EN 45545-2 certified profiles for rail transportation

In buildings with large numbers of people, such as rail transport, safety and functional resistance in fire situations are the first priority. For this reason, this sector has implemented very strict regulations and certifications on the materials used.

Among other characteristics, low smoke formation, low combustibility and high flame resistance are absolute prerequisites for high-performance compounds.

As the exclusive distributor of Compounds AG for Spain, Epidor Seals and Rubber Technology offers on the market solutions of extruded profiles certified EN45545-2:20113. This European standard, of mandatory compliance, combines the different criteria and national standards for safety and fire protection in passenger rail transport, and defines the requirements for reaction to fire of materials and components depending on:

  • Of the materials location.
  • The shape and arrangement of the materials.
  • The exposed surface, relative mass and thickness of the materials.

On this basis, the listed products have been classified into subgroups:

  • General location (indoor: IN or outdoor: EX).
  • Specific use (furniture: F, electrotechnical: EL and mechanical equipment: M).

The requirements set for the listed products are referred to as R1 to R26. Normally for e.g. train window profiles, levels R22 / R23 / R24 are sufficient.

For each requirement, there are 3 risk levels, depending on the type and design of the train (see table 1), with HL 3 being the most restrictive level.

Risk levels

 

Typology

Design

N: standard vehicles A: automatic vehicles without personnel trained for emergencies D: double-decker vehicles S: sleeper / bed vehicles
1 Surface circulation only HL 1 HL 1 HL 1 HL 2
2 Circulation through tunnels, rapid evacuation (subway) HL 2 HL 2 HL 2 HL 2
3 Circulation through tunnels, slow evacuation (intercity) HL 2 HL 2 HL 2 HL 3
4 Circulation through tunnels, restriction in evacuation HL 3 HL 3 HL 3 HL 3

Our halogen-free EPDM compounds meet R22 / R23 / R24 requirements and are HL 3-rated (so they also cover HL 1 and HL 2). The raw material specifically developed for this application also has the following features and advantages:

  • Halogen-free.
  • Lower toxicity of combustion gasses.
  •  Low density of combustion gasses in case of fire.
  •  No corrosive fire gasses = functional resistance.
  •  No emptying of burning components.

Provided certifications

transporte-ferroviario