23 March 2012 – Brussels, Belgium
In a continuing effort to keep abreast of the latest international developments in passenger rail fire safety, PDI Rail Solutions attended the 8th Annual Fire Protection of Rolling Stock Conference held 21-22 March 2012 in Brussels, Belgium.
Having attended the two-day conference, PDI Rail Solutions President & CEO Bob Andrews stated, “With continuous changes being made in both the technical and regulatory environment, as well as advances in fire protection systems and techniques, fire safety management for rolling stock remains an increasingly complex area. With the majority of these changes occurring within the European Union and the United Kingdom, PDI Rail Solutions must play it’s leadership role in both understanding these advances, as well as assisting in the transfer of these new technologies for the benefit of our clients in the United States”.
Due to the current transition period between National and European standards, the industry is placing heavy emphasis and research into the best solutions to implement these requirements in the most time and cost efficient manner. In addition, the development and advances of new technologies and systems means that fire protection approaches have to be constantly reviewed. Papers were presented offering the latest insights from industry leaders on complying with current standards and anticipating future trends that will impact the way fire protection strategy is planned.
Further amendments to the European Union’s TSIs and CEN/TS 45545 still leave several elements of the regulatory framework on fire safety unclear, in particular the combination of materials and components. The conference offered several papers regarding this subject.
The highly specialized two-day conference held at the HUSA President Park Hotel, provided an excellent decision-making venue where attendees, speakers, and exhibitors could exchange ideas for mutual benefit.
PDI CEO Bob Andrews visits with his old friend
Dr. Tony Cash (right), Conference Chairman, and
Lead Fire Engineer for the London Underground.
PDI CEO Bob Andrews visits with Consililium Marine & Safety AB’s
Technical Director Klas Nylander (left) and
Area Sales Manager Transport Safety Henrik Gjorloff (right)
to discuss an active PDI project.
PDI CEO Bob Andrews visits with Marioff / Hi-Fog’s
Key Account Manager Francesco Capuzzi (right)
to discuss technical details regarding Marioff’s
High-Pressure Water Mist System for a current PDI Rail project.
PDI CEO Bob Andrews visits with
Milwaukee Composites CEO Jeffrey F. Kober (right)
to discuss future shared opportunities and collaboration.