Trains have been moving across the land for over 200 years. They remain a modern mode of conveyance because they are so efficient. Plus, they are versatile. Trains can transport all manner of freight as well as passengers.
Trains offer many advantages over highway transport of people and materials. Some include:
- For passengers, trains are safer than cars or buses.
- Trains are more cost efficient for both freight and passenger travel.
- Trains are more environmentally friendly than trucks for shipping freight.
- Trains are more reliable in terms of keeping to a schedule.
- Trains can move much larger loads than trucks.
Most modern trains run off of electricity in some configuration. Diesel-electric trains use diesel generators to produce the electricity used to drive traction motors. Purely electric trains receive electricity from overhead lines or a third rail to power the traction motors. It takes quite a bit of electricity to power a train. All this electrical current must be managed carefully to ensure the power gets to where it needs to go and remains confined to the electrical circuitry.
The Fire Risk
Whether the electricity is produced onboard the train or harvested from external sources, there will always be electrical equipment, cabinets, and drives. Since these components are directly involved in using or managing high volumes of electricity, there is an associated fire risk. A fire can originate from overheated motors, short circuits, arcing, or other electrical faults.
A fire in any of these electrical areas can have immediate negative effects on the control of the train. This not only affects the life safety of those on the train, but it may also affect the life safety of those near the rail line.
While the potential risk to life safety is enormous, there is also considerable value in the train itself. Trains represent an immense financial investment. A fire that damages even a portion of the train will carry a high price tag.
Aside from the life safety risk and the cost of direct fire damage, there are also the loss-of-service costs. Losing a key component like the locomotive can cause substantial delays, lost revenue, and damage to the company image.
The Solution
Providing highly effective fire protection in control cabinets and areas that house electrical equipment and electric drives is paramount. The Stat-X® total flooding condensed aerosol fire suppression system is an ideal choice for all these enclosures. The compact design of Stat-X units allows them to be easily installed in tight spaces without affecting other components.
Stat-X electrical units can be connected to fire detection systems for activation, or the thermal units can be specified to activate at a pre-determined temperature. The rapid response of a Stat-X system can quickly suppress fires while they are manageable, thereby protecting life safety while reducing damage and train downtime.
Stat-X Fire Suppression Features:
- Effective Agent Performance
Highly effective based on required density - Compact and Modular
Offering adaptable design especially when space and weight are critical - Simple and Economic Installation
No piping, special bracing, or pipe support materials are required as they can be complex, confusing, and costly, this results in significant savings on parts and labor - Durable
Ideal for harsh environments and remote locations - Long service life
Service life of fifteen (15) years - Virtually Maintenance Free
No cylinder weighing requirement or leakage risks - U.S. EPA SNAP listed for normally occupied and unoccupied spaces
Regulatory certainty
No risk of future regulations interrupting supply - Environmentally Friendly
Zero potential for global warming or ozone depletion - Made in the USA
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