The activities of FOGTEC Rail Systems are not only focused on developing and marketing fire protection systems and their applications but also include the areas of investigation of new technologies, basic research and various promotional projects.
Validation of simulation software in CFD programs based on real burning tests
By making use of CFD simulation, fluidic phenomena which are largely determined by the geometry of structural components, can be computed with a very high degree of accuracy. This method is particularly suited for detail and concept studies, thus providing an excellent supplement to system simulation in cases where the behaviour of individual structural components is of interest. Verification management based on CFD simulation is presently also tested for the extinguishing technology. In addition to complex programming processes, the validation on basis of real burning tests is also used for such purpose.
Passenger behaviour in the event of smoke generation
Before a fire-suppressing system on a rail vehicle is ready for operation, great effort and expense have to be invested into developing its components, into testing and examination, what about those who need to be protected, the passengers? How will a person behave in case of smoke formation during travelling? And this is the very point that is being investigated by FOGTEC Rail Systems team in cooperation with psychologists by performing 1:1 real tests to analyse the behaviour of passengers in such emergency situations. The results of this analysis allow to optimise evacuation times and to re-check the functionality of warning signals. A passive protection of passengers in the case of fire is as important as an active protection by means of the fire-suppressing system of FOGTEC Rail Systems.
Developing standards for verification
FOGTEC Rail Systems was one of the initiators and has been one of the main active members of the working committee “Fire Alarm Systems in Rail Vehicles”. As there had been no common standard for evaluating fire alarm systems in train vehicles, a working committee consisting of the leading fire protection experts and suppliers of fire alarm systems was formed. The work of this committee was targeted at deriving and establishing a standard laying down the requirements for the verification of fire alarm systems in rail vehicles. After approx. three years of work, this recommendation for implementation was adopted in April 2007 and has in the meantime been transferred to many countries also in an English version. The companies involved meet at regular intervals for an exchange of experience and to discuss and determine any adjustment that may have proved necessary.
Promotion of junior staff
FOGTEC Rail Systems encourages projects for promoting junior staff in training in order to counteract the lack of junior employees in the German railway industry. For this purpose, FOGTEC Rail Systems takes part in developing initiatives such as e.g. internet platforms aimed at linking companies of the railway industry on the one side with students or graduates on the other. This is considered a suitable means to intensify the communication between students and companies of the railway industry.
As an additional initiative, FOGTEC Rail Systems has become involved in reading papers and lecturing at various universities in order to enhance the awareness level of the areas of activity in which the rail vehicle industry is engaged.
