In the wake of the fire in the Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani Express, the railways have set off the process of getting a sensor-based four-tier smoke detector system in all its trains to avoid a repeat incident.
In the wake of the fire in the Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani Express, the railways have set off the process of getting a sensor-based four-tier smoke detector system in all its trains to avoid a repeat incident.
At present trains do not have a proper fire alarm system and the new technology is expected to offer a first-of-its-kind solution.
The trials have already begun on one Rajdhani Express train in north India and would soon cover all other trains. The systems
will be installed in all trains subsequent to the railway ministry’s approval.
In addition to a smoke-free fire alarm system, the Research, Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) wing of the railways is working on a fire simulation software. The software, being prepared in collaboration with the French Railway, the SNCF, will help the railways learn the cause behind fires and how to avoid such accidents. A dedicated fire simulation software facility will also be set-up at RDSO in Lucknow.
A senior official said that the sensors will check the air quality in the train and if smoke is found, will set off the alarm. The thicker the smoke density, the higher the level of the alarm. Of the four levels, the first three will be various visual levels and the fourth one will be an audio one. The train supervisor or the guard will be responsible for monitoring the alarms at a central place in the train.
Last week, passengers on the Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani Express had a close shave when a fire started in the train’s pantry, near
Ratlam. Railway staff had to evacuate passengers and uncouple three coaches.
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