The Vital Role of EN 45545-2 Certification in Railway Safety: Schlemmer's Cable Protection Solutions
Modern railway systems rely on an intricate network of electrical and data cables – their "unseen backbone." These cables power everything from propulsion to communication and passenger amenities. However, their critical role often goes unrecognized until failures occur. Without proper safeguarding, these lifelines are vulnerable to environmental stressors, mechanical wear, and potential hazards, leading to operational risks, increased maintenance costs, and compromised safety.
The railway environment poses unique challenges, particularly fire hazards, mechanical stress, environmental extremes, and space constraints. Fire safety is paramount due to enclosed passenger spaces and the potential for widespread casualties. Poorly protected cables can cause electrical faults that escalate into fires.
Understanding EN 45545-2: A Comprehensive Fire Safety Standard
The railway industry's commitment to safety extends far beyond merely preventing ignition; it encompasses rigorously limiting the spread of fire and, crucially, minimizing the emission of dense smoke and toxic gases. These byproducts of combustion can severely impair visibility, hinder rapid evacuation, and pose acute respiratory health risks to passengers and crew. This is where the EN 45545-2 standard becomes vital. As a critical benchmark in railway fire safety, EN 45545-2 explicitly aims to limit the production of fumes and toxic gases to improve visibility and evacuation capabilities, alongside controlling heat emission. This means that a material's contribution to fire safety is not just about resisting flame, but also about ensuring survivability by maintaining clear escape routes and breathable air. Consequently, every material and component utilized in railway vehicles must adhere to exceptionally stringent fire protection standards, such as the comprehensive EN 45545 series. The flame retardancy of a cable sleeving, therefore, becomes an integral part of the overall vehicle fire safety concept, contributing to the comprehensive safety architecture of the entire train and directly impacting the collective safety of passengers and crew.
Schlemmer's EN 45545-2 Certified Cable Protection Solutions: Engineered for Excellence
Schlemmer has developed advanced cable protection solutions specifically for the demanding railway sector, complying with the rigorous EN 45545-2 standard.
Schlemmer's comprehensive portfolio holds impressive R22 HL3 and R23 HL3 ratings. These signify compliance with the highest hazard levels for both interior (R22) and exterior (R23) railway applications. HL3 is the most stringent hazard level, applicable to high-speed trains or those in long tunnels with extended evacuation times. This superior compliance for both internal and external uses demonstrates their exceptional performance and broad applicability across critical, high-risk railway vehicles and operational environments.
EN 45545-2 compliance means a material not only resists flame propagation but also minimizes heat release, smoke density, and toxic gas emission during combustion. These characteristics are vital for passenger safety, enabling quick and safe evacuation by maintaining visibility and air quality in a fire. Many Schlemmer solutions also carry additional flammability ratings like UL 94 V0 or UL 94 V2, further confirming their fire performance.
Key Schlemmer EN 45545-2 Certified Products:
TWIN FLEX PA6 BS: Double C-shaped, flame retardant PA6 tubing (-40°C to 120°C, UL94 V0).
LANGOFLEX PET: Standard PET braided monofilament (-40°C to 150°C, self-extinguishing). Includes PET, PET-D (dense), PET-HD (high-density), and PET022 (0.22mm).
LANGOFLEX PET FR: Flame retardant PET braided monofilament (-40°C to 150°C, UL94 V2).
LANGOFLEX PET V0: UL94 V0 PET braided monofilament (-40°C to 150°C, UL94 V0).
LANGOFLEX EMI-HV M: PET braided monofilament with tinned copper wires (-40°C to 150°C, self-extinguishing).
NU-GUARD SC-P V0: UL94 V0 self-closing sleeving
Beyond Fire Safety: Additional Benefits for Railway Applications:
Resilience to Extremes: Schlemmer solutions reliably perform across diverse climates, typically from -40°C to 150°C for continuous use, with short-term tolerance up to 175°C. This thermal performance ensures protection and functionality whether installed in scorching outdoor environments, sub-zero conditions, or heat-generating train compartments.
Ease of Installation and Maintenance: The open construction of some Schlemmer products, like our NU-GUARD SC-P V0 or our TWIN FLEX PA6BS, simplify the installation without disconnecting the components. This ease translates to reduced labor time, minimized installation errors, and faster maintenance, repairs, and retrofitting, contributing to lower operational downtime and improved efficiency.
By investing in advanced cable protection from Schlemmer, railway operators enhance passenger and personnel safety, significantly reduce maintenance costs, improve system availability and uptime, and contribute to the robust, fail-safe future of global rail transport. Schlemmer is dedicated to continuous innovation, advancing the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the railway industry.
