Fire Prevention Measures being taken during manufacturing & Maintenance Of Coaches:
  • The air-conditioned coaches are provided with E-beam irradiated thin walled elastomeric cable as per RDSO specification no. RDSO/SPEC/ELC/0019 (Rev “0”) – 2002.
  • The layout and cable harness scheme for electrical wiring in the coaches are such as to minimize the number of joints and junction boxes.
  • The maintenance units of railways are directed to ensure the use of proper sizes of cables in different circuits as per standard designs of production units for these coaches.
  • Positive and negative cables for train lighting system working with 110 V DC are run in separate conduits.
  • The size of cables used in different circuits is based on electrical load for the particular circuit under normal operation as well as fault conditions after considering various de-rating factors for the cable like higher ambient temperature, bunching of cable, running in conduits etc.
  • All cables for other than branch circuits are secured to the coaching structure by cleats located at an interval not exceeding 500mm. Extra cleats are provided on either side of a bend and also near all the end connections made on equipment, terminal boards, and junction boxes.
  • The cleats are made in two halves having semi-circular grooves in each half with inside radius which conforms to the maximum overall outside diameter of the cable.
  • The cleats have a separate groove for each and every cable. More than one cable in one groove of the cleat should not be allowed.
  • Only PVC/FRP cleats with non-inflammable properties are being used.
  • Edges of the groove for holding the cables in the two halves of the cleat are suitably chamfered to avoid pinching of cable insulation. The cleats are properly secured to the coach body to avoid vibrations.
  • Branch cables either singly or in bunches are secured by PVC insulated clips. These clips are attached to the coach body by screws, machine screws or self-tapping screws.
  • When wires are run through the carline openings in the roof, adequate precautions are taken to prevent damage to cable insulation while drawing cables through such openings.
  • Wiring for fan points, berth lights, step lights, tail lights and side light fittings etc. on the coach are terminated in a connector. This will ensure that when these fittings are removed from the coach, the coach wiring is not disturbed and remains in position with its opposite polarities terminals adequately apart.
  • The connectors are covered under IS: 6896-1973 and are made of tough non-ignitable molding material or rigid PVC.
  • Distribution fuse boards and various terminal boards used in coach wiring are made of FRP/SMC with fire retardant properties.
  • The canvas ducts for air conditioning system are made of fire retardant quality of preferably woven material to IS- 1424 –1983 (Third Revision) Amendment 2.
  • The dry type air filter conforms to RDSO specification no.ELPS/PE/SPEC/AC/0055- 2003 (Rev.1) of fire retardant property are being used.
  • The mobile charging sockets are being provided with glass fuses to protect in case of overloading.
    Fuse distribution board covers are being modified to restrict entry of foreign material. (Ref: RDSO modification sheet no. RDSO/PE/MS/TL/0059-2012, Rev. 0).
  • In SLR coaches flush type light fittings are being provided with mesh to avoid damage while loading/ unloading luggage.
  • Fuse distribution boards and rotary switchboards are made of fire retardant fiberglass (FRP/SMC).
    Cables in the superstructure are being laid in insulated PVC conduits.
  • Cables in the underframe are being laid in metallic conduits.
  • Cables with fire retardant insulating material are being used.
  • Sparkless BLDC fans with inbuilt overload protection have been developed and are being provided.
  • Electronic regulators with improved voltage and current regulation and inbuilt over voltage protections have been developed and are being provided.
  • Modified epoxy molded terminal board has been introduced for alternators to prevent shorting of terminals.
  • Fire retardant PPCP containers are being used for the battery.
  • Modified epoxy molded Emergency Feed Terminal (EFT) has been introduced and are being provided