BS EN 45545-2-2020 + A1-2023 PDF

Full title and description

BS EN 45545-2:2020 + A1:2023 — Railway applications — Fire protection on railway vehicles — Part 2: Requirements for fire behaviour of materials and components. This consolidated edition incorporates Amendment A1 (2023) into the EN 45545-2:2020 text and sets out reaction-to-fire performance, smoke and toxicity requirements, and test/assessment routes for materials and components used in rolling stock.

Abstract

EN 45545-2 specifies the fire behaviour requirements (flame spread, heat release, smoke production, toxicity and related test methods) for materials, sub‑assemblies and components that are part of railway vehicles. It groups materials by product categories (R1–R28) and assigns hazard levels (HL1, HL2, HL3) based on vehicle type and service conditions; manufacturers demonstrate compliance using the specified test standards and classification tables. The 2020 base standard is published together with Amendment A1 (2023) in the consolidated edition.

General information

• Status: Current / Active (consolidated edition incorporating Amendment A1:2023).
• Publication date: BS adoption / consolidated publication: October 2023 (commonly listed 12–15 October 2023); Amendment A1 approved by CEN on 23 July 2023.
• Publisher: British Standards Institution (BSI) for the BS EN edition; original European text prepared under CEN/TC 256 (secretariat: DIN).
• ICS / categories: 13.220.20 (Fire protection); 45.060.01 (Railway rolling stock in general).
• Edition / version: BS EN 45545-2:2020 + A1:2023 (consolidated edition of EN 45545-2:2020 with Amendment A1 incorporated).
• Number of pages: National publications vary; the BSI (English) consolidated edition is typically listed at 54 pages (some national versions report 56–57 pages depending on national forewords/local translations).

Scope

Defines reaction-to-fire performance requirements, classification rules and test procedures for materials and components used in railway vehicles. The scope covers product grouping (R1–R28), assignment of hazard levels (HL1–HL3) dependent on vehicle type and route, required test methods for flame spread, heat release, smoke and toxicity, and the procedure to demonstrate conformity for individual products and complete technical systems. The consolidated 2020+A1 edition updates normative references, integrates new test standards and refines classification/requirements.

Key topics and requirements

• Hazard levels (HL1, HL2, HL3) mapped to operational risk and vehicle/application—higher HL = more stringent material performance requirements.
• Product categories R1–R28 (interior/exterior groupings) that determine which tests and criteria apply to a material or component.
• Mandatory test methods and performance parameters for reaction to fire: e.g., spread of flame (ISO/EN test methods), heat release rate (ISO 5660‑1), smoke density (EN ISO 5659‑2), and toxicity metrics (CIT / EN 17084 or equivalent).
• Classification tables and pass/fail thresholds for each R‑category and HL (tables in the standard set the required criteria and allowable combinations).
• Specific provisions for cables, electrical/electronic components and flooring systems (references to complementary cable standards and component test methods are integrated).
• Requirements for documentation, traceability and how to apply existing certificates during the transition period (transitional provisions are included to allow migration from older editions).

Typical use and users

Used by rolling stock designers, OEMs and suppliers of interior materials/components (seating, flooring, claddings, cables, lighting covers, seals), test laboratories, certification bodies, vehicle integrators, maintenance organisations and national/regulatory authorities for assessing and demonstrating compliance with railway fire‑safety requirements. Testing houses and product specifiers use EN 45545-2 to select appropriate test programs and to classify products against the required HL for a given application.

Related standards

Part of the EN 45545 series (EN 45545‑1 through EN 45545‑7). Key related and referenced documents include EN 45545-1 (general principles and hazard level assignment), EN 45545-3 (fire resistance of fire barriers), EN 16989 (fire behaviour test for railway products — referenced for certain product groups), EN 17084 (CIT/toxicity guidance), and a number of cable and component test standards (various EN/ISO/IEC tests referenced in clause/normative list). National adoptions (BS, DIN, NSAI, etc.) provide the official national texts.

Keywords

railway, rolling stock, fire protection, reaction to fire, smoke, toxicity, HL1, HL2, HL3, R‑categories, EN 45545, BS EN, fire testing, ISO 5660, EN ISO 5659, EN 17084, materials classification.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: EN 45545‑2 (as adopted and published as BS EN 45545‑2:2020+A1:2023) is the European / British standard that sets the reaction-to-fire, smoke and toxicity requirements and test methods for materials and components used on railway vehicles.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers product grouping (R1–R28), assignment of hazard levels (HL1–HL3), required fire/smoke/toxicity tests and classification criteria, plus documentation and conformity measures for demonstrating compliance. The 2020 text and the 2023 Amendment update normative references and specific test/application rules.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Manufacturers and suppliers of materials and components for rail vehicles, vehicle designers and integrators, test laboratories and certification bodies, and regulatory/approval authorities use the standard to specify, test and approve products for use in rolling stock.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The consolidated edition EN 45545‑2:2020 + A1:2023 supersedes the earlier EN 45545‑2:2020 (and prior 2013 editions) and is the active / current consolidated text. National adoptions (BS EN, DIN EN, etc.) were published in autumn/late 2023; organisations should check national adoption dates and any local mandates (for example, transition deadlines differ across jurisdictions).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — EN 45545 is a multipart series covering fire protection for railway vehicles. Part 1 is general, Part 2 addresses materials/components, Part 3 covers fire resistance of fire barriers, Part 4 covers design requirements, Part 5 covers electrical equipment, Part 6 covers fire control/management systems and Part 7 covers flammable liquid/gas installations.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: fire behaviour, reaction to fire, smoke, toxicity, hazard level (HL), R‑category, test methods, materials classification, rolling stock, EN 45545-2, BS EN.