project final report - transfeu · the main goal of transfeu was to develop a fire...

PROJECT FINAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Finalpublishablesummaryreport

1.1 Anexecutivesummary

1.2. Asummarydescriptionofprojectcontextandobjectives

1.3. AdescriptionofthemainS&Tresults/foregrounds

1.4. The potential impact (including the socio-economicimpact and the wider societal implications of theprojectso far)andthemaindisseminationactivitiesandexploitationofresults

1.5 Useanddisseminationofforeground

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FINAL PUBLISHABLE SUMMARY REPORT

1.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

There is an urgent need to have a confident toxicity measurement methodology that contributes to the existing level of surface transport fire safety, which is the most difficult issue to assess in case of fire. The lack of confidence in the robustness of the existing product toxicity classification forbids its acceptance as a standard which prevents the European industry from common safety rules and consequently competitiveness.

Moreover, it is also important to have a holistic approach to fire safety design of vehicles which is able to provide more flexible and economic solutions than the current approach.

TRANSFEU has undertaken to deliver both a reliable toxicity measurement methodology and a holistic fire safety approach for all kind of surface transport (trains, waterborne vessels, etc.). It is based on a harmonized Fire Safety Engineering methodology which links passive fire security with active fire security modes.

This all embracing system is the key to attain optimum design solutions to respect fire safety objectives as an alternative to the prescriptive approach. It will help in the development of innovative solutions (design and products used for the building of the surface transport) which will better respect the environment.

In order to reach these objectives new toxicity measurement methodology and related classification of materials, numerical fire simulation tools, fire test methodology and a decision tool to optimize or explore new design in accordance to the fire safety requirements have been studied.

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A great effort of dissemination of TRANSFEU results with a significant contribution to European standardization process has also been undertaken. The participation of railway industrials, operators and fire science researchers, professional organisations for railway and vessels and finally standardisation organisations demonstrates the great interest of TRANSFEU for the harmonisation of fire safety in all surface transport, especially for railway vehicles.

The project started in April 2009 and finished in November 2012.

The following important results have been achieved:

• A new repeatable and reproducible fire test method for the measurement of toxic gases has been developed (67 products have been tested according to this test method). It is based on a continuous analysis of gases in function of time with FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometry)

• A new conventional pragmatic classification system for the toxicity of fire effluents released from products on trains is proposed by TRANSFEU.

This classification is based on the time to reach an incapacitation of the passengers and staff. It has been validated by comparison with real scale test on a coach.

• A general description of the fire safety engineering methodology to be used for surface transport has been written by TRANSFEU.

• It describes the fire safety objective, fire risk analysis approach, design fire scenarios and safety criteria, the numerical simulation tools and which data has to be used.

• Numerical tools and method of simulation have been developed in order to simulate the fire effect on structural integrity of fire barriers, the people evacuation, the fire growth, and toxic effects on staff and passengers due to the combustion of products.

These simulations have been validated by comparison with full and real scale tests results.

1. FINAL PUBLISHABLE SUMMARY REPORT 1.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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1.2. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES

Public surface transport (railway vehicles, waterborne vessels, and buses) are relatively safe. However, there is still a risk that a fire happens. It can be very dangerous for passengers, especially due to the presence of toxic combustion products from various materials that prevent people to evacuate on time from the transport vehicle. In Austria for instance, 155 people died in a funicular fire (Nov. 2000) because of toxic fumes. In Bulgaria (Feb. 2008), a train fire and toxic smoke killed 8 people, injured 9 and poisoned many others amongst the 62 people travelling in this train. In Poland (2005) an accident of a bus with a fire led to 13 deaths and dozens injured; some intoxications from the smoke have been reported.

The measurement of the level of toxic effect of materials and their toxicity classification is very important but also the most difficult to assess in order to estimate real evacuation time of passengers in case of fire. In railway vehicles, the current test method of toxic evaluation and classification of products (materials) are described in the CEN Technical Specification 45545-2. However there is a lack of confidence in the robustness of the existing product toxicity classification. Indeed it is measured only at two points of time for a few products, and then extrapolated for others. This means that this prescriptive products classification can be far from reality. In addition, there is no way to compare different national requirements for toxicity as there is no harmonisation regarding the measurement method. This uncertainty prevents European industry from adopting common safety rules and consequently hinders competitiveness. In order to improve fire safety European standards in railway vehicles and other surface transport a new prescriptive classification of products based on dynamic measurements of toxic effects from combustion gases is needed.

1. FINAL PUBLISHABLE SUMMARY REPORT 1.2. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES

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The current prescriptive approach gives solutions in fire safety design of railway vehicles or waterborne vessels in many cases. However the consideration of larger, complex vehicle structures and designs together with the presence of more complex phenomena due to combined effects of fire growth, toxic gas emission, rate of heat release, smoke distribution and active / passive safety on vehicles implies the need for utilisation of an alternative holistic approach. This holistic approach is possible using a performance-based fire safety methodology, which allows the provision of more flexible and economic solutions. This new holistic approach can propose a range of alternative and complementary fire safety strategies using innovative advanced materials and products that are able to achieve the design objectives of railway vehicles and other means of surface transportation, such as marine craft.

The main goal of TRANSFEU was to develop a fire safety-performance based-design methodology able to support efficiently European surface transport standardization. It was based on:

• A deeper understanding and measurement of underlying dynamic phenomena governing fire initiation and growth under typical railway vehicle scenarios, which can predict the real scale burning behaviour of products and assemblies;

• The adoption of fire safety engineering methodology that offers the necessary tools for establishing acceptable economic levels of safety without unnecessary constraints in vehicle or vessel design. This is supported by the development of original simulation tools;

• The application and validation of the whole tests, methods and tools in railway fire safety scenarios and standardisation with potential to other surface transport and particularly marine vessels.


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More precisely TRANSFEU proposed to:

• Develop a new, accurate measurement tool for toxic gaseous combustion products under dynamic conditions for transport applications. This tool allows a continuous record of toxic gas concentrations versus time to be determined and the prescriptive classification of materials used in railway vehicles according to their toxic effect and their acceptability in trains. This classification is used for the transition of the Technical Specification CEN/TS 45545-2 to the fire safety standard EN 45545-2 and its future revision;

• Define a standardized method to measure the concentration of toxic combustion products , applicable to all surface transport;

Figure 1: TRANSFEU concept and general objectives

List of 60 materials used in trains (wall, ceiling, floor coverings, seats/bedding)

,Physical data from measurementstests and calculations

Assessment of various Fire Scenarios

Consolidation

Design of fire safety measures to ensure

people evacuation and structural integrity of

vehicles

Criteria for materials safety classification

based on performances

Criteria for materials safety classification

based on prescriptive approach

Numerical simulation tools

for fire performances

assesment

Dynamic fire toxic effect

measurement method

development

Fire Safety EngineeringMethodology

Validation of fire safety at real scale tests

TRANSFEU Project For new efficient and fire behaviour safety design methodology in

surface transports

Holistic Fire Safety approach for more fundamental, flexible and economic solutions than traditionnal ones able to meet the modern challenges of new materials and innovative design

Contibution to future F ire Safety S tandards

for Rail and other transport means

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• Develop an advanced holistic fire safety methodology (FSE) based on performances using fire safety engineering principles. This methodology will be applied in different surface transport vehicles (trains, ships, buses) to provide alternative or complementary design of railway vehicles or waterborne vessels to the conventional prescriptive approach leading at least to an equal safety level that will be economically more interesting;

• Develop numerical simulation and decision tools applied to railway vehicles that take into account innovative design and the effect of material performances as well as passive and active safety and passenger evacuation scenarios for trains. TRANSFEU allows to optimize infrastructure safety as it will help to better control the effect of a fire in a train;

• Validate the fire safety methodology and the classifications (the prescriptive and the performance based ones) based on real scale railway vehicle tests. The performance based classification of combustible materials was obtained by an innovative approach using modelling tools for fire performances and evacuation of people in real rolling stock fire scenarios;

• Contribute substantially to the future standards of the European railway and waterborne vessel industries for enhanced safety.

Using these fire safety modelling tools and the results obtained during the project, TRANSFEU developed a holistic approach and supported European policies regarding safety in railway vehicles. A two-step approach was performed to support first the transition of the Technical Specification CEN/TS 45545-2 to EN status by providing a standardized method to measure the concentration of toxic effluents versus time and a classification of products according to their toxicity as early as 2010. In a second step, the project provided complementary results based on performances for its revision further on.

2010

TRANSFEU PROJECT

2012

Step 3

standards

in public surface transports

Step 1TS 45545 Standardfor Rail Fire Safety

Dynamic toxic effect measurement and prescriptive approach

Step 2New/revision of EN 45545Standards

Fire safety designperformance approach

Figure 2: The two-step strategy of TRANSFEU and its contribution to future fire safety standards

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1.3. DESCRIPTION OF THE MAIN S&T RESULTS/FOREGROUNDS

TRANSFEU has supported the European standardisation and harmonisation in different ways:

■ By developing a standardized method to measure toxicity of fire effluents and the associated classification, TRANSFEU has provided new methodology and experimental results that allow the open point of CEN/TS 45545-2 to be closed and to be revised as a harmonised European standard;

■ By gathering together all major European railway stakeholders the TRANSFEU consortium ensures the acceptance of Fire Safety Engineering methodology as an alternative approach to the prescriptive one in the railway vehicle sector. Its dissemination towards all means of surface transport gives a chance to lead to a wide European acceptance.

The main results expected from TRANSFEU can be summarized as below:

1. New generation of realistic dynamic measurement methodology of the emission of toxic gases in case of fire;

2. Classification system for the toxic effect on the passengers and staff due the generation of toxic gases by the fire;

3. Cost-effective methods and modelling tools for fire safety design able to predict realistic fire behaviour and the time to reach compromised tenability within a passenger rail vehicle or in a waterborne vessel. Simulation tools will provide fire guidance on the design, on fire safety measures and a way to explore alternative designs;

4. Validation of the new fire safety methods and tools in railway vehicle scenarios and of the toxic fire effluents classification criteria from products used on trains;

5. Significant contribution to future fire safety standards for all means of surface transport (trains, ships and buses).

In order to reach these objectives TRANSFEU is organized in three principal parts which will be distributed between seven work packages (WP) (see further the Figure 3 to see the interactions between those WP). Five following work packages are technical (WP2 to WP6), and two are transversal: WP1 concerns the project management and the follow-up of the whole activities of the project; WP7 focused on dissemination activity and the standardisation process.

1. FINAL PUBLISHABLE SUMMARY REPORT 1.3. DESCRIPTION OF THE MAIN S&T RESULTS/FOREGROUNDS

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• WP2 focuses on the development of a small scale dynamic test method to measure the type and quantity of toxic gases produced during the combustion of products used in transport. This method will be used for the classification of products that reach the incapacitation and lethality thresholds in the specific scenarios defined in WP4 for railway vehicles.

• Data processing and introduction in a dedicated database to supply the FSE models to assess the time within which the passengers must evacuate from fire scenario before the first critical conditions are reached;

• WP3 deals with the development of a classification system for the toxicity of fire effluents from products on railway vehicles, which will be based upon a conventional prescriptive approach. This system will be used to set requirements for inclusion in CEN/TS 45545-2 by late 2010 for its foreseen revision as a European Norm;

• WP4 consists in the development of a holistic fire safety engineering (FSE) methodology for surface transport with special regard to evacuation, rescue, integrity of barriers and tenability conditions inside the transportation system. This means that all fire effects are regarded as a function of time and the focus is on life safety. It will be possible to use this methodology for proving that alternative designs of vehicles (that is, alternative to prescriptive requirements) and lead to an equal level of safety. It shall be applicable to various transportation systems (trains, ships and ferryboats, buses and coaches, etc.). The applicability of the general methodology will be shown in WP5 for the specifics of railway vehicles, i.e. inter alia the typical design features, materials used and necessary safe egress time. Nevertheless the approach will be generic and may be adapted to other areas of surface transport and even for adjoining spaces, e.g. for stations;

• WP5 is dedicated to a) the development of numerical simulation tools for fire performance and evacuation of people adapted to the train scenarios which may be used in the FSE methodology developed in the WP4, and b) a decision tool for the train design;

• WP6 addresses the validation of the conventional pragmatic toxicity


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classification system developed in WP3 with the help of FSE and in the

same time the validation of the simulation tools developed in WP5.

Fire test for toxicity of fire effluents - WP2

The objective of this WP is to develop a new, accurate and reliable small scale dynamic test which analyses continuously the gaseous fire effluents produced by products used in surface transport vehicle applications. This equipment allows the assessment of the toxicity of fire effluents from products used on all types of surface transport under dynamic conditions.

Figure 3 – Schematic diagram of Tasks in TRANSFEU project


W P 7 Exploitation, Dissemination and Contribution to standards

Task 6.1: Products’ and fire scenarios selection

Task 6.2: Tests on real products

Task 6.3: Tests on real coach -Determination of the most representative situation in each generic model of coach

Task 6.4 : Prediction of ASET

Task 6.5 : Validation of the WP3 classification by comparison between RSET and ASET

Task 6.1: Products’ and fire scenarios selection

Task 6.2: Tests on real products

Task 6.3: Tests on real coach -Determination of the most representative situation in each generic model of coach

Task 6.4 : Prediction of ASET

Task 6.5 : Validation of the WP3 classification by comparison between RSET and ASET

Task 5.1 : Simulation of fire development on products and in the vehicle

Task 5.2 : Simulation of fire effects on people

Task 5.3 : Validation of tools developed in the T5.1 and T5.2 by sensibility analysis

Task 5.4 : Simulation of the evacuation of people in order to determine RSET

Task 5.5 : Simulation of the fire effect on structural integrity

Task 5.6 : Simplified assessment tool for the design train design

Task 5.1 : Simulation of fire development on products and in the vehicle

Task 5.2 : Simulation of fire effects on people

Task 5.3 : Validation of tools developed in the T5.1 and T5.2 by sensibility analysis

Task 5.4 : Simulation of the evacuation of people in order to determine RSET

Task 5.5 : Simulation of the fire effect on structural integrity

Task 5.6 : Simplified assessment tool for the design train design

WP3

Development of conventional pragmatic classification

system for the toxicity of fire effluents released from

products on trains

WP3

Development of conventional pragmatic classification

system for the toxicity of fire effluents released from

products on trains

WP 1 Management

WP2

Fire test for toxicity of fire effluents

Task 2.1 : Development of new test method for the continuous toxic gas analysis

Task 2.2 Step 1 : Toxicity test on 30 materials

Task 2.2 Step 2 :Complementary fire data needed for modeling in Fire Safety Engineering (FSE)

Task 2.1 : Development of new test method for the continuous toxic gas analysis

Task 2.2 Step 1 : Toxicity test on 30 materials

Task 2.2 Step 2 :Complementary fire data needed for modeling in Fire Safety Engineering (FSE)

WP4

Fire Safety Engineering Methodology for surface

transportation

WP4

Fire Safety Engineering Methodology for surface

transportation

WP5

Development of numerical simulation tools for fire

performance, evacuation of people and decision tool for

the train design

WP5

Development of numerical simulation tools for fire

performance, evacuation of people and decision tool for

the train design

WP6

Validation of the conventional toxicity classification and the numerical simulation

WP6

Validation of the conventional toxicity classification and the numerical simulation

Task 3.1 : Proposal for conventional classification models

Task 3.2 : Prediction of (ASET) based on a simple model of the railway coach

Task 3.3 : Validation of a conventional classification by comparison with ASET and RSET

Task 3.4: Conventional classification according to T3.3 and T3.4

Task 3.1 : Proposal for conventional classification models

Task 3.2 : Prediction of (ASET) based on a simple model of the railway coach

Task 3.3 : Validation of a conventional classification by comparison with ASET and RSET

Task 3.4: Conventional classification according to T3.3 and T3.4

Task 4.1 : Fire safety objective and associated criteria of performance and acceptance

Task 4.2 : Fire risk analysis and design fire scenarios

Task 4.3 : Description of numerical simulation tools for the evaluation of fire performance

Task 4.4 : Construction of a fire data base for FSE :-Reaction to fire-Resistance to fire-Other data

Task 4.1 : Fire safety objective and associated criteria of performance and acceptance

Task 4.2 : Fire risk analysis and design fire scenarios

Task 4.3 : Description of numerical simulation tools for the evaluation of fire performance

Task 4.4 : Construction of a fire data base for FSE :-Reaction to fire-Resistance to fire-Other data

New test method of continuous gas analysis

New test method of continuous gas analysis

Pragmatic Conventional classification system of toxic

effect for train

Pragmatic Conventional classification system of toxic

effect for train

Data base of product fire

behaviour and other data

Data base of product fire

behaviour and other data

Methologyof FSE

Methologyof FSE

Simulation tools

Simulation tools

Software for train designSoftware for train design

Consolidated classification system of fire people effect

for train

Consolidated classification system of fire people effect

for train

W P 7 Exploitation, Dissemination and Contribution to standards

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Since most public surface transport vehicles (trains, ships and buses) consist of spaces with limited volume, it is relatively easy in the event of a fire on board for the concentration of combustion products (such as narcotic and irritant gases) to reach levels that will compromise the ability of passengers to escape to a safe place.

In order to reach this objective, the WP2 has developed a continuously method of the toxic gases measuring by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infra-Red) produced in the smoke chamber test according to ISO 5659-2 (measuring in dynamic phase).

To obtain correct measurements that are accurate, repeatable and reproducible, it was necessary to modify the existing standard, adding new parts, filters, temperature and pressure measurements and various other equipments.

The repeatability of the tests method has been evaluated from a Round Robin exercise between 8 laboratories.

In conclusion, the foreground generated by the WP2 is a new dynamic method of toxic gas analysis which is repeatable and reproducible. This dynamic method using FTIR spectrometry in connection with the ISO 5659-2 smoke chamber test can be considered satisfactory.

This new smoke and combustion products evaluation method could replace the present method which is used for EN 45545-2 because it is more repeatable and it measures the gas concentration in function of the time from which it is possible to calculate the toxic effect in function of the time. Another important result achieved thanks to the TRANSFEU program with regard to the measurement of the production of toxic gases with the ISO 5659-2 smoke chamber was the influence of the test conditions on the results. Further work may be useful to define when the specified test mode should be performed with or without a pilot flame.

The ISO 5659-2 procedure coupled with continuous FTIR gas analysis was considered by the CEN/TC256 and CENELEC/TC9X Joint Working Group.


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The outcome from this WP are:

• the work within International standardization ISO TC92 / SC1 on the drafting of a new standard on the coupling analysis by FTIR according to ISO 19702 (under revision), coupled to ISO 5659-2 smoke chamber.

• a revision of the actual EN 45545-2 to introduce the method developed by TRANSFEU.

Development and validation of conventional pragmatic classification system for the toxicity of fire effluents released from products on surface transport vehicle - WP3 – WP6.4 – WP6.5

The objective of this work is to develop a classification system of the toxicity

of fire effluents released by the products used in railway vehicle applications and

other surface transport.

To reach this objective a conventional classification system based on

prescriptive approach is proposed in WP3 and validated by comparison with real

scale situations (WP 6.4), in order to develop a new classification which is more

realistic than the actual system (WP 6.5), described in EN 45545-2

The aim was to evaluate, by means of index of toxicity, the time in which are

exceeded the limits beyond which the people involved in the fire will lose the

capacity to move outside of the toxic atmosphere. This evaluation determines the

Available Safe Evacuation Time (ASET).

The index of toxicity studied are the CIT (Conventional Index of Toxicity - see

the WP3), FED (Fractional Effective Dose due to the accumulation of the asphyxiate

gases effects in the body) and FEC (Fractional Effective Concentration due to the

increased concentrations of irritant gases – see in WP6.5) calculated from the gas

concentration in function of the time measured by the laboratories.


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They are determined according to the following model:

IT = [Precursor Term] x [Summation Term]

Where

• IT = Index of Toxicity

• The precursor term (or scaling factor) is a system parameter, which defines the area of a product that is perceived or estimated to burn and the volume of the space into which the smoke and gaseous effluents flow.

• The summation term is the toxic potency of gases calculated according to the EN 45545-2 (for CIT) or ISO 13571 (FED, FEC).

The ASET determined according to this model is compared with the RSET (Require Safe Evacuation Time) in order to assess that the product satisfy the requirement (ASET > RSET)

At the end of the program 67 products, including electric cables, have been introduced in the database. This information, obtained by testing products currently used in the train construction, remains at the disposal of both the authorities and the designers of new trains.


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In conclusion, the foreground generated by these WP are:

• Few deviations in pass/fail results are reported but generally the classification of the 67 products is not modified too much by comparison with the CEN TS 45545-2 classification,

• The ASET results make it easier to determine compliance with the requirements of operating categories for trains on European networks. And the proposed TRANSFEU D3.4 method gives better discrimination than the CEN/TS 45545-2 method,

• The use of CIT for prediction of the toxicity of combustion gases is questioned and the WP6.5 show that the gas analysis from the ISO 5659-2 test should be based on the ISO 13571 methodology in which FED and FEC are more globally validated derivations for compromised tenability of passengers and crew in surface transport. The WP6.4 results confirm this new model by comparison with the real scale test results.

The outcome from these WP can be a proposal of the new concept of the classification developed by TRANSFEU in the European standardization like the CEN TC 256 for the train, international standardization like IMO for the ships and

other CEN TC for other surface transports.


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Fire Safety Engineering methodology for surface transport - WP4

This WP aimed at developing a holistic fire safety engineering (FSE) methodology for surface transports with special regard to evacuation, rescue and tenability conditions inside the transportation system. The methodology is adapted from state-of-art guidance, including ISO 23932.The objective was to be applicable to various transportation systems (trains, ships and ferryboats, buses and coaches, etc.).

The General description of the FSE methodology (WP4-4.5) describes the pragmatic approach for Fire Safety Engineering and contains the following sections:-

Section I Introduction of Fire Safety Engineering for surface transport

Section II Fire safety objectives and associated criteria of acceptance and performance (WP4 D4.1)

Section III Definition of fire scenarios by risk analysis (WP4 D4.2)

Section IV Methods and tools of simulation for fire performance and passenger evacuation (WP4 D4.3)

Section V Input data for Fire Safety Engineering (WP4 D4.4)

Section VI Methodology for Fire Safety Engineering

Section VII Assessment results for validation of the fire simulation in section VI


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It is important that Fire Safety Engineering is implemented on the design phase by using time based test results for calculation of the ASET (Available Safe Escape Times).

In conclusion, the foreground generated by the WP 4 provides a fire safety performance-based design methodology able to support fire safety assessment on vehicle design by creating a fire risk assessment. This Fire risk assessment can help to develop the vehicle fire safety concept which can drive the Fire safety vehicle assessment. This design support has been developed with the material properties according to EN 45545 Part 2 as input data.

With the help of this methodology a realistic an pragmatic approach of holistic fire safety is possible for surface transport and can be adapted for adjoining spaces.

The outcomes from this WP are

• The determination of realistic and probable fire scenarios for the train, according to their categories, based on scientific risk analysis,

• A proposal of realistic RSET for these scenarios from the evacuation simulation of passengers,

• A structure of complete data base which can be used for the simulation.

• The description of simulation tools adapted and validated for the surface transport.

Development of numerical simulation tools for fire performance, evacuation of people and decision tool for the train design - WP5

The objective of the work package is to develop cost effective methods and

modelling tools of fire safety design able to predict realistic fire behaviour and

enhance passenger safety conditions in case of fire in surface transport.

The tools are able to demonstrate an adequate level of fire safety for a specific

vehicle structure and specific scenarios by:

• Allowing to compare the safety levels for alternative design,

• Providing a basis for selection of appropriate fire protection systems,

• Providing opportunities for innovative design in materials or available space,


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• Providing information on the management of fire safety in a vehicle.

• To reach these objectives, this WP has developed:

• numerical simulation tools for fire performance and evacuation of people adapted to the defined train scenarios in order to be used in the FSE methodology (WP4),

• a decision tool for the train design and other surface transport.

They have been developed by adaptation of the existing simulation tools to the train scenarios.

Four kinds of tools have been developed in order to simulate the following:

• Fire development on the product and in the vehicle,

• Effect of effluents on passengers and staff,

• Evacuation of the vehicle by the passengers and the staff,

• Effect of the fire on structural integrity of fire barriers.

The first two tools are described in the tasks 5.1 and 5.2 and the results of their use for the simulation of fire in train are presented in the task 5.3.

The third tool (simulation of evacuation) is described and the results are presented in the task 5.4.

The fourth tool (simulation of the fire effect on structural integrity of fire barriers) is described and the results are presented in the task 5.5.

A simplified assessment tool for the train design has been developed (described in the task 5.6).


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In conclusion, the foreground generated by this WP is:

• The development of Innovate simulation tools adapted to the train and surface transport, based on several level of sophistication to predict the fire growth and toxic gas release,

• The uses of these tools with success to optimize the conception of the train,

• A guidance about the way to use simplified decision tools for the train design to estimate safety of evacuation.

For the first time these tools have been validated by comparison with real scale test results (test on real coach).

However, some refinements are necessary to improve these simulation tools in order to avoid an overestimation of ASET.

These refinements will consist of the following steps:

• Use full scale test in order to evaluate better the impact of the critical product (identified after the pre simulation) on the fire growth.

• Use cone calorimeter test + FTIR or smoke chamber at 50 kW/m2 + pilot flame to simulate the generation of toxic gases depending on the location and ventilation conditions of the products considered (such as open coach or closed compartment/sleeping car) . These two test methods can be combined with the Critical Flux at Extinguishment (CFE) measurement according to ISO 5658-2 in order to evaluate better the impact of the surface spread of flame on the generation of toxic gases.

• Adapt modelling tools in order to simulate better the distribution of the smoke in a typical transport space/volume.


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The outcome of this WP can be:

• An optimization of the conception/design of the train and surface transport according to an holistic approach of safety about the evacuation possibilities,

• the management of the fire barrier doors to protect the passengers from fire effects when they have reached the relative safety place,

• the management of the active security systems (optimization of the smoke detectors, extractors, etc.).

• The use of Fire Safety Engineering as an alternative way to the prescriptive approach in order to determine the conformity to Directive and TSI’s at system level for trains or other surface transportation. The methods developed are directly applicable for IMO Regulation on FSE (SOLAS II-2 R17 and MSC/circ. 1002)


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Validation of the conventional toxicity classification and the numerical simulation tools for the prediction of fire effect on people - WP6

The objective of this WP is to validate the conventional pragmatic toxicity classification criteria developed in WP3 with the help of the FSE and in the same time to validate the simulation tools developed in WP5.

In order to reach these objectives full scale tests and real scale tests have been realized.

The full scale test results are used to check the effect on the spread of flame of the end use mounting of the products (task 6.2).

The real scale test results are used to check the effect of the fire on the passengers and crews in a real coach (task 6.3).

The following full scale test and real scale test selected are described in the task 6.1. The results of the validation of the pragmatic classification by comparison between simulation and real scale test are presented in the task 6.4 and the new pragmatic classification after validation is presented in the task 6.5.


Structural products Seats Cables

Figure 5: Full scale tests

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In conclusion, the foreground generated by this WP6 is:

• The results according to full scale tests (on different representative products) and to real scale tests which complete the bench scale test results in the data base,

• An evaluation of the ASET according to real situations and representative of the principal categories of train, according to the principal scenarios proposed from Fire Safety Engineering methodology (WP4).

The outcomes from this WP6 are:

• A validation of the simulation tools,

• A validation of a new classification system by comparison with real scale tests, which allows for a more realistic assessment of the toxic hazard in the event of fires on railway vehicles than the CIT approach currently used in EN 45545-2 (Edition 1).


Figure 6: Real scale test (reproduce the selected scenarios)

Small compartment Single deck coach

Double deck coach

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• a proposal of the new concept of the classification developed by TRANSFEU in the European standardization like EN 45545-2 and international codes like IMO Fire Tests Procedures codes for ships.

WP7 – Exploitation, Dissemination and Contribution to Standards

The project wishes to make significant contributions to the future fire safety standards of the European railway and surface transport industries, and to enhance interoperability.

The research results will be disseminated to the rail industry and other interested surface transport sectors through the consortium partnership and particularly partners like DIN FSF, UNIFE and IMO.

TRANSFEU will provide classification criteria about the toxicity effects of fire effluents for trains, which will be used in the prescriptive approach for DIN FSF, CENELEC or EC TSI. The continuous toxic gas analysis method will also be easily transposed to other surface transport.

Moreover, as criteria of the toxic effect on passengers and staff of surface transport (trains, ferry boat and/or buses) will be based on the same method, a harmonization of this measurement for the surface transportation in Europe will be ensured, providing a clear definition and homogenization of the toxicity criteria.


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The dissemination of the performance based approach will also support the development of a common safety philosophy, leading to a European acceptance of common fundamental requirements for the safety level in railway vehicles.

Once the performance based approach is harmonized and well established in the whole of Europe, both approaches (prescriptive and performance based) will be considered to give identical results. This will thus enhance interoperability by improving the certification process.

This dissemination will also allow harmonising the numerical fire simulation tools for all surface transports.

1. FINAL PUBLISHABLE SUMMARY REPORT 1.4. DESCRIPTION OF THE MAIN S&T RESULTS/FOREGROUNDSTHE POTENTIAL

IMPACT AND THE MAIN DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES AND EXPLOITATION OF RESULTS

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1.4. THE POTENTIAL IMPACT (INCLUDING THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT AND THE WIDER SOCIETAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE PROJECT SO FAR) AND THE MAIN DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES AND EXPLOITATION OF RESULTS

Environment

TRANSFEU allows using lighter means for vehicle production using aluminium

or innovative and environmentally friendly materials. In that way, it supports the

energy and environment research priorities of ERRAC Strategic Rail research

Agenda (SRRA) the competitiveness and energy roadmaps, as well as the RailRoute

2050 vision document published in 2012 by the European platform

With the current innovative materials which exist, it is expected up to 10%

weight loss regarding the car body, but it will be more in the future. It will then

reduce energy consumption accordingly up to 10% to go exactly at the same speed

(positive impact), or have equal energy consumption (neutral impact) if the car

body weight gain is used to make more people travelling.

TRANSFEU provides also tools able to classify products used in trains

according to their release of potential toxic gas while burning and contribute to the

selection of more environment-friendly materials.

Finally the project provides a means to evaluate precisely the toxicity effluents,

thus facilitating the use of materials which will have less toxic release when

burning and hence decrease the emission into the atmosphere of particulates and

toxic fumes.



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Safety of the whole transport system

• Considering the protection of passengers in case of fire thanks to the new material toxic classification approach developed for railway vehicle, which can be extended to all means of transport,

• Providing realistic fire effect on people and evacuation scenarios to protect vulnerable persons (passengers and crew),

• Considering a holistic approach of the coach (active and passive safety and their interactions);

• Developing simulation tools to ensure structural integrity of the fire barrier.

TRANSFEU allows exploring alternative designs to the ones used up to now

by the prescriptive approach and improve maintenance. The use of new

environmentally-friendly innovative materials is also facilitated with the

performance based approach more flexible than the one used up to now.

Safety performance of the infrastructure

TRANSFEU contributes to a better understanding of the train fire impact on

the infrastructure like a tunnel, leading to increase the level of safety. Indeed fire

scenarios include the case where the train is the fire source itself.

Harmonization and standardization

By gathering all major railway stakeholders, DIN FSF, IMO, UNIFE, TRANSFEU

ensured a common vision regarding the developed tools and allows for instance to:

• Close the open point of CEN/TS 45545-2 (since 10 years) regarding toxicity measurement and facilitate its transition to a European Norm,

• Provide a standardized method to measure toxic effluents under dynamic conditions which can be used in all kinds of transport,

• Provide an alternative method to the prescriptive approach, allowing new initiatives for fire safety in public surface transport.



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Contribution to European policies

Transport policy

The absence of technical harmonisation is one of the reasons for the drop in market share of rail against road in recent decades and costs 3 billion € a year according to UNIFE estimation. The Commission has therefore devoted significant time and investment to encouraging “interoperability” on Europe’s rail network. TRANSFEU contributes in harmonisation of product classification related to fire toxic hazards and fire safety standards; it thus contributes to an enhanced interoperability, an easier introduction of new innovative materials in railway applications, and to an enhanced safety in railway vehicles against accidents or terrorist actions.

European Manufacturing Policy

The European policy (MANUFUTURE) for the manufacturing approach of the future supports the development of a global competitiveness, a sustainable development and high value added employment in a context of low wage and low cost production competition from Asia. Its success will depend notably upon innovation of nanotechnologies, electronics and materials and comply with stricter environmental and safety regulations and the availability of industrial standards and testing procedures.

TRANSFEU contributes to the goals of the European new vision of manufacturing industry by:

• Supporting the idea of global competitiveness of the new European vision. TRANSFEU initiated advanced common methodology for testing and evaluating toxic emissions and common material classifications able to strengthen the competitiveness of European rail industry and facilitate SME suppliers to participate in railway economy,

• Initiating stricter regulations for fire hazard characterisation, evaluation and classification allowing the design of safer railway vehicles able to support sustainable development and employment for the railway industry,

• Flexible collaboration in supply chain, with SMEs TRANSFEU permits to material integrators and suppliers to benefit from the harmonised methodologies and tools used in material integration. This provides easier access to rail components to SMEs suppliers with new innovative products.



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European Chemical and Safe policy

TRANSFEU complies with the white paper for the future chemicals Policy concerning the protection of human health, by using the precautionary principle for materials utilisation in railway vehicles avoiding type of materials producing toxic hazards. Additionally, TRANSFEU contributes to the REACH legislation.

Scientific and technological impacts

TRANSFEU outputs take place in a holistic approach linking human elements, structural integrity of fire barrier, preventive, passive and active safety, including monitoring systems, rescue and crisis management.

TRANSFEU outputs are used in many aspects for the development of passenger transport:

• Development of safe components in respect of toxic fume emission including furniture, electrical component and structural materials,

• Tools for products selection regarding toxic hazard under fire,

• Real scale approach allowing strong and accurate validation of toxic effect in a rolling stock,

• Development of safe, modern and agreeable means of transport.

• Development of materials/components that will be safer in respect of toxic fume measurement.



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Better understanding of the underlying phenomena governing toxic gas release allows knowing components that had been evaluated under static conditions better. Tools validated in real scale tests within TRANSFEU allow the building of a database containing information on fire behaviour for 67 products. This was a first step for the toxic selection of the components and assemblies with appropriate levels of safety in respect of toxic fume emission. Being able to predict product behaviour under real fire conditions considering both initial conditions and environment (active/passive safety, coach design) allows choosing components releasing acceptable toxic gas levels.

At the same time, advances in gas modelling and evolution in time are leading a revolution in the analysis of material overall contribution to fire in a particular design. Such an approach allows evaluation of factors in addition to material flammability and of trade-offs in the fire-safe design of the entire fire safety system.

■ Tools for products and design approbation regarding fire requirements

TRANSFEU will propose accurate modelling of evacuation, rescue, integrity of barriers and tenability conditions inside the transportation system for surface transport. This means that all fire effects are regarded as a function of time focusing on life safety. It will be possible to use these tools and methodology to prove that alternative designs of vehicles – alternative to prescriptive requirements – are safe. The methodology will be even applicable to adjoining spaces, e.g. for stations.

Moreover, during the project, a decision tool allowing:

• The evaluation of the impact of a fire in a coach according to its design (materials used for the seats, walls, floors, cables.../passive and active security/ integrity of the fire barrier),

• The exploration of alternative design using new innovative materials,

• The extrapolation to a modified design from the original design

TRANSFEU will also contribute in reducing the Life-Cycle Cost for fire safety measures allowing the use/facilitation of the development of new materials with the same physical properties as the existing ones.



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Reinforcing European competitiveness

The exploitation of project results will add to a stronger and more competitive supply industry with major cost and reliability benefits for train manufacturers, suppliers and railway operators:

• For the Train manufacturers – Having a virtual approval for the integrity of fire barriers will imply a decrease in fire resistance test price up to 50%. Added to the ability to explore new innovative designs and materials using the fire engineering simulation tools will result in further cost reductions and to new business opportunities;

• For railway suppliers – The possibility to develop and provide new light materials for trains respecting the high fire safety standards;

• For railway operators – The results of TRANSFEU will provide win-win solutions: suppliers for production and operators for retro profit. Due to the longer projected life of rail vehicles, opportunities for interior refurbishment and better designs at less cost but still proposing a high level of safety will ensure a faster introduction of new innovative materials;

• Virtual testing will allow the improving of the homologation process and reduce the cost of approval for new vehicles;

• The possibility to have a standardized test method to measure toxicity for all kinds of materials will facilitate the placing into service of rolling stocks in Europe by having a common European classification approach for toxic fumes measurements. Indeed the toxicity of fire effluents is a major safety issue for high speed trains and underground vehicles.

Furthermore, by stimulating a collaborative approach among the railway European stakeholders TRANSFEU will support economies of scale because of the establishment of a European norm (EN 45545) and a harmonisation regarding the use of fire safety engineering as an alternative method to prove the fulfilment of fire safety requirements. This will suppress the need to satisfy all national requirements, saving money and time for the acceptance, approval process and improve competitiveness of the European surface transport industry.



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Contribution to standards and the harmonized European market

For each train component and each train, actual legislations currently differ from one country to another, even within Europe. This leads to a need to perform specific tests to comply with the reaction to fire requirements of each member state.

Thus, European railways need as soon as possible a harmonized standard that is clearly and univocally understood by all interested parties (e.g. designers, safety authorities, manufacturers, scientists, users, notified bodies and certified fire laboratories). TRANSFEU will be used to revise the EN 45545–2 standard. This work will also contribute to the development of an international norm (within ISO TC 92 ‘Fire Safety’) and hence offer a realistic alternative to American standards in these large European projects. The new test developed for assessment of fire effluents and the derived classification system for train products will be incorporated into the new European standard EN 45545-2, and the methodology for using fire safety engineering and its associated simulation tools will provide a common basis for all kinds of surface transport.

Another important contribution of TRANSFEU will be to introduce the project results to DIN FSF and to CENELEC/TC9X and, as leading contributors to the CEN/CENELEC Joint Working Group (JWG) and to manage the development of a classification system for railway products. This will be facilitated by DIN FSF involvement in TRANSFEU, and supported by UNIFE and IMO.

The foreseen tight relation with train builders, railway operators, UNIFE, standardisation bodies (DIN FSF), notified bodies (EBC) and IMO is aimed at setting fast-track procedures for standard setting and approval. There are CEN TC256 fast procedures which permit to introduce rapidly a draft standard coming from research when a recognized body like UNIFE asks it officially to the CEN. It will thus pursue the objectives of delivering European standards and best practices, shortening the times for approval by integrating relevant experts already at an early stage of the project and establishing a framework of co-operation in the standardisation domain.



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This will lead to an enhanced performance for standards and add to their economic value and their reactivity to technological developments.

Suppliers will benefit from a single set of fire tests being applicable across the entire European market rather than having to carry out national tests for each country. Decreases in cost and time dedicated to those trials and harmonized legislations will allow manufacturers to enlarge their targeted markets. The larger companies who supply vehicles and/or systems will benefit if the basis of the project is EN rather than NFPA as the usual supplier base will be available to them.

Fire laboratories will encourage suppliers and designers to undertake comparative testing of the new smoke and toxicity dynamic test compared to those national tests that have been specified historically for assessment of fire effluents in transport vehicles.

Contribution to additional EU social objectives

Health and safety of people

TRANSFEU enhances people’s safety as the most critical measurement in case of fire is how toxic effluents are distributed in a vehicle in movement. It will contribute to reduce intoxications and thus allow decreasing number of fatalities in rail transport.

Quality of life

TRANSFEU will facilitate the development of innovative products by using a qualification system more flexible than the current prescriptive approach. These new products can be then used to make seats more comfortable for passengers.

Additionally, problems such as congestions and pollutions adversely affect the lives of many European citizens on a daily basis. By achieving safer and cheaper train transport, TRANSFEU will contribute to an enhanced use of rail-based traffic capacity on the basis of free choice of transport mode which will provide citizens better health and quality of life.



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Struggle against social exclusion by allowing a decrease in transport price

Innovative tools developed within TRANSFEU will allow a decrease of cost in the homologation process. Furthermore new materials used might be cheaper and lighter thus resulting in a decrease of transport cost. This will make train transport available for more citizens and help to fight against social exclusion.

Employment

The new tools will be used by high qualified people required for these jobs. High level competencies will be attracted by railway industry for research projects in the area and then for utilisation in the rail industry which suffers from its image of traditional manufacturing industry. TRANSFEU and the new knowledge that it proposes are able to attract young scientists to join the railway industry. TRANSFEU will in turn be a source of high trained personnel that will remain in Europe thanks to the increased demand for qualified people in virtual tools.

Education and training

■ Education

The project will provide at least 8 graduate students and post-doctoral European fellows with a great opportunity for high education and training in 4 quality academic research laboratories and 6 industrials (among the major European key players) located in 8 European countries. Moreover new technologies developed will attract more young people in the railway industry and can make Europe attractive to researchers from the rest of the world.

Prof. Wittbecker will prepare training courses in the fire safety-engineering department of the University of Wuppertal to give the students experience in fire testing methods. He intends to organise students’ exchanges with SP Fire Technology and Currenta too.



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SP Fire Technology has cooperation with University of Valenciennes in France and each year accepts one or two students working for 6 months, mainly with fire modelling in larger research projects, such as TRANSFEU.

■ Professional Training

TRENIT intends to carry out within the project some training courses for post-graduate students, in collaboration with Florence Engineering University.

RATP will propose some training courses during the ASIA Pacific IUTP Conference “Fire Safety in Underground Transportation System”.

DIN FSF will organise training courses which consist of specific courses including practical experience at institutes and industry regarding fire engineering.

TRANSFEU partners’ who are members of EGOLF will propose training Courses for accredited fire laboratories;

■ Citizen awareness:

TRANSFEU will publish relevant information to the general public, through actions taken at European level, participation in European events like the European Science Week and The Innovation Salon and finally, relationships with the media. TRANSFEU will also contribute to establishing a science policy that is closer to citizens. Indeed, scientists will participate in forums, hearings, media, with high transparency to enable people building an opinion and satisfy the need for mutual understanding. This dialogue will allow showing citizens that, according to their expectations, high technology products fulfilling their needs can be developed in an eco-efficient way and ensure high safety for people.

Impact on European research

One main objective of this project is to gather the leading European railway manufacturers, research organisations and standardization bodies with their interdisciplinary skills across Europe in order to form a strong transnational collaboration to generate new knowledge and new technologies that will be implemented in new products and in European and Worldwide legislations.



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TRANSFEU will contribute to sustain the European research and boost collaboration with universities thus allowing European research organizations and European industries to achieve and maintain a true world leadership. Efficient technology transfer from academic laboratories to European industrials is also crucial to ensure the competitive development of the transport industry in the European countries. The transfer will be carried out through training courses organized by academic, public or notified bodies.

In addition, since UNIFE is one of the main leaders of ERRAC, the European Rail Research Advisory Council, the results of TRANSFEU will have the occasion to be largely disseminated to a wide community of researchers, operators and manufacturers. The results will be taken into consideration when building the ERRAC strategic priorities for the open calls for proposal of Horizon 2020 (2014-2020), the successor of the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development.

In addition, the results made available from TRANSFEU will push the state of the art in the field of fire safety and will be taken into consideration in the subsequent update of the ERRAC Strategic Rail Reserach and Innovation Agenda

(SRRIA) as well the implementation roadmaps.



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1.5. USE AND DISSEMINATION OF FOREGROUND

The extension of the dissemination will not only cover the rail sector but the entire fire safety engineering community:

• Fire Safety authorities (UK Fire and Rescue Service, Health & Safety Executive);

• Fire safety consultancies;

• Government Departments responsible for Transport and for Fire Safety (UK Department of Communities and Local Government, Depart of Transport);

• IMO and ISO/TC92/SC4;

• Administrations (regulators),

• Operators and manufacturers in general;

• Marine sector and coaches/buses have also been informed;

UNIFE, the European Rail Industry, will remain as one of the key players at European level to further disseminate the results to:

• Its members, the rail manufacturing industry

• Key sector associations present in Brussels and in Europe, such as but not exclusively, UIC and UITP.

Each partner of TRANSFEU has participated to a number of conferences, in which they disseminated the project. This list can be found in this document.

It is not excluded that the partners can also further disseminate the project results after the project ends.

In addition, the TRANSFEU public website will remain alive and updated when relevant information should be published.

1. FINAL PUBLISHABLE SUMMARY REPORT 1.5. USE AND DISSEMINATION OF FOREGROUND

Grant Agreement number: 233786

Project acronym: TRANSFEU

Project title: Transport Fire Safety Engineering in the European Union

Funding Scheme: Collaborative project

Period covered: From 01 April 2009 to 30 November 2012

Project website address: www.TRANSFEU.eu

Contact: Bénédicte Heuze, Fire Safety Expert, Laboratoire national de métrologie et d’essais (LNE)

Tel: +33 (0)1 30 69 12 90

Fax: +33 1 30 69 12 34

E-mail: [email protected]

PROJECT FINAL REPORT

www.TRANSFEU.eu

mailto:[email protected]

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