EN 45545-4: Fire Safety Design, Evacuation & Smoke Containment Standards

EN 45545-4 defines the structural and architectural fire safety requirements for railway vehicle design. While Part 2 ensures the seats don’t burn easily, Part 4 ensures that if a fire does start, the vehicle layout aids passenger survival.

This standard governs the “Passive Safety” features of the train: the dimensions of evacuation paths, the placement of emergency exits, the fire resistance of partition walls (barriers), and the strict regulations for high-risk zones like catering galleys.

1. Designing for Evacuation (Egress)

The primary goal during a fire event is to get passengers out. EN 45545-4 mandates specific geometric rules to prevent bottlenecks during a panic:

• Emergency Exits: Defines the minimum number and dimensions of doors and breakable windows per car. Access must be unobstructed.
• Pathway Width: Corridors and vestibules must be wide enough to allow rapid flow, even with luggage.
• Signage: Photoluminescent (glow-in-the-dark) signs and floor path markings (Low Location Lighting) are required to guide passengers when smoke obscures the ceiling lights.

2. Structural Fire Barriers & Containment

To prevent a fire in one coach from consuming the entire train, EN 45545-4 requires the vehicle to be divided into fire containment zones using tested barriers.

3. Specific Rules for Catering Areas (Galleys)

Dining cars are statistical hotspots for fire ignition due to cooking appliances. EN 45545-4 imposes strict rules on kitchen design:

• Appliance Safety: Deep fat fryers and hot plates must have dual-thermostat protection (Overheat Cut-off) to cut power if the primary control fails.
• Orientation: Heating elements must be positioned to prevent spilled grease from hitting hot surfaces.
• Suppression: Kitchens often require local fire suppression systems (e.g., mist or foam) independent of the rest of the train.

4. Extinguishers and Tools

The standard also specifies the type, quantity, and location of portable fire extinguishers. They must be placed in easily accessible locations (visible to passengers) and near high-risk areas like the driver’s cab and electrical cabinets.