Manufacturers producing railway products such as seating, floors, and wall linings are being strongly encouraged to begin testing in accordance with the updated BS EN 45545-2:2020 standards. Ensuring compliance now will help avoid complications when these standards become mandatory.

The revised standard, titled ‘Railway applications. Fire protection on railway vehicles – Requirements for fire behaviour of materials and components’, has been effective since August 2023 in the UK. However, it is yet to be written into the National Technical Specification Notice (NTSN), which is a set of standards that define how the UK’s rail system should be designed, built, operated, and maintained as mandated by the Secretary of State for Transport in the UK.

As a result, many UK manufacturers continue to test under the older BS EN 45545-2:2013+A1:2015 standard, as the updated version has not yet been mandated through the NTSN. In contrast, the European Union has established a clear transition deadline, allowing manufacturers to use the older standard until January 1, 2026, after which compliance with the updated standard will be compulsory.

With the UK yet to confirm when the updated standard will be officially mandated, Warringtonfire, part of Element Materials Technology and a leading provider of testing, inspection, and certification, is urging manufacturers to make the switch proactively.

Dennis Tuyogon, Lead Analytical Chemist at Warringtonfire, and technical committee member of FSH/19 (Fire Precautions in Railway Vehicles), emphasised the importance of adoption: “While the EU has provided a clear timeline, UK manufacturers face uncertainty as the updated standard has not yet been incorporated into the UK Rail Standards (i.e. NTSN).

“By adopting the updated 2020 standard, you will fully meet current UK and EU requirements, making the transition straightforward and ensuring compliance with the latest regulatory expectations. Waiting for this mandate could lead to costly retesting, as products tested under the older standard may no longer comply when the new standard becomes enforced. Transitioning now not only ensures industry products deliver safe and effective fire resistance and compliance, but also provides a competitive advantage, demonstrating a commitment to current best practice.”

To support and raise awareness of the impending transition, Warringtonfire held its first Rail Seminar on October 15, 2024, bringing together customers, train builders, trade associations, and rail engineering professionals to discuss the implications of the updated standard. Building on this success, Warringtonfire plans to continue hosting quarterly seminars, with the next event scheduled for February 2025, where experts will provide detailed insights into the new regulations and their impact on the rail industry. This highlights Warringtonfire’s ongoing commitment to rail safety and its active role in shaping industry standards.

The 2020 revisions to BS EN 45545-2 incorporate updates to test methods, lessons learned from prior applications, and editorial improvements, ensuring the standard reflects the latest industry knowledge.

Dennis added: “The BS EN 45545-2 standard specifies fire safety requirements for materials and products used in railway applications, aiming to ensure the highest safety levels in the event of a fire. While the updates introduced in the 2020 version may not be drastic, they are essential for keeping testing methodologies aligned with modern standards. By transitioning now UK manufacturers can position themselves competitively and ensure their products meet evolving safety expectations.

“At Warringtonfire, we work with both EU and UK clients, and we are already testing in accordance with BS EN 45545-2:2020 We urge those UK rail engineering professionals who are yet to switch to do so now instead of waiting.”

Beside BS EN 45545-2: 2020. Warringtonfire provides fire testing, inspection, and certification for flammability, smoke density, and toxicity testing in the following areas for rail applications:

  • Smoke and Toxicity Assessment: BS EN 17084:2018+AC:2020: Method 1 (T10.01, T10.02, T10.04 and T11.01)
  • Spread of Flame: ISO 5658-2:2006+A1:2011
  • Cone Calorimeter: ISO 5660-1 (2015+A1:2019)
  • Smoke Generation: ISO 5659-2:2017
  • Gaseous Effluents Analysis: NF X 70-100 / BS EN 17084:2018: Method 2
  • Burning Behaviour by Oxygen Index: BS EN ISO 4589-2:2017

For more information on railway application fire testing, please visit: https://www.warringtonfire.com/testing-services/reaction-to-fire-testing/rail-fire-testing