Fire protection device for rail vehicles
The subject matter relates to a fire protection device for
gangways between the coaches of rail vehicles with a gangway
between two coaches of a rail vehicle, and a fluid-fed fire-
fighting device.
Due to the provisions of the law, the capacity for fighting
fires in public passenger transport is constantly gaining in
importance. In rail transport in particular, fire-fighting
capacity is of high importance. Several hundreds of
passengers are transported in the coaches of rail vehicles.
More recent rail vehicles have open gangways between the
coaches. This results in very substantial spaces in which
fire can spread rapidly. In addition the passengers carry
easily flammable materials with them (e.g. items of clothing,
bags, etc.), and fire can spread extremely rapidly due to
these easily ignitable materials.
In particular against the background of the gangways between
two coaches, it can happen that a fire in one coach spreads
to a neighbouring coach. As already mentioned, more recent
rail vehicles have open gangways which are frequently
designed as gangway bellows. The gangways accordingly no
longer constitute natural fire protection barriers. Moreover,
the gangways themselves constitute fire loads. In particular,
the cladding of the ceilings, walls, and floors of the
gangways, as well as the bellows elements themselves, are
frequently made of plastic, such as PVC. If these plastic
burn, toxic gases are incurred, which can be life-

threatening. If the gangways are formed from other, fire-
inhibiting materials, production costs are increased
enormously. This leads to extremely expensive gangways, for
which the customers for rail vehicles, such as the railway
network operators, are unwilling to pay.
Finally, the gangways between the coaches frequently
represent the only emergency escape routes which the
passengers can use in order to evacuate the area of a fire.
Thus closing off these escape routes with a fire protection
door is excluded, since otherwise the passengers would be
trapped in the area of a fire.
For this reason, the object of the invention is to provide a
fire protection device for gangways of coaches which is
economical, has good fire protection properties, and at the
same time increases passenger safety. This object is achieved
according to the subject-matter in that the fire-fighting
device comprises at least one fluid mist nozzle which
delivers a fluid mist, wherein the at least one fluid mist
nozzle is arranged in such a way that the fluid mist is
sprayed into the gangway.
By contrast with conventional sprinkler systems which require
enormous volumes of water and which for this reason cannot be
used in rail vehicles due to the high weights involved, fluid
mist systems are particularly well-suited for fire-fighting
in rail vehicles. The fluid mist nozzles emit the fluid in
very fine droplets. In this case, droplet sizes of between 20
and 200 µm in diameter are usual. The fluid mist nozzles are
frequently fed with a fluid under high pressure. In this
case, it is possible, for example, for a pressure range of

between 10 and 60 bar to be used. It is also possible to use
a pressure range between 60 and 200 bar. A pressure range can
also even begin at 5 bar. The delivery of the fluid under
high pressure causes a very fine atomization of the fluid at
the fluid mist nozzle, as a result of which the area of the
fire is cooled. In addition, the fluid mist leads to the
formation of a fluid mist curtain, by means of which toxic
gases can at least in part be washed out. The fluid mist is
therefore suitable as a delimitation between two areas,
inasmuch as the fluid mist, as a mist haze, forms a curtain
through which a fire cannot penetrate.
Since, as indicated in the preamble, the spread of the fire
from one coach into the next should be prevented, the fluid
mist nozzle according to the invention is arranged in such a
way that the fluid mist is sprayed into the gangway. Hereby,
the gangway by means of the fluid mist forms a fire barrier,
through which the fire and the combustion gases cannot pass.
The combustion gases are at least in part washed out and
precipitated by the fluid mist.
The materials of the gangway are protected against fire by
the fluid mist, since, in the event of activation of the
fire-fighting device, the gangway is always cooled by the
fluid mist.
Finally, a small number of fluid mist nozzles in the area of
the gangway are sufficient to cool it sufficiently. In
addition, the fluid mist nozzles require only a small
quantity of fluid, such as water, in order to produce the
fluid mist. It is possible, for example, for a fluid mist to
be sustained for 10 minutes with 100 litres of water. Smaller

quantities of water are likewise possible. It has been found
that the weight saving in comparison with conventional fire
protection devices is enormous. By contrast with additional
weights of 300 to 400 kg for fire protection doors, the fire-
fighting device according to the invention, including the
fluid storage, requires a weight of approximately 100-150 kg
in order to attain the same fire protection class.
Moreover, the persons who are present in a coach in which a
fire has broken out can pass through the fluid mist into an
adjacent coach, and thus protect themselves from the fire.
Elaborate mechanical arrangements for a fire protection door
are not required.
According to an embodiment, it is proposed that the fluid
mist nozzle is arranged in at least one coach in the area of
the gangway, and a spray device of the fluid mist is arranged
in the direction of the gangway. According to this example,
the fluid mist nozzle is arranged in the coach itself. The
fluid mist nozzle in the coach is arranged in such a way that
the fluid mist is sprayed in the direction of the gangway.
For this purpose, either a fluid mist nozzle designed for
this purpose is used, which has nozzle inserts which are
arranged in the direction of the gangway, or the fluid mist
nozzle can be arranged as a whole in the direction of the
gangway. The predominant part of the fluid mist can thereby
be sprayed into the gangway. Hereby, for example, more than
20-90 % of the fluid droplets reach the gangway.
According to an embodiment, it is also proposed that the
fluid mist nozzle is arranged in the gangway. The arrangement
of the fluid mist nozzle in the gangway has the advantage, on

the one hand, that the fluid mist is produced directly in the
gangway. In addition, the gangway can be constructed together
with the fluid mist nozzle, whereby the fluid mist nozzle
already comprises an integrated fire-fighting device. The
coaches in which the gangway designed in this manner is
incorporated do not have to be designed in any special way.
Thus, a combination is possible between a gangway arranged in
this manner and the most varied types of coach, whereby a
fire-fighting arrangement is guaranteed at all times.
According to an embodiment, the fluid mist nozzle is arranged
in the floor area of the gangway. The gangway is formed in
the conventional manner from a flexible outside part, which
is delimited into the interior by interior cladding elements.
The interior cladding elements can be displaced against one
another, such that the gangway remains flexible. In the area
of the floor, for example, floor plates can be arranged,
which can be displaced against one another. The fluid mist
nozzle can be arranged, for example, beneath these floor
plates in mounts provided for this purpose. The fluid mist
nozzles can be protected in the floor area by cover plates.
The fluid mist nozzles can be designed in such a way that, in
the event of activation of the fire-fighting device, they
cause the cover plates to be released, and spray the fluid
mist into the gangway. In this case, the cover can, for
example, be released from an anchoring arrangement by the
fluid mist itself, which is provided from the fluid mist
nozzles.
It is also proposed that the fluid mist nozzle is arranged in
the side walls of the gangway. The side walls are also
frequently arranged so as to be visually attractive by means

of cladding elements. In these cladding elements the fluid
mist nozzles can be arranged in indentations provided for
this purpose. In this case, it is also possible for the fluid
mist nozzles to be arranged behind covers. In the event of
activation of the fluid mist nozzles, the covers can be
released from the anchor points, for example, by a movement
of the fluid mist nozzle or by the fluid mist itself.
According to an embodiment, it is also proposed that the
fluid mist nozzle is arranged in a ceiling area of the
gangway. As well as the floor and side areas, the ceiling
area can also be covered by a cladding. The fluid mist
nozzles can be arranged inside this cladding. The fluid mist
nozzles can in this case too be arranged in mounts, and
covered by covers, such that under normal circumstances they
cannot be seen. It is only in the event of activation that
the cover is released from an anchoring arrangement.
One particularly economical solution can be achieved in that
the fire-fighting device comprises a central fluid storage.
For example, it is possible for a central fluid storage to be
provided in a coach which feeds the fluid mist nozzles of the
coach as well as the fluid mist nozzles of the gangway. It is
also possible for a central fluid storage to be provided in
the rail vehicle, which feeds all the fluid mist nozzles
inside the rail vehicle and thus inside all or a large number
of the coaches.
A further aspect which is already independently based on an
inventive idea consists of the concept that, in the event of
the activation of a fluid mist nozzle in a first area, the
activation of a fluid mist nozzle in an adjacent area takes

place. For example, a fire is detected in a first coach,
whereupon at least all the fluid mist nozzles in the coach
concerned are activated. In addition, by means of an
appropriate valve control arrangement, as well as the fluid
mist nozzles in the coach in which the fire has broken out,
the fluid mist nozzles of the gangway adjacent to this coach
can be activated. It is also possible for the nozzles of
adjacent coaches to be activated which are immediately facing
the gangway which is closest to the fire. For example, an
activation is possible of all the fluid mist nozzles in the
coach in which the fire has taken hold and, at the same time,
the automatic activation of the nozzles in the gangways
adjacent to this coach. Further nozzles can also be
activated, which are arranged in the adjacent coaches. It is
possible, for example, that only the nozzles of the adjacent
coach are activated which are assigned to the gangway, or
which are located close to the gangway. It is also possible
that, in the event of an activation of the nozzles in a
gangway, the nozzles in the adjacent coach are activated, or
at least the nozzles which are closest to the gangway. A
valve control system can, for example, be coupled to a fire
detection system. It is also possible for fluid to be
released into the areas accordingly, by means of non-return
valves. The features of this independent inventive thinking
can be combined with all the features of the fire-fighting
arrangement described heretofore.
When using a central fluid storage, care must be taken to
ensure that only the fluid mist nozzles are activated which
are in the area of the fire. For this reason, a local method
of fire detection should be ensured. According to an
embodiment, it is therefore proposed that the fire-fighting

device should have fire detection means for detecting a fire
in the gangway. By means of these fire detection means, a
fire can be detected separately for each gangway. By means of
this detection it is possible for fluid to be delivered to
this gangway only, such that only this gangway is subjected
to a fluid mist. The fire detection means can be arranged in
the gangway.
According to an embodiment, it is also proposed that the
fire-fighting device comprises at least one section valve,
connecting the fluid mist nozzle to the central fluid
storage. This section valve is necessary in order for
individual fluid mist nozzles or groups of fluid mist nozzles
to be supplied specifically with fluid. If a fire is detected
in a gangway or in a coach adjacent to the gangway, the
section valve can be opened of the gangway in which the fire
has been detected or which is adjacent to the coach in which
the fire has broken out, whereupon the fluid mist nozzle(s)
of the corresponding gangway are supplied with fluid.
According to an embodiment, it is also proposed that the
fire-fighting device comprises a local fluid storage, in such
a way that a fluid storage is provided for each gangway. This
local arrangement of a fluid storage at the gangway has the
advantage that a gangway can be equipped with an integrated
fire-fighting device. Such a gangway can be arranged in the
coaches of the rail vehicles independently of the fire-
fighting devices, and already contains a fire protection
barrier. The local fluid storage can be of small dimensions,
whereby it is possible, for example, for only a small amount
of fluid needing to be stored in each gangway. Since there
are only a small number of fluid mist nozzles in one gangway,

for example only in the floor, only in the side wall, or only
in the roof area, or in a combination of these three areas,
only a correspondingly small amount of fluid needs to be
carried for a specific duration of fire-fighting.
The fluid storage should be arranged in such a way that it
cannot be seen by passenger in the gangway. For this reason,
it is proposed that the local fluid storage should be
arranged on the floor of the gangway. In this situation, the
fluid storage can be arranged, for example, in the underfloor
area, outside the passenger area. It is also possible for the
fluid storage to be arranged on an outside wall of the
gangway, which also makes it easily accessible for
maintenance purposes.
It is likewise possible for the local fluid storage to be
arranged in the roof area of the gangway. In this case too,
the fluid storage can be arranged, for example, above the
roof cladding or in the outside area of the gangway. With the
arrangement in the outside area in particular, maintenance
involves very little effort, since no cladding elements need
to be removed in the interior.
According to an advantageous exemplary embodiment, it is also
proposed that the fire-fighting device should comprise a
pressure pump for conducting the fluid to the fluid mist
nozzle. In this case, the pressure pump can be activated in
the event of a fire being detected by detection means. The
pressure pump thereupon pumps the fluid via a pipe
distribution arrangement to the fluid mist nozzle, the
section valve of which is opened. The pressure pump can
produce pressures of, for example, between 5 and 200 bar. It

is also possible for the pressure pump to be a pneumatic pump
which is arranged in any event in the rail vehicle. For
example, a pneumatic pump is regularly arranged in a railcar
of a rail vehicle as a matter of course. In the event of a
fire, this can be sv/itched by a valve in such a way that, in
the event of a fire, the air pressure which the pump
generates is conducted via a pipe to the fluid storage, and
there forces the fluid to the fluid mist nozzles.
It is also possible for the fire-fighting device to comprise
a high-pressure fluid storage. This can be, for example, a
high-pressure cylinder, with a content capacity of 50 litres.
This high-pressure cylinder can be filled, for example, 2/3
with fluid and 1/3 with compressed air. In the event of
activation, the compressed air drives the fluid out of the
high-pressure cylinder. The high-pressure cylinder can, for
example, be set under preliminary tension at a high pressure,
such as between 50 and 200 bar. A combination of a compressed
air cylinder and a fluid storage can also be provided.
The subject-matter is explained in greater detail hereinafter
on the basis of the drawings showing embodiments. The
drawings show:
Fig. 1 A schematic view of a first exemplary
embodiment;
Fig. 2 A schematic view of a second exemplary
embodiment;
Fig. 3 A schematic view of a third exemplary
embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows two coaches 2a, 2b of a rail vehicle. The
coaches 2a, 2b are separated from one another by a gangway 3.
The gangway can be, for example, a gangway bellows
arrangement. It is also possible for the gangway 3 to be
another form of flexible gangway 3, which connects the
coaches 2a, 2b to one another such as to pivot about at least
one axis. Shown is a gangway 3 with a bellows arrangement 5.
Fig. 1 shows a fire protection device which has already been
activated, with the fire-fighting device comprising fluid
mist nozzles 4a, 4b, 4c. The fluid mist nozzles 4a, 4b, 4c
are arranged in the coaches 2a, 2b. It can be seen that the
fluid mist nozzles 4 spray fluid mist (shown by dotted lines)
in the direction of the gangway 3. The fluid mist is sprayed
for the most part into the gangway 3. There is substantially
no fluid mist sprayed into the coaches 2a, b by the fluid
mist nozzles 4.
In the variant shown in Fig. 1, two central fluid storage s
6a, 6b are provided. The fluid storage 6 can be, for example,
a high-pressure cylinder. It is also possible for the fluid
storage to be equipped with a pressure pump (not shown),
which, in the event of activation, drives the fluid via the
pipe to the fluid mist nozzles 4.
In the case of a central fluid supply via a fluid storage 6
it is necessary for a fire in a gangway 3 or in the coaches
2a, 2b adjacent to the gangway to be detected by a local fire
detection means 8. Detection of a fire in the gangway 3 is
notified by the fire detection means 8 by means of a control
line both to the fluid storage 6 as well as to the section
valves 10. The fluid storage 6 is activated, for example by

being opened or by the pump being activated, and, at the same
time, the section valves 10 assigned to the fluid mist
nozzles 4 are opened. This allows fluid to pass via the pipe
and the section valve 10 to the fluid mist nozzles 4.
In Fig. 1, a fluid storage 6a is arranged in the coach 2a.
This fluid storage 6a is arranged in the roof area of the
coach 2a. The fluid storage 6a can be arranged, for example,
on the roof of the coach 2a, so making it easily accessible
for maintenance purposes.
The coach 2b is equipped with a fluid storage 6b. The fluid
storage 6b can be arranged in the floor area, beneath the
coach 2b. The individual central fluid storages are connected
to the fluid mist nozzles 4 via pipes. The fluid storage 6a
is connected to the fluid mist nozzle 4a. The fluid storage
6b is connected to the fluid mist nozzles 4b, 4c.
Fig. 2 shows a further exemplary embodiment. In the case of
the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 2, an integrated fire-
fighting device is arranged in the gangway 3. The integrated
fire-fighting device comprises a fluid storage 6 arranged in
the floor 16 of the gangway 3. The fluid storage 6 is
arranged outside the passenger area, e.g. in the floor 16 of
the gangway 3. Inside the passenger area the gangway 3 is
covered by a floor covering 14. Passengers can thus move
unhindered from the coach 2a into the coach 2b. In order to
avoid the risk of stumbling, the fluid mist nozzle 4 is
covered by a cover which closes off flush with the floor
covering 14.

In addition, a fire detection means 8 is arranged in a roof
area 12, for example in a suspended false roof.
If a fire is detected by the fire detection means 8, this is
notified to the fluid storage 6. The fluid storage 6
thereupon supplies the fluid mist nozzle 4 with water, for
example. The cover above the fluid mist nozzle 4 is thereupon
sprung off by the fluid mist, and a fluid mist is introduced
into the gangway 3.
Fig. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a local fire-
fighting device. In case of the local fire-fighting device
shown in Fig. 3, the fluid storage 6 is arranged on the roof
18 of the gangway 3.
In the variant shown in Fig. 3, two fluid mist nozzles 4a, 4b
are arranged in the gangway. A fluid mist nozzle 4a is
arranged in the roof area 12 of the gangway 3. Here too, the
fluid mist nozzle 4a can be covered by a cover, which is
flush with the roof area. The cover is only released in the
event of activation.
Moreover, a further fluid mist nozzle 4b is arranged in the
gangway 3 in a side wall. This fluid mist nozzle 4b can also
be covered, and the cover will not be removed until the fluid
storage 6 is activated.
A fire is detected by a fire detection means 8, whereupon the
fluid storage 6 is activated and the fluid mist nozzles 4a,
4b emit the fluid mist into the gangway.

By means of the fire protection device according to the
subject-matter, it is possible to provide an economical means
of fighting fires in the gangways of rail vehicles. The fire
protection device according to the invention is very flexible
and offers substantially less weight than conventional fire
protection devices. By means of the fire protection device
according to the invention, gangways for rail vehicles can be
integrated from the outset with a fire-fighting device. The
legal requirements are hereby fulfilled.

we claim:
1. Fire protection device arranged for a gangway (3) between
coaches (2) of rail vehicles comprising:
- a fire extinguishing fluid fed fire-fighting device,
- wherein the fire-fighting device comprises at least one
fluid mist nozzle (4) for delivering a fluid mist,
- characterised in that
- the fluid mist nozzle (4) is arranged within the coach
(2) in proximity to the gangway (3),
- the at least one fluid mist nozzle (4) is arranged in
such a way that the fluid mist is sprayed into the
gangway (3), so that more than 20 - 90% of fluid drops of
the fluid mist reach the gangway,
- wherein the extinguishing fluid is sprayed at a pressure
between 5 and 200 bar.

2. Fire protection device according to Claim 1,
characterised in that a spray direction of the fluid mist
nozzle (4) is arranged from the coach (2) into the
direction of the gangway (3).
3. Fire protection device according to Claim 1,
characterised in that a further fluid mist nozzle (4) is
arranged in the gangway (3).
4. Fire protection device according to Claim 3,
characterised in that the fluid mist nozzle (4) is
arranged in at least one of:
A) the floor area (14) of the gangway, or

B) the side walls of the gangway (3), or
C) in a roof area (12) of the gangway.

5. Fire protection device according to Claim 1,
characterised in that the fire-fighting device comprises
a central fluid storage (6).
6. Fire protection device according to Claim 5,
characterised in that the fire-fighting device comprises
fire detection means (8) assigned to the gangway (3), for
the detection of a fire in the gangway (3).
7. Fire protection device according to Claim 5,
characterised in that the fire-fighting device comprises
at least one section valve (10) connecting the fluid mist
nozzle (4) to the central fluid storage (6).
8. Fire protection device according to Claim 7,
characterised in that, in the event of activation, the
fire detection means actuate the section valve in such a
way that the section valve (10) opens.
9. Fire protection device according to Claim 1,
characterised in that the fire-fighting device comprises
a local fluid storage (6), in such a way that a fluid
storage (6) is provided for each gangway (3).
10. Fire protection device according to Claim 9,
characterised in that the local fluid storage (6) is
arranged in at least one of

A) the floor (16) of the gangway (3), or
B) the roof area (12) of the gangway (3).

11. Fire protection device according to Claim 1,
characterised in that the fire-fighting device comprises
a pressure pump conducting the fluid to the fluid mist
nozzle (4) .
12. Fire protection device according to Claim 1,
characterised in that the fire-fighting device comprises
a high-pressure fluid storage (6).

Fire protection device for gangways 3 between the coaches 2 of
rail vehicles with a gangway 3 between coaches 2 of a rail
vehicle, and a fluid-fed fire-fighting device. Effective fire-fighting
with low weight is made due to the fact the fire-fighting
device comprises a fluid mist nozzle 4 which delivers
a fluid mist, whereby the at least one fluid mist nozzle 4 is
arranged in such a way that the fluid mist is sprayed into the
gangway 3.