Nexans helps boost train fire safety with new FLAMEX® SI-FR Rolling Stock cables

Rail transportation plays an integral role in the global transportation industry with a steady growth in rail passenger transport observed between 2011 and 20151 and around 416 billion tonkilometers traveling by train freight in Europe alone in 2015 . Seeking to boost passenger railway fire safety, Nexans, the leading global supplier of industrial cabling solutions, has launched its innovative FLAMEX® SI-FR line of fire-resistant cable products for critical power and control systems used in trains. The new cables maintain circuit integrity during a fire, enabling conductors and operators to travel out of compromising situations to safety if a fire were to break out. All FLAMEX® cables also help limit the spread of potential fires and the release of harmful smoke.

FLAMEX® SI-FR cables can withstand the harsh operating conditions on rolling stock such as variations in temperature, snow, rain, sunlight and heavy vibrations. They are particularly suitable where high temperatures are required to save weight as the cables can operate at up to 170°C with a maximum operating voltage of 3 or 6 kV. Yannick Goutille, Rolling Stock Product Manager at Nexans said, “FLAMEX® SI-FR meets the expectations of customers that are designing rolling stock equipments and that are handling the products.”

In the rail industry, tunnels can quickly turn from transportation convenience to potentially lethal enclosures if a fire breaks out. When flames start roaring through rail cars, it is essential to maintain power and control system operation to ensure the train can continue on to a safe place. Nexans’ FLAMEX® FR cables enable the continuous flow of power needed for emergency systems to function reliably when needed most, providing improved safety for operators and fire response personnel. Yannick Goutille said, “Safety is a key concern for Nexans and our customers, transit authorities and manufacturers. Addressing this concern is our top priority. This new FLAMEX® range meets the most stringent regulations in the industry while maintaining performance, and therefore safety.”

In addition to being fire retardant, the new FLAMEX® range of power, control and communication cables are also designed to emit low levels of smoke during fire. The cables are compliant with EN 45545-2 requirements for the highest hazard level class, and meet fire resistance requirements laid out by EN 50200 or IEC 60331 standards. The range is also asbestos free and RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) compliant.

About Nexans

Nexans brings energy to life through an extensive range of cables and cabling solutions that deliver increased performance for our customers worldwide. Nexans’ teams are committed to a partnership approach that supports customers in four main business areas: Power transmission and distribution (submarine and land), Energy resources (Oil & Gas, Mining and Renewables), Transportation (Road, Rail, Air, Sea) and Building (Commercial, Residential and Data Centers). Nexans’ strategy is founded on continuous innovation in products, solutions and services, employee development, customer training and the introduction of safe, low environmental-impact industrial processes. In 2013, Nexans became the first cable player to create a Foundation to introduce sustained initiatives for access to energy for disadvantaged communities worldwide.

Nexans is an active member of Europacable, the European Association of Wire & Cable Manufacturers, and a signatory of the Europacable Industry Charter. The Charter expresses its members' commitment to the principles and objectives of developing ethical, sustainable and high-quality cables. Nexans, acting for the energy transition, has an industrial presence in 40 countries, commercial activities worldwide, is employing close to 26,000 people and generating sales in 2016 of 5.8 billion euros. Nexans is listed on Euronext Paris, compartment A.