Railways to use Simulation Software for Fire Safety on Running Trains

Railways to use Simulation Software for Fire Safety on Running Trains

Chennai (MAS):  All on-board carriage and wagon staff should be given preliminary fire-fighting training such as the use of fire extinguishers, the Railway Board has said.

Under a memorandum of understanding between the Railway Ministry and the French National Railways, fire simulation software had been created recently at the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), Lucknow. It was now being utilised for further study of the fire behaviour of materials under various conditions.

These steps taken by the Railways, as part of their efforts to ensure fire safety on trains, have been listed in an affidavit counter to a public interest litigation petition.

The petitioner, R.Kannan Govindarajulu of Kilmaruvathur in Kancheepuram district, an ex-serviceman, said fire accidents on running trains had become frequent. They occurred in remote areas, making access to rescue teams difficult. Many passengers died of heavy bleeding. Hence, effective fire-fighting and first aid methods were required.

The counter, filed by T.Venkatasubramanian, Chief Rolling Stock Engineer, Mechanical Department, Southern Railway, detailed the steps taken for fire-safety, including fire-retardant furnishing material in coaches.

The Railways submitted that for improving evacuation from air-conditioned compartments in case of a fire, the board had recently said AC compartments with doors that could be opened from both sides could be developed. At present, the doors opened only inside the compartment. A fire test lab was also being set up at the RDSO to have a better understanding of the fire-worthiness of various materials that go in coach-furnishing.

Two different committees had been constituted for a comprehensive fire safety audit of materials used in coach construction and its maintenance, system of checking for carrying inflammable materials on trains, availability of fire extinguishers and training of staff in handling fire and fire-safety equipment.

The First Bench, comprising Chief Justice S.K.Kaul and Justice M.Sathyanarayanan, treated the petition as closed.