Guwahati: The NFR has taken many innovative initiatives to further enhance the safety of passenger carrying trains. In recent years there were some incidents when fire broke out from either Pantry car or generator car of passenger trains causing damages. Such fire has the potential of causing loss of human life if not noticed and extinguished timely.
In NF Railway, there are 180 Power Cars and Pantry cars. These Power Cars and Pantry cars of the modern LHB rakes have a potential risk of fire in running trains due to their inherent use. Generator cars carry high quantity of diesel oil which has fire hazards associated with it. So a need was felt to control fire in case it breaks out. If fire breaks out in Power car/Pantry Car due to any reason, there must be a system to control it immediately with suitable smoke/fire detection and suppression system, stated a release.
Automatic fire detection and suppression systems are being installed in the power cars and pantry cars to address the issue of any fire hazard and provide enhanced safety to passengers.
This system is designed for early detection of smoke and fire and is capable of detecting all size of smoke particles, thus protecting entire passenger area, electrical panels, lavatory, doorway and gangway area including kitchen , generator rooms ( in case of power cars) etc. Upon detection of fire, the system suppresses the fire by ensuring automatic spraying of foam type mixture. The system is self diagnostic in nature for any fault within the system like wiring failure etc. In NF Railway, of the total 180 power cars and pantry cars, 125 numbers have already been fitted with Smoke detection and fire suppression system, the release added.