EN 45545-2: EPDM moulded hoses for rail vehicles
Technical rubber goods in rail vehicles must be designed to meet defined requirements in the event of fire. For this, JRT makes EPDM moulded hoses from a tested compound matched to EN 45545-2.
What EN 45545-2 covers
EN 45545-2 sets the fire behaviour requirements for materials and components in rail vehicles. It covers flammability, smoke development and the toxicity of the fire gases produced, among other things. The standard is part 2 of the EN 45545 series and uses the operation and design categories from EN 45545-1. In Germany, DIN EN 45545-2:2023-12, the German version of EN 45545-2:2020+A1:2023, currently applies.
EN 45545 came into force in July 2013. Since 1 April 2016, national standards such as DIN 5510-2 for fire protection in rail vehicles are no longer applied, only EN 45545.
- 01
Operation and design category
Open line or tunnel, standard, automatic, double-deck or sleeping car.
- 02
Hazard level
HL1HL2HL3 - 03
Requirement set
R22 · INTERIORR23 · EXTERIOR - 04
Testing
Flammability, smoke density and toxicity of the compound.
- 05
Documentation
Test report on fire protection, for your part on request.
Hazard levels HL1 to HL3
A vehicle’s operation category and design category determine its hazard level (HL). For each hazard level, EN 45545-2 sets test methods, test conditions and fire behaviour requirements.
Operation category and design category
The operation category mainly depends on the time an evacuation takes. It distinguishes operation on open lines, in tunnels under or over 5 km long, and operation without the possibility of side evacuation. The design category distinguishes standard vehicles (N), automatically operated vehicles without trained emergency staff on board (A), double-deck vehicles (D) and sleeping cars (S).
Which level applies when
The rail vehicle manufacturer usually specifies the operation and design categories to the component manufacturer.
Requirement sets R22 and R23
Which tests a material or component must pass is defined by a requirement set, or R set. It bundles several requirements, for example on smoke development and toxic gases, with the associated test methods. Listed components appear with their R set in a table of the standard, grouping rules apply to unlisted ones.
Requirement set R22 applies to components inside the vehicle, including pipes and hoses. R23 applies to the corresponding components outside the vehicle. Depending on the hazard level, an R set places different requirements on combustibility, smoke density and smoke toxicity. The standard has its own test rule for hoses, pipes and elastomer profiles.
JRT’s EPDM moulded hoses
The moulded hoses are intended for demanding installations in rail vehicles where standard solutions often fall short. Tight spaces, special geometries or safety-critical applications call for precisely fitting hoses with high load capacity. The compound can be used for requirement sets R22 and R23 at levels HL1 and HL2.
Properties · 4
- EPDM compound, tested, sulphur-cured and halogen-free
- REACH and RoHS compliant
- designed to meet the requirements for flammability, smoke development and toxicity
- suitable for safety-critical applications in rail and fire protection
Designed for the application
Whether a moulded hose works in the vehicle depends on material and geometry as well as its resistance to media and temperature and its mechanical load capacity. JRT therefore adapts the EPDM moulded hoses to the requirement profile and designs them for the specific application. On request JRT issues a test report on fire protection.
For other fire protection applications too
The rail industry is the main target group for these moulded hoses, and its requirement profile shaped the development and testing of the material. The same tested quality can also be of interest in other areas where fire protection is required. JRT supports you in selecting suitable materials, in the technical design and in producing individual hose solutions.
FAQ: EN 45545-2 and EPDM moulded hoses
What does EN 45545-2 cover?
The fire behaviour requirements for materials and components in rail vehicles, graded by hazard level.
What do HL1, HL2 and HL3 mean?
These are the hazard levels of the standard. They result from the operation category and design category of the vehicle, HL3 being the highest level.
What do R22 and R23 mean?
They are requirement sets of EN 45545-2. R22 applies to components such as pipes and hoses inside the vehicle, R23 to such components outside.
Which requirements is JRT’s EPDM compound suitable for?
The compound is suitable for R22 and R23 at levels HL1 and HL2.
Which edition of the standard currently applies?
In Germany DIN EN 45545-2:2023-12. It replaces the 2020-10 edition and includes amendment A1:2023.
Are the moulded hoses halogen-free?
Yes. The EPDM compound is sulphur-cured and halogen-free and complies with REACH and RoHS.