Railway fire engineering
Expert knowledge of fire engineering principles across the rail domain to help manufacturers meet international standards and regulations.
With most territories usually applying their own unique fire safety standards across their rail networks, our teams closely monitor the specific requirements to help rolling stock manufacturers throughout the design and manufacturing process.
Drawing on their extesive experience of best practices across a variety of railway operating environments, our experts can help guide the development of pragmatic fire engineering techniques that not only meet relevant regulatory requirements but are cost effective and sufficient for the functional requirements of the railway.
Projects
Hitachi Intercity Express - Systems Engineering
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Eglinton Light Rail System
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Manila Line 4 Shadow Operations Consultant
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Specialist activities we can support include:
- Development of Fire Engineering and Safety Strategy
- Fire resistance design
- Evacuation strategy and demonstration
- Development of schedules and justification for combustible materials
- Small, medium and full scale fire testing of rail cars and materials
- Fire Engineering Plans (FEP)
- Fire detection and suppression
- Running capability and essential function fire protection
- Incident investigation
- Fire Safety Case production
- Bespoke training on fire regulation or safety practices
- CFD modelling of rail car fires
- Power output predictions
- Fire load and fire power calculations for material selections based on small scale testing and “Duggan” calculation methods
- Compliance justification for EN 45545, NFPA 130 and local fire safety standards/codes
- Third-party independent review of fire documentation
Choosing Ricardo as your technical partner
Global perspectives
Our international network of offices and technical centres supports the transfer of skills and experience from one region of the world to the next.
Whole-system mindset
We will help your teams apply systematic processes so that your engineering projects deliver a positive contribution to the wider rail system.
Collaborative approach
We add value by working alongside your teams in an open and constructive partnership, offering balanced and insightful perspectives on the bigger picture.
An industry voice
Our experts are leading contributors to the international committees, working groups and professional forums that define the rail industry’s technical standards.
Railway fire engineering Resources