Contractors specifying conduit systems for use on the London Underground – be it on rolling stock or in stations – should always ensure that materials fully comply with relevant standards, advises Adaptaflex, part of the Cable Management Products group of companies.
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Although not a part of history that we wish to be reminded of it is now almost twenty years on from the Kings Cross Station fire, the disaster, which tragically resulted in a significant loss of life. This event subsequently resulted in a major overhaul of design and safety procedures on the London Underground.
With safety an absolute priority, it has been London Underground Limited’s (LU) policy for many years to control the fire performance of materials used throughout the London Underground, with further stringent requirements in addition to those required by legislation alone. These exacting standards are set out in LU’s Code of Practice (CoP), with conduit systems falling under the Miscellaneous Items Section (Section VI) of the Fire Safety of Materials Used in the Underground. In order to comply, all products must pass all three separate tests on flammability (Flammability Temperature Index, or FTI), smoke density (BS6853 App B5.1) and toxicity (EDAX).
There is also a further important distinction between Limited and General Use – General Use refers to critical application areas or large grouped areas of product. Materials qualified for Limited Use can be used in less critical areas or where small amounts of product are required. If a product is suitable for General Use, it can be used without constraint in any LU application.
Both the Adaptaflex type PK and LFH-SP conduit systems meet the General Use criteria set by London Underground and have the additional assurance of meeting the highest Approval standard (Class 1) under LU’s ‘Materials for Use in Underground Locations’. Ultimately this means that both systems are totally compliant, and can be used without constraint and can therefore be confidently installed within any area of the entire network.
“Over many years we have liaised closely with LU and the PPP partners Metronet and Tubelines to ensure that our products meet the high and exacting standards required”, said Meirion Buck of Adaptaflex. He added, “This relationship, coupled with consistent product development, rigorous testing, (in association with Rapra and Bodycoat Warrington Fire Research) and high quality manufacturing techniques, means that OEMs and contractors alike working on LU projects can rely on Adaptaflex products to perform to the level required within both safety and life critical environments.”
In addition to supply of products, Adaptaflex can assist contractors when compiling Materials Inventories for submission to LU, detailing the relevant technical information and test reports on Adaptaflex conduit systems. According to Meirion Buck, “Twenty years on from Kings Cross, the London Underground is undergoing a major transformation as part of Transport for London’s 5 year investment plan to 2010 in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games. Adaptaflex give specifiers and contractors alike a fast track to full compliance to exacting LU standards for conduit systems.”
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