Fire Suppression for Rolling Stock Depots & Train Stations
When considering fire protection for rolling stock, the train itself receives the most attention. First, it is on the conveyance where passengers and crew will be concentrated. And second, when in transit, the risk of fire occurring in rural areas away from fire suppression resources is high.
But the depots and train stations also contain myriad of components which, from a fire protection standpoint, also require careful consideration.
The Problem
By their nature, rolling stock depots are often crowded places, so there is a significant life-safety exposure. Many stations are also underground or partially enclosed. This makes egress problematic and can result in exposure to the toxic byproducts of combustion.
When you examine the fire risks contained within a rolling stock depot or station, you will find many electrically oriented or Class C risks such as:
- Tech rooms
- Battery back-up and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) rooms
- Control rooms
- Switch rooms
- Power generator rooms
- Electrical substations
Fires with an electrical origin are all too common. When a Class C fire erupts, it often becomes large quickly and can be difficult to extinguish. If a fire occurs in an underground station, then the difficulty in extinguishing it increases exponentially.
The aftermath of a fire at a rolling stock depot can be substantial, as a fire of any significance can put the station out of service for months. When equipment—e.g., signaling equipment—is damaged, this puts trains on the move in jeopardy. Critical equipment such as this, that must be fully and properly repaired before the line can again become fully operational.
As is often the case, indirect damage from a fire can exceed direct fire loss. The loss of ridership for passenger trains and reduced freight capacity can quickly add up to a substantial economic impact. Because customers are forced to find a workaround, many may never return to using the rolling stock service due to the fire. Direct damage can be considerable too, particularly if technical or control rooms are involved.
The Fire Suppression Objective
The ideal fire suppression system for rolling stock depot fire protection is a quick-acting system that is proven to effectively handle Class A and Class C fire risks that will likely be present. The objective is to detect fire early in its development and then deploy a fire suppression agent that will rapidly extinguish or contain the fire.
The benefits to this approach are enormous, beginning with life safety. By suppressing the fire early, the system protects scores of lives. It prevents people from being exposed to fire and its toxic smoke. While an evacuation may be required, it is more likely to be conducted calmly when appropriate fire suppression is deployed.
Another major factor to consider with any fire suppression option is the ease of installation and servicing. A rolling stock depot that is located deep underground or in rural areas can make it difficult to install and/or support many of the legacy-type fire suppression systems such as sprinklers and clean agent gas systems. These systems require extensive piping and often their own room in which to house the complex equipment and often pressurized components. They also have strict testing and maintenance requirements which adds significantly to their lifetime costs.
Lastly, the fire suppression agent must be safe for people and the environment. Currently, this is a growing concern. There are a number of fire suppression agents that are being taken off the market or having their production severely curtailed. This is because they have been found to pose health hazards to humans, contribute to global warming, or have ozone depletion potential. Consequently, many organizations are finding themselves faced with the costly problem of replacing their fire suppression system.
The Stat-X® Solution
There is a system that has all the benefits needed in a fire suppression system while avoiding all of the downsides found with many agents currently available: Stat-X.
Stat-X is proven to be effective on Class C fires and mitigating the risk of thermal runaway propagation in lithium-ion battery fires. The proprietary, potassium-based agent acts quickly to interrupt the chemical reaction needed to sustain a fire and remains suspended for several minutes to provide reflash protection.
Further, Stat-X units are self-contained, and they can either be installed as a system tied to fire detection equipment, or installed in a standalone fashion where the unit is activated at a predetermined temperature. The compact units have no piping requirements, are virtually maintenance-free, and have a long service life. Also important, they can easily be retrofitted in existing spaces without the need for costly infrastructure work.
Aside from Stat-X’s effectiveness, one of its best features is the safety of the agent. Stat-X is safe to use in normally occupied areas. It has zero global-warming potential, zero ozone-depletion potential, and zero atmospheric life. It also requires minimal cleanup after use.
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 required, resulting 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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