Fire Safety of Passenger Trains. Phase 1: Material Evaluation (Cone Calorimeter).
Fire Safety of Passenger Trains. Phase 1: Material
Evaluation (Cone Calorimeter).
(1962 K)
Peacock, R. D.; Braun, E.
NISTIR 6132; DOT/FRA/ORD-99/01; DOT-VNTSC-FRA-98-26;
197 p. March 1999.
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
(NTIS), Technology Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161.
Telephone:
1-800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000;
Fax: 703-605-6900.
Website: http://www.ntis.gov
Order number: PB99-134801
Keywords:
passenger trains; fire safety; cone calorimeters; fire
models; test methods; fire tests; heat release rate;
railroads; small scale fire tests; transportation
Abstract:
This report presents the results of Cone Calorimeter
testing of selected materials from current passenger
train systems. The test data from this test method were
compared to FRA guideline test results. The Cone
Calorimeter data was also tabulated to provide
information necessary for future hazard analysis
specific to passenger train vehicles. engineering
correlaitons were developed to compare test results from
the Cone Calorimeter and with the test methods in the
FRA guidelines. Comparisons using these correlations
were used to develop acceptace criteria for Cone
Calorimeter testing equivalent to those recommended in
the FRA guidelines. As part of the passenger equipment
rulemaking required by Congress, the Federal Railroad
Adminstration (FRA) has proposed that its existing fire
safety guidelines be made mandatory. A major conclusion
of a FRA-funded 1993 study by the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) was that the use of fire
hazard assessment techniques, based on modeling and
supported by measurement methods based on heat release
rate (HRR), could provide a more credible and
cost-effective means to predict real-world fire behavior
of passenger train materials than the current approach.
A comprehensive three-phase fire safety research program
is being conducted by NIST under the sponsorship of the
IRA Office of Research and Development to demonstrate
the practicality and effectiveness of HRR-based test
methods and hazard analysis techniques when applied to
passenger train fire safety. The results of the research
program will assist the FRA in determining appropriate
fire safety requirements for the final passenger
equipment rule. This document presents the Phase I
results of the program which focused on the evaluation
of passenger rail car interior materials using Cone
Calorimeter test data. A summary of U.S. transportation
agency requirements for various types of vehicles is
also provided. An update of U.S. and European passenger
train fire performance requirements and related research
is included.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899