Application Rail - Nobel Fire Systems

Trains can be powered by diesel, diesel-electric, or electric motors. Nobel has many years of experience of providing fire suppression to the Rail industry – please see our various case studies for more information, including Eurostar train power cars and even underground locomotives that are used to maintain the Paris sewage system.

The Fire Risk

There are a variety of fire risks in rolling stock engine compartments. Diesel-electric engine compartments have the obvious threat from the diesel engine. Fuel leaks contacting a hot exhaust manifold are a common source of fire on any diesel engine. Once the diesel engine’s horsepower is safely converted to electricity, the fire threat remains. The electrical powering components of an electric train are similar to that of a diesel-electric train. High voltage currents, inverters, wiring, switchgears, and the electric motors themselves are all potential sources of fire.

As one can imagine, a fire onboard a moving train presents a serious problem. There is always a crew on board, and they are in jeopardy because escape is hindered by the stopping distance of the train. In the case of a passenger train, the life safety risk is greatly multiplied.

If a train loses motive power due to a fire, it may not be able to reach a safe location to offload crew / passengers. Worse still, an engine compartment fire can extend to the electric braking components and affect its ability to stop. A burning train with brake failure presents a huge danger not only to those on board, but also the general public in proximity to the train tracks.

Coupled with the life safety risk, there is also substantial exposure to loss in regard to the locomotive itself. A free-burning fire in the engine compartment can spread to other systems causing expensive damage. And lastly, apart from potential life risks and the cost of replacing a locomotive, lost revenue due to downtime can be crippling.

Recommended Products: Stat-X (train power car and various electrical risks), Foam (diesel engine compartment / diesel generator/alternator systems), Dry Chemical Powder (locomotive cooling system)

At Nobel Fire Systems, our experience in providing fire suppression solutions to the rail industry covers a variety of applications, from high-speed passenger trains to industrial locomotives. We invite you to explore our detailed case studies below to see how we’ve successfully addressed fire risks in some of the most challenging environments.

Eurostar Case Study
Learn about how we provided Stat-X condensed aerosol systems for Eurostar’s high-speed trains, safeguarding power compartments and meeting strict safety regulations while also complying with environmental standards.
Brush Traction/Wabtec Case Study
Explore our fire suppression solutions tailored for diesel-electric trains at Brush Traction, where we implemented systems to manage both diesel engine and electrical risks.
Clayton Engineering Case Study
Discover how we worked with Clayton Engineering to protect underground locomotives used in the Paris sewage system. We implemented a combination of condensed aerosol and dry chemical systems to ensure safety in challenging underground environments.
Viva Rail Case Study
See how our foam-based fire suppression system was used for generator sets in Viva Rail’s converted diesel rafts, ensuring rapid fire control. in confined spaces.

Each case study provides insight into how we develop tailored fire suppression systems for the rail sector, ensuring safety, reliability, and compliance with the most stringent industry standards. Click through to find out more.

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Recommended Products

Stat-X (Train power car and various electrical risks)

Stat-X is an innovative, self-contained, environmentally friendly suppression system, proven to be extremely effective in use across a wide range of applications and is especially effective where there is a need to protect critical areas and high value enclosures.

Foam (Diesel engine compartment / diesel generator/alternator systems)

These systems can use the full range of fire fighting foams and utilise low pressure (4-14 bar) mist technology nozzles. The risk dictates the suppression medium, type and quantity of nozzles used, their position and flow rates. Correct selection of the fire detection system, integration to controls and shut downs enables fast management and control of the fire scenario.

Dry Chemical (Locomotive cooling system)

Nobel dry chemical fire suppression systems offer a range of fixed and portable dry chemical powder fire extinguisher systems to cover all classes of fire as an alternative to other suppression mediums.