Passenger Equipment Safety Standards

Subpart B

Safety Planning & General Requirements

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Module Objectives
        - Apply FRA Passenger Equipment Safety Standards when inspecting passenger equipment
        - Identify deviations from the standards
        - Determine if an inspection, testing and maintenance plan is in compliance based on a given case study
        - Determine if a training, qualification and designation program is in compliance based on a given case study

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Fire Safety - 238.103New Equipment
        - Materials used in the construction of passenger cars or cab of a locomotive ordered on or after September 8, 2000, or placed in service on or after September 9, 2002, shall meet smoke emission test criteria as specified in Appendix B or special approval procedure under 238.21
        - Materials used in the rebuild, refurbishment, or overhaul of a passenger car or cab of a locomotive, shall meet smoke emission test criteria as specified in Appendix B or special approval procedure under 238.21
        - These criteria are based on empirical analysis which generally, will not require validation by the FRA Field Inspector

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Second bullet compliance date is November 8, 1999

Last bullet in essence is stating that railroads are required to do a written fire safety analysis (certification)...inspectors may ask information pertaining to following information if there is reason to suspect that a written analysis wasn’t done;

Fire safety analysis for procuring new passenger equipment. In procuring new passenger equipment, each railroad shall ensure that fire safety considerations and features in the design of the equipment reduce the risk of personal injury and equipment damage caused by fire to an acceptable level using MIL-STD-882C as a guide or an alternative, formal safety methodology. To this end, each railroad shall complete a written fire safety analysis for the passenger equipment being procured. In conducting the analysis, the railroad shall - 

Take effective steps to design the equipment to be sufficiently fire resistant so that fire detection devices permit evacuation of all passengers and crewmembers before fire, smoke, or toxic fumes cause injury to any passenger or crewmember.

Identify, analyze, and prioritize the fire hazards inherent in the design of the equipment.

Reasonably ensure that a ventilation system in the equipment does not contribute to the lethality of a fire.

Identify in writing any train component that is a risk of initiating fire and which requires overheat protection. An overheat detector shall be installed in any component when the analysis determines that an overheat detector is necessary.

Identify in writing any unoccupied train compartment that contains equipment or material that poses a fire hazard, and analyze the benefit provided by including a fire or smoke detection system in each compartment so identified. A fire or smoke detector shall be installed in any unoccupied compartment when the analysis determines that such equipment is necessary to ensure sufficient time for the safe evacuation of passengers and crewmembers from the train. For purposes of this section, an unoccupied train compartment means any part of the equipment structure that is not normally occupied during operation of the train, including a closet, baggage compartment, food pantry, etc.

Determine whether any occupied or unoccupied space requires a portable fire extinguisher and, if so, the proper type and size of the fire extinguisher for each location. As required by 239.101 of this chapter, each passenger car is required to have a minimum of one portable fire extinguisher. If the analysis performed indicates that one or more additional portable fire extinguishers are needed, such shall be installed.

On a case-by-case basis, the railroad shall analyze the benefit provided by including a fixed, automatic fire-suppression system in any unoccupied train compartment that contains equipment or material that poses a fire hazard, and determine the proper type and size of the automatic fire-suppression system for each location. A fixed, automatic fire suppression system shall be installed in any unoccupied compartment when the analysis determines that such equipment is practical and necessary to ensure sufficient time for the safe evacuation of passengers and crewmembers from the train.

Describe the analysis and testing necessary to - 

Demonstrate that the fire protection approach taken in the design of the equipment will meet the fire protection requirements of this part, and

Select materials which help provide sufficient fire resistance to reasonably ensure adequate time to detect a fire and safely evacuate the passengers and crewmembers.

Explain how safety issues are resolved in relation to cost and performance issues in the design of the equipment to reduce the risk of each fire hazard.

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Fire SafetyExisting Equipment
        - Passenger railroads are required to conduct a fire safety analysis of materials used in existing passenger cars or locomotive cabs to determine which materials comply with the smoke emission test criteria as specified in Appendix B
        - Passenger railroads are required to conduct yet another fire safety analysis no later than July 10, 2003, to determine compliance with Appendix B
        - If materials do not meet test criteria, remedial action shall be taken to reduce the risk of exposure
        - Railroads are not required to replace materials on existing equipment that does not meet the test criteria
        - If equipment is placed in a new category of service, a new fire safety analysis shall be performed prior to transfer when possible, but no later than 90 days after transfer

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Reducing the risk can be a change in method of operation, eliminating some of the material, fire detection or suppression  systems

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Fire SafetyContinued
        - Railroads are required to develop and adopt written procedures for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of all fire safety systems and fire safety equipment on the passenger equipment it operates
        - FRA Inspectors should periodically monitor/review inspection, testing and maintenance written procedures against actual application by railroad employees to determine compliance and effectiveness

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Train Hardware & Software Safety238.105
        - Applies to passenger equipment ordered on or after September 8, 2000, and such components implemented or modified in new or existing equipment on or after September 9, 2002 
        - Safety systems using high technologies to control  and monitor safety functions on passenger equipment
        - Hardware and software that controls or monitors passenger equipment safety functions shall include design feature(s) that result in a safe condition in the event of a computer hardware or software failure

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Inspection,Testing & Maintenance238.107 
        - This section contains general provisions requiring railroads to develop detailed plans for inspecting, testing, and maintaining Tier I equipment
        - Railroad has flexibility to tailor these plans to accommodate their own operating environment 
        - Upon request, railroads shall furnish to FRA the following information;

Inspection procedures, intervals, and criteria,

Test procedures and intervals,

Scheduled preventive maintenance intervals,

Maintenance procedures, and

Special testing equipment or measuring devices required to perform inspections and tests.

Note: Advance FRA approval not required.

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Inspection,Testing & MaintenanceContinued
        - These plans are not intended to address employee working conditions or issues relating to employee safety during the course of conducting inspections, tests, and maintenance of passenger equipment
        - Inspection, testing, and maintenance plans must be reviewed annually by the railroad
        - FRA Inspectors should periodically monitor/review inspection, testing and maintenance plans against actual application by railroad employees to determine compliance and effectiveness

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Training, Qualification & Designation Program - 238.109 
        - Railroad shall have a training, qualification, and designation program for employees and contractors who perform safety related inspection, testing and maintenance of passenger equipment
        - For purposes of this section, a "contractor" is defined as a person under contract with the railroad or an employee of a person under contract with the railroad to perform any of the tasks required by this part

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TQ&D Specifics13 Elements

	The training, qualification and designation program must contain the following 13 minimum elements;

Identify the tasks related to the inspection, testing, and maintenance required by this part that must be performed on each type of equipment that the railroad operates,

Develop written procedures for the performance of the tasks identified in item 1,

Identify the skills and knowledge necessary to perform each task identified in item 1,

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TQ&D SpecificsContinued

Adopt a training curriculum that includes classroom and "hands-on" lessons designed to impart the skills and knowledge identified as necessary to perform each task identified in item 1. The training curriculum shall specifically address the Federal regulatory requirements contained in this part that are related to the performance of the tasks identified,

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TQ&D SpecificsContinued

Require all employees and contractors to successfully complete the training course that covers the equipment and tasks for which they are responsible that are required by this part as well as the specific Federal regulatory requirements contained in this part related to equipment and tasks for which they are responsible,

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TQ&D SpecificsContinued

Require all employees and contractors to pass an examination (written or oral), covering the equipment and tasks for which they are responsible that are required by this part as well as the specific Federal regulatory requirements contained in this part related to equipment and tasks for which they are responsible,

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Comment that preamble indicates oral as well.  

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TQ&D SpecificsContinued

Require all employees and contractors to individually demonstrate "hands-on" capability to successfully perform the tasks required by this part that must be performed as part of their duties on the type equipment to which they are assigned,

Require supervisors to complete the program that covers the employees whom they supervise, including refresher training,

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TQ&D SpecificsContinued

Require supervisors to exercise oversight to ensure that all the identified tasks are performed in accordance with the railroad's written procedures,

Designate in writing that each employee and contractor has the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the safety-related tasks that are part of his or her job,

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TQ&D SpecificsContinued

Require periodic refresher training, at an interval not to exceed three years, that includes classroom and "hands-on" training, as well as testing; except, employees and contractors that have completed their initial training under this part prior to January 1, 2002, shall not be required to complete their first periodic refresher training until four years after the completion of their initial training, and every three years thereafter,

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TQ&D SpecificsContinued

Add new equipment to the qualification and designation program prior to its introduction to revenue service, and

Maintain records adequate to demonstrate that each employee and contractor performing safety-related tasks on passenger equipment is currently qualified to do so. These records shall be adequate to distinguish the qualifications of the employee or contractor as a qualified person or as a qualified maintenance person.

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TQ&D Compliance
        - FRA Inspectors should periodically monitor/review TQ&D programs against actual application by railroad employees to determine compliance and effectiveness

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Provide examples on how to do this, e.g. acquisition of new equipment, inspection of records to see if refresher training is being done, ability to do work, etc.

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Practice 
        - Refer to case study in handout

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Pre-revenue Service Acceptance Testing Plan238.111
        - Limited testing (compatibility tests), of equipment required for equipment previously used in U.S. prior to placing it in revenue service
        - Detailed testing of equipment required for equipment placed in revenue service for the first time that has not been previously used in the U.S.
        - Actual approval of test plan required by FRA prior to placing Tier II equipment in revenue service
        - Tier I equipment must also have test plan submitted to FRA, but FRA approval not required prior to placing equipment in revenue service, provided plan is submitted 30 days in advance
        - These criteria are based on empirical analysis which generally, will not require validation by the FRA Field Inspector

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Bullet one refers to the acquisition of equipment previously used in the U.S. but, perhaps not on that particular railroad.  This bullet also refers to new equipment that may have been built to exact specifications to existing equipment.

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Emergency Window Exits  238.113
        - Emergency windows exits in passenger equipment ordered after September 8, 2000, and placed in service for the first time after September 9, 2002,  shall be unobstructed and have dimensions of 26 inches wide by 24 inches high
        - Each passenger car shall have a minimum of four emergency window exits in staggered configuration when practicable, or one on each end of each side of car
        - Multi-level passenger cars shall have four on each main level and arranged as indicated above
        - Sleeping compartments intended for crew members or passengers shall have a minimum of one emergency window exit in each compartment
        - Emergency window exits shall be designed to permit  rapid and easy removal without the use of tools 

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New equipment...applies to Tier I and Tier II equipment

Part 223 also requires 4 emergency window exits...223 would cover existing equipment

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Emergency Lighting238.115
        - Emergency lighting applies to each passenger car ordered on or after September 8, 2000, or placed in service for the first time on or after September 9, 2002

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Emergency Lighting Requirements

	Emergency lighting in passenger cars shall consist of the following;
        - Provide an average illumination of 1 foot-candle, measured at floor level, at each exterior and interior door providing access to an exterior door such as a door opening to a vestibule, on each level of a passenger car, 
        - Provide and average illumination of 1 foot-candle, measured 25 inches above floor level along the center line of each aisle and passageway,
        - Provide a minimum illumination level of 0.1 foot-candle above floor level at any point along the center line of each aisle and passageway, and

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Apples to new equipment

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Emergency Lighting Requirements - Continued

	Have a back-up power system capable of;
        - Operate on all equipment orientations within 45 degrees of vertical,
        - Operate after initial shock of a collision or derailment (specific loads),
        - Function for at least 90 minutes without a loss of more than 40% of minimum illumination levels previously discussed

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Protection Against Personal Injury238.117
        - All passenger equipment (except private cars), shall be equipped with appropriate guards or interlocks to minimize the risk of personal injury relating to high voltage equipment, electrical conductors and switches, and hot fluids or gasses.

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Section applies to existing equipment as well

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Rim-stamped Straight Plate Wheels238.119
        - Except as provided below, rim-stamped straight plate wheels are prohibited from use in a passenger vehicle if the shoe acts on the tread of the wheel for the purpose of slowing the vehicle.  Subject wheels may not be used as replacement wheels on a private car if the shoe acts on the tread of the wheel for the purpose of slowing the car.

	Exceptions include the following;

Commuter railroad with subject wheel mounted on an inboard-bearing axle until existing inventory has been depleted as of May 12, 1999, provided railroad does not modify operation in any way resulting in increased thermal loads on wheel during braking,

Tread-braking of short duration by automatic circuitry for the sole purpose of cleaning the wheel tread surface.

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End of Module 2
        - Take a break!!!

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