fire resistance tests, excluding ventilation services”.

Fire barriers must have fire resistance properties verified by:

• A fire resistance test based on the principles of the standard “EN 1363-1 Fire resistance tests - Part 1: General requirements”
• Evaluation based on fire resistance test.

Fire barriers must have performance based on the three parameters (E, W, I) specified in the table. For example, E30, I15 means that integrity is maintained for 30 minutes and insulation is maintained for 15 minutes.

Type A arc barriers complying with EN 45545-5 must meet the E15 fire barrier requirements.

Type B arc barriers complying with EN 45545-5 must meet the E60 fire barrier requirements.

The requirements in the EN 45545-3 standard are determined as follows:

• The requirements for fire barriers depend on their operating category and their location on the railway vehicle.
• Fire barriers should be placed as specified in the table. Examples of barriers in the table are described in the standard appendix (Annex B) and in the figures provided within the standard.
• All vertical fire barriers within a railway vehicle's cross-section must cover the entire area between the structural floor and the structural roof. In this context, the center floor of a double-deck vehicle should be considered the floor for the upper floor and the roof for the lower floor. When a vertical barrier reaches the side wall, it should extend to the body shell.
• Closing devices for ventilation ducts must comply with the following requirements:
  • When a ventilation duct passes through a fire barrier, the duct must have a shut-off device where it passes through the barrier, but the entire duct must meet the same level of fire resistance requirements as the barrier:
    • The entire length
    • The length to the next fire barrier, the next closing device or the outside of the vehicle
  • Closure devices must meet the same fire resistance requirements as fire barriers.
  • Shut-off devices must operate in response to fire.
• Penetrations through fire barriers, for example for ducts or cables, must not reduce the fire resistance of the barrier.

In short, EN 45545-3 is a critical component of the EN 45545 series, a series of European standards focused on improving fire safety in railway vehicles. This standard outlines fire resistance requirements and test methods specifically for fire barriers used in railway vehicles, ensuring the safety of passengers and personnel by delaying the spread of fire and facilitating safe evacuation.

The EN 45545 series, which has become mandatory across Europe, replaces various national fire safety standards to create a unified approach to fire protection in railway vehicles. EN 45545-3 focuses on fire barriers, which are essential for compartmentalizing railway vehicles to prevent the spread of fire, heat, and toxic gases. This standard is implemented within the scope of Directive (EU) 1302/2014 on the Technical Specification for Interoperability in the Locomotives and Coaches Subsystem of the Railway System in the European Union, which prioritizes the protection of life and property over the protection of the vehicle itself.

The EN 45545-3 standard applies to fire barriers in railway vehicles, including high-speed trains, regional trains, trams, metros, and double-decker trains. These barriers are structural components designed to maintain integrity and insulation during a fire, allowing passengers and personnel sufficient time to evacuate safely. This standard does not cover measures to protect the vehicle itself, but focuses on enabling effective rescue and evacuation.

This standard specifies the following requirements:

• Fire resistance: The ability of fire barriers to withstand exposure to fire without allowing flame, heat, or gases to penetrate.
• Test conditions: Standardized methods for evaluating fire barrier performance.
• Compatibility: To ensure that barriers meet certain integrity (E) and insulation (I) criteria and, in some cases, radiation (W) requirements for specific installation situations.

Fire barriers must undergo rigorous testing according to standard EN 1363-1 that evaluates:

• Integrity (E): The barrier's ability to prevent the passage of flames and hot gases.
• Insulation (I): The barrier's capacity to limit the temperature increase on the unexposed side, protecting occupants from heat.
• Radiation (W) (where applicable): Limiting the heat radiation passing through the barrier to prevent ignition on the unexposed side.

Tests are conducted in both vertical and horizontal orientations, simulating real-world conditions. For example, barriers may be required to maintain their integrity for up to 60 minutes, depending on the hazard level and installation scenario.

The EN 45545-3 standard outlines ten specific fire protection installation situations, each with specific integrity (E), insulation (I), and radiation (W) requirements. These situations account for different locations within the vehicle, such as cable or pipe penetrations through fire barriers, which could otherwise act as weak points that could allow fire or smoke to spread.

This standard divides railway vehicles into hazard levels based on operational factors:

• HL1: Lowest risk, generally for vehicles with easy evacuation options.
• HL2: Medium risk, e.g. for trains operating in tunnels over short distances.
• HL3: Highest risk, for example for vehicles with sleeping compartments or operating in long tunnels.

Fire barriers must meet performance criteria corresponding to the hazard level of the vehicle.

The EN 45545-3 standard ensures that fire barriers, including insulation solutions for cables, pipes and ducts, maintain their protective function under fire conditions.

To comply with the EN 45545-3 standard, fire barriers are tested in advanced, accredited laboratories under controlled conditions. Certification provides confidence to manufacturers and operators by ensuring that fire barriers meet the required safety standards.

The EN 45545-3 standard plays a vital role in improving passenger and personnel safety:

• Delaying fire spread: Fire barriers slow the spread of flames and heat by compartmentalizing the vehicle, allowing more time for evacuation.
• Reducing smoke penetration: Effective barriers limit smoke movement, reducing the risk of smoke inhalation, a major hazard in fires.
• Ensuring evacuation: Barriers maintain structural integrity, ensuring escape routes remain accessible during a fire.
• Harmonization of standards: This standard replaces outdated national regulations, promoting consistency across Europe and facilitating interoperability.

Consequently, the EN 45545-3 standard is the cornerstone of fire safety in the rail industry, ensuring that fire barriers on rail vehicles provide robust protection against the spread of fire, heat, and smoke. By establishing stringent requirements and standardized test methods, it enhances passenger and personnel safety, ensures compliance with European regulations, and promotes interoperability across the rail network.

Our organization, which has been providing services for many years and meticulously following global developments in science and technology, employs a skilled team and extensive infrastructure to conduct testing, measurement, and analysis in a wide range of areas for businesses across all sectors. In this context, we also provide testing services in accordance with the standard "EN 45545-3 Railway Applications - Fire Protection in Railway Vehicles - Part 3: Fire Resistance Requirements for Fire Barriers."