HARDWARE & SECURITY
Supplying safety critical
products to the rail industry
» THE UK RAILWAY INDUSTRY HAS SET
out its plans for the future of the rail
sector, including completion of major
projects, clean air policies and a long-
term plan for infrastructure renewals and
enhancements. With more investment
and commitment predicted for the
industry, Andy Hewitt, Product Manager
for ASSA ABLOY High Security and
Safety Group, Rail Products, looks at
what is needed to supply the best
products and solutions for rail projects.
As a Group we have been supplying
security and safety solutions to the rail
sector for over 100 years and as such
we’re aware of the many complexities
involved specifying products for rail
projects, which are very different to
securing a building. Considerations
around ease of use, product quality and
wider issues around supplying on-scale
and on-time all impact on a project’s
delivery, but ultimately safety and
security must be the key consideration.
Safety Critical
Any locking systems or safety products
supplied to the railway industry are
classed as ‘safety critical’ items and
therefore must conform to specific Rail
Standards for Safety Critical Items. In
addition, the company supplying these
products must be accredited as a safety
critical supplier by an independent body.
ASSA ABLOY High Security and Safety
Group (previously Pickersgill - Kaye)
was one of the first companies to be
accredited back in 1994 and has remained
an accredited supplier ever since.
Products supplied for use on rolling
stock is by, its very nature safety critical,
securing doors that are used daily by
the rail users must operate reliably and
safely. ASSA ABLOY products are not only
supported by the exacting requirements
of industry standards but are also backed
up by years of experience gained working
within the industry and having a detailed
knowledge of changes to legislation put
in place to protect both the public and the
experienced rail staff.
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Product Development
The security, access and safety needs
on the UK’s railways is constantly changing
and therefore products and solutions must
continually adapt to meet these needs.
Locking systems in particular are
subject to high usage and the dynamics
of a moving train, shock and vibration at
speeds of up to 140 mph, this must be
taken into consideration when designing
products for this sector. An example of how
this has developed is in the change from
traditional slam door trains where the door
could be, and sometimes was, opened
when the train was moving at speed, to the
replacement of all slam doors with power
operated doors. These doors cannot
be opened unless the train is stationary
and only then when the guard or driver
allows.
Another development High Security
and Safety Group has been working on is
the enhanced safety of Diesel Locomotive
driver doors, where previously fingers
being trapped was a concern, the new
design has significantly reduced this. The
Group has designed, manufactured and
fitted a prototype locking system that
drastically reduces the chances of fingers
becoming trapped. The prototype is now
in-service undergoing assessment, not
only by train drivers, but by the locomotive
operators’ safety representatives and the
train drivers’ unions.
ASSA ABLOY Opening
Solutions UK & Ireland, High
Security & Safety (CLCS)
The High Security & Safety Group,
a unit of ASSA ABLOY Opening
Solutions UK & Ireland, is a leading
manufacturer of high security
solutions for the custodial, utilities,
finance, government, secure
education and healthcare markets.
We also manufacture safety systems
which are widely used in the rail
transport sector. We work closely with
experts and industry professionals
to design, manufacture, install and
maintain complete systems for UK
and international projects.
Investment is continuing into the UK
railway network, whether that’s on large-
scale projects like HS2 or enhancements
to existing systems. The products
and solutions which ensure the safety
and security on these projects, must
not only adhere to the relevant safety
requirements but should come from
suppliers with an established heritage
and understanding of the sector.
ASSA ABLOY High Security and Safety
Group is committed to innovation and
quality across all its railway solutions.
For further information on the full range
of infrastructure products, visit
www.assaabloyopeningsolutions.co.uk
MAR/APR 2020
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