In the railway transportation departments of Western Europe, the United States and other countries, the test methods and classification standards for the flame retardant properties of materials and products used vary from country to country, which is caused by the differences in the history and experience background of each country in fire safety.
The new standard EN 45545-2:2013 is somewhat different from the previous coordination standard PrCEN TS 45545-2. This new rail transit fire protection standard comprehensively considers and combines the current major European rail fire protection standards (British standard BS 6853, German standard DIN 5510-2, French standard NFF16-101, Italian standard UNICEI11170-3), etc., and is expected to become a unified and universal rail vehicle fire protection standard for European countries in the future.
EN 45545-2 is one of the most important cable railway standards in Europe, used to ensure the flame retardancy and fire resistance of rail transit vehicle materials. This standard is part of the entire EN 45545 standard series, which aims to improve the safety of railway transportation, especially for fire risks. TST cables products can pass the EN 45545-2 test standard, so what are the requirements of this standard for cable manufacturers and cable product quality? Let’s take a look.
EN 45545-2 cable railway Standard Introduction
EN 45545-2 focuses on the fire performance requirements of materials and components and their test methods. This standard is designed to apply to all types of rail vehicles, including but not limited to subways, light rails, trams and high-speed trains.
EN 45545-2 EU Rail Vehicle Material Flame Retardant Fire Test-Standard Introduction:
European Railway officially released EN 45545-2 on March 8, 2013, and has developed into the railway vehicle fire safety specification for the International Railway Union and European countries.
EN 45545-2, the latest EU rail vehicle flame retardant fire test standard, is somewhat different from the previous coordination standard PrCEN TS 45545-2.
Test objectives
Reduce the risk of fire.
Once a fire occurs, reduce the speed of flame spread.
Reduce the amount of smoke and toxic gases produced.
Provide clear test procedures and evaluation criteria.
EN 45545-2 cable railway Scope
The main purpose of EN 45545-2 is to develop rules related to material selection based on material combustion performance, heat release, smoke density and smoke toxicity.
Material classification: Materials are divided into different grades according to their combustion characteristics.
Test methods: A series of test methods are defined to evaluate the flame retardancy and fire resistance of materials.
Requirement level: Different requirement levels (HLr1 to HLr4 and HLO) are set according to different parts of the vehicle (such as the interior, exterior, electrical equipment, etc.).
Test requirement levels (HLr1, HLr4, HLO)
EN 45545-2 defines different requirement levels, which are set according to different parts of the vehicle and their importance to passenger safety. The requirement levels range from HLr1 to HLr4, and an additional requirement level HLO, representing different safety levels. For example:
HLr1: The lowest requirement level, usually applied to areas where people do not stay frequently.
HLr4: The highest requirement level, suitable for areas with dense crowds and difficult evacuation, such as the interior of the vehicle.
HLO: Specific to some low-risk applications, such as outdoor use or non-passenger contact areas.
EN 45545-2 Test methods for railway cables
Horizontal burning test (HB): Evaluates the burning performance of materials when placed horizontally.
Vertical burning test (VB): Measures the burning performance of materials in a vertical position.
Heat release rate (HRR): Determines the rate at which heat is generated when a material burns.
Smoke density test (SDR): Evaluates the density of smoke generated when a material burns.
Toxicity Test (TR): Evaluate the toxicity of gases produced when the material burns.
EN 45545-2 cable railway Application
Select appropriate materials during the design phase.
Ensure quality control during manufacturing.
Verify the compliance of the final product.
EN 45545-2 cable railway Implementation Steps
Material Selection: Select appropriate materials based on the application environment and required level.
Sample Preparation: Prepare test samples in accordance with the standard.
Laboratory Testing: Perform the above-mentioned test methods to evaluate material performance.
Evaluation Results: Determine whether the material meets the specified safety requirements based on the test results.
Declaration of Compliance: The manufacturer must provide a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) to prove that the product has passed the corresponding test.
EN 45545-2 cable railway Test Implementation Details
EN 45545-2 The latest EU rail vehicle material flame retardant fire test-main material classification and test methods.
| Item | Product purpose | Test content | Test method standard |
| EN45545-2 R15/R16 | Railway Wires and cables | Cable single burning test | EN 60332-1-2 |
| Cable bundle burning test | EN 60332-3-24 | ||
| Smoke toxicity test | EN 50305 | ||
| Smoke density test | EN 61034-2 | ||
| Smoke toxicity test ITC | EN 50305 ITC |
EN 45545-2 The latest flame retardant fire test of rail vehicle materials in the European Union – related reference standards
-ISO 5658-2 Flame extension test
-ISO 5660-1 Heat release test
-ISO 5659-2Ds smoke density test
-ISO 5659-2VOF smoke density test
-ISO 5659-2 CIT smoke toxicity test
-EN ISO 11925-2 Small flame test
-EN ISO 12952-2 Open flame combustion test
-EN 60332-1-2 Single cable combustion test
-EN 60332-3-24 Cable bundle combustion test
-EN 50305 Smoke toxicity test
-EN ISO 4589-2 Oxygen index determination
-NF X70-100-1 & 2 Smoke toxicity test
-ENISO4589-2 Oxygen index test
-EN60695-2-11 Glow wire test
-EN 60695-11-10 Vertical burning test
-EN ISO 9239-1 Floor coverings. Radiant heat source method
-ISO 2592 Determination of flash and fire points
-ISO 2719 Petroleum products. Determination of flash point
-ISO/TR9705-2 Large chamber test for surface products
Test result evaluation
Each test has specific evaluation criteria, for example:
The HB test may require that the material cannot burn more than a certain distance in a given time.
The VB test may require that the material cannot drip burning material.
The HRR test may require that the heat released by the material during combustion does not exceed a certain threshold.
The SDR test may require that the smoke density is below a certain value.
The TR test may involve the restriction of specific hazardous substances in the combustion products.
Implementation process
Design phase: The selection of materials needs to be considered during the design phase to ensure that they can meet the requirements of EN 45545-2.
Material selection and verification: Select materials that meet the requirements and verify them through laboratory testing.
Production process control: The quality of materials is continuously monitored during the production process to ensure that it always meets the standards.
Finished product testing: After the production is completed, the finished product is subjected to necessary tests to confirm its compliance.
Declaration of Conformity: If the product passes all necessary tests, the manufacturer needs to issue a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) indicating that the product has complied with the requirements of EN 45545-2.
Final certification
Once all necessary tests have been completed and the requirements of EN 45545-2 have been met, the manufacturer can obtain certification, which is usually carried out by a third-party certification body. The certification process may include:
Document review, factory inspection, and continuous supervision.
EN 45545-2 is a comprehensive standard that covers the entire process from material selection to the final product. By following this standard, cable railway manufacturers can ensure the safety of rail transit vehicles and provide the highest level of protection for passengers. In addition, as technology advances, these standards will continue to be updated to adapt to new challenges and needs.
Cooperate with TST cables, China’s leading custom cable manufacturer, to customize cable railway solutions
At TST cables, we know that every journey carries the expectations of countless families. To this end, we are committed to developing the safest and most reliable rail transit material solutions to ensure that every trip is safe and secure. Our products strictly follow European standards EN 45545-2 cable, EN50264 cable, EN50306 cable, EN50382 cable and other international, regional and industry standards. After a series of rigorous tests and evaluations, they ensure that they can maintain excellent flame retardancy and fire resistance even under extreme conditions.
From carefully selected raw materials to sophisticated manufacturing processes, TST cables pursues perfection in every link. Whether it is horizontal or vertical burning tests, whether it is heat release rate or smoke density tests, our products perform well, meeting or even exceeding the requirements of the highest industry standards. More importantly, we deeply understand the mission behind each material – to protect the lives of passengers.
We look forward to working with you to create a safer, more efficient and smarter future for rail transportation, so that every trip becomes the best memory in life.
If you have any needs for customized railway cable,LSOH cable, need further technical support or customized cable solutions, you can always send an email to the professional cable engineer of TST cable manufacturer (email: lixiangchao@testeck.com, please state your country, your industry, and your needs in the email).
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