Railway Procedure

Question 1

List the different railway systems operating in the London area

Answer 1

Network Rail
London Underground limited 
Docklands Light Railway
Heathrow Express Link
Tranlink
Post Office Railway

Question 2

List the different features of a general railway track and identify the safe area

Answer 2

Embankment Slope
Cess (safe)
Sleeper
Power Rail
Running Rails
Ballast Shoulder

Question 3

List the types of railway engines that can be found

Answer 3

Diesel
Electric
Diesel electric
Pantograph Electric

Question 4

What does the Overhead Line Equipment operate up to?

Answer 4

25kV AC

Question 5

What are the two types of electrified track?

Answer 5

Third Rail System

Fourth Rail System

Question 6

List the features of a Third Rail System

Answer 6

50-75mm higher than the Running Rails

Operate up to 1200V DC

Question 7

List the features of a Fourth Rail System

Answer 7

Commonly found at London Underground Stations
Fourth Rail lies between the Running Rails
Negative current up to 250V DC

Question 8

List the Hazards associated with Railways

Answer 8

Access & Location
Electric power supplies
Uneven surfaces & trip hazards
Detonators 
Movement of trains
HAZMAT's
Railway Points

Question 9

What is the safety distance for Detonators

Answer 9

30m

Question 10

What is a Railway Point

Answer 10

These are moving rails allowing rail tracks to converge or diverge. Operated remotely

Question 11

Additional hazards in tunnels or subsurface

Answer 11

Unpredictable & rapid spread of smoke/fire.
Rapid rise in temperature.
Undetected fire travel in voids and ducts.
Communication difficulties.
Long travel distances.
Restricted access & working space.
Large number of passengers in unfamiliar environment.
Physiological effects on firefighters.

Question 12

What is the safety distance when operating in the vicinity of track before an ORA has been carried out?

Answer 12

3m

Question 13

What are the four levels of control that can be applied to rail vehicles and traction current?

Answer 13

Inform infrastructure manager of an incident.
Request rail vehicles ‘run at caution’.
Request rail vehicles stopped.
Request power off.

Question 14

What additional risk control measures are to be implemented if working within 3m of track?

Answer 14

Hi-Visibility clothing.
Lookouts placed either side of incident.
Evacuation routes determined.
Minimum staff deployed to complete task.
FF not enter tunnels until confirmed that trains have stopped.
Avoid stepping on conductor rails & assume power is live.
Not approach closer than 3m to OLE unless carrying out a rescue, then it’s 1m.
Withdraw immediately after op complete.

Question 15

What should a FF do if they are on the track when a train is approaching?

Answer 15

Lie face down in the Cess, or between sets of tracks.

Question 16

What should a lookout take with them?

Answer 16

Handheld radio, in contact with IC.
Acme Thunderer whistle.
Wolf lamp or hand lamp If dark.

Question 17

Can the Safety Officer change their location without informing the IC

Answer 17

No

Question 18

What is the minimum warning the safety officer should give crews?

Answer 18

30 seconds.

Question 19

How should safety officers alert approaching trains of FF working on the line? (Day&Night)

Answer 19

Day - hold both arms straight above head

Night - waving bright light rapidly side to side.

Question 20

What can be found at LUL stations to assist firefighters at an incident?

Answer 20

Fixed Installations.
Intervention Points.
Jubilee Line Extension.
Leaky Feeder Systems.
LFB Plans Boxes.

Question 21

What kind of rail system do DLR trains operate on, and what voltage.

Answer 21

Third rail

750V DC

Question 22

What is the safe working distance from DLR running rails?

Answer 22

2m

Question 23

List Hazards at incidents in railway arches

Answer 23

Difficult access.
Lack of openings - ventilation.
Arduous working conditions.
Complicated layout.
Contents.
Potential for serious disruption to the rail network.

Question 24

What should be considered at a railway arch fire?

Answer 24

Use of FRU or USAR tac advisor to assist in access.
Minimum 45mm weight of attack.
Use of TIC to locate fire.
Frequent crew rotation.
Need for good communications.