Fire on train - what to do

TurbostarFan · 28 Dec 2018

I would like to know what I, as a layman, should do on a train in the event of a fire. I am aware that some older coaching stock have passcoms which immediately slam on the break as opposed to newer ones which can be overridden by the driver. Therefore what should I do in the following scenarios:

1) Fire occurs on a Mark 3 Coaching Stock train with a guard onboard.
2) Fire occurs on a modern multiple unit DOO / DCO train with no guard onboard.
3) Fire occurs on a modern multiple unit train with a guard onboard.

RailUK Forums

big all · 28 Dec 2018

you dont actually set up who "you" are
if you are a passenger follow the information given
if you pull an emergency handle and the train stops the driver will be aware the brakes have applied and have to work out the reason
if its a passcom then express your consernes and observations keeping in mind anything underfloor is isolated for around 30 mins fire wise

Tetchytyke · 28 Dec 2018

Do what the green safety sign tells you to do!

Jonfun · 28 Dec 2018

Move people away from the immediate area and alert a member of staff by the quickest possible means, which could be via the alarm or alternatively banging on the back cab or catching someone at the Buffet or within the train.
Move through to an adjacent carriage and await instructions from railway staff.

Tomnick · 29 Dec 2018

On older trains at least, don’t pull the passcom unless it’s absolutely necessary, especially if you can hear the fire bells ringing. The driver could well be deliberately keeping the train moving to get to a more suitable place to stop and deal with it.

Zamracene749 · 29 Dec 2018

3 golden rules. Applies wherever or whoever you are. 1- Move to a place of safety. 2-RAISE THE ALARM. 3- fight the fire, if it is safe to do so.

Bedpan · 29 Dec 2018

The best thing to do would depend on where the fire is, how big the it is, and where you are on the train and where you are in relation to the fire. Does the train have a passcom where you can speak to the driver? how close are you to/quickly can you get to the driver's cab etc. If is is a large fire which has broken out of the confines of I carriage I would say better to stop as soon as possible rather than have a strong draught fanning the flames towards the rear of the train and consuming all the carriages behind it. .

big all · 29 Dec 2018

beermaddavep said:
3 golden rules. Applies wherever or whoever you are. 1- Move to a place of safety. 2-RAISE THE ALARM. 3- fight the fire, if it is safe to do so.

we need to keep in mind what people see and perceive as a fire can be steam fire suppressant gas or an auxillery heater firing up so need to be careful as all trains have a very good fire barrier in general a well thought out careful stratagy is the best option
yes fire can cause panic but as i have said you have a reasonable safe time by design so please dont panic

DanDaDriver · 29 Dec 2018

big all said:
we need to keep in mind what people see and perceive as a fire can be steam fire suppressant gas or an auxillery heater firing up

Or dragging brakes, then they pull the cord and jump out in the middle of a bloody long tunnel :rolleyes:

big all · 29 Dec 2018

DanDaDriver said:
Or dragging brakes, then they pull the cord and jump out in the middle of a bloody long tunnel

yes indeed the internet gives us poorly informed people who think they are fully informed by search
we need to be understanding and be careful to get them on side and help inform them in an honest accurate way

Flyingsprinter · 29 Dec 2018

One thing I have learnt over the past year or so with high profile fire incidents is not to listen to so called ‘profesionals’. If there is a fire anywhere the safest place is always the furthest away you can possibly get from that fire. Always.
Asses the risk and make a decision yourself using your own brain.

DanDaDriver · 29 Dec 2018

Flyingsprinter said:
One thing I have learnt over the past year or so with high profile fire incidents is not to listen to so called ‘profesionals’. If there is a fire anywhere the safest place is always the furthest away you can possibly get from that fire. Always.
Asses the risk and make a decision yourself using your own brain.

Unless you’re on a train designed to contain the fire until you’re in a place of safety. In which case pulling an egress and leaping out onto the tracks / over a busy junction/ over the edge of a viaduct in the dark is less safe.

Intermodal · 29 Dec 2018

MPotter said:
I would like to know what I, as a layman, should do on a train in the event of a fire. I am aware that some older coaching stock have passcoms which immediately slam on the break as opposed to newer ones which can be overridden by the driver. Therefore what should I do in the following scenarios:

1) Fire occurs on a Mark 3 Coaching Stock train with a guard onboard.
2) Fire occurs on a modern multiple unit DOO / DCO train with no guard onboard.
3) Fire occurs on a modern multiple unit train with a guard onboard.

The answer for all three is the same.

1) Move away from the fire and remain on the train unless it is absolutely not safe to do so (the entire train is on fire).
2) Raise the alarm using the passenger communication apparatus or contacting the guard if immediately more convenient. It is more important to raise the alarm quickly rather than doing it in a specific way - the passcom will alert the guard anyway if they exist.
3) If you must evacuate then use the side without any tracks or least amount of tracks and move away from the tracks as soon as possible without stepping on any rails.

So, basically exactly what the posters tell you to do. There really is nothing more to it.

headshot119 · 29 Dec 2018

He's back and asking more crazy questions about things unlikely to ever happen to him.

DarloRich · 29 Dec 2018

headshot119 said:
He's back and asking more crazy questions about things unlikely to ever happen to him.

Agreed. The answer is fairly obvious. Do what the safety notice tells you and also raise the alarm.

Hardly rocket science!

jon0844 · 29 Dec 2018

First thing surely is to make sure you're filming and streaming to YouTube. What happens beyond that depends on what the viewers tell you to do.

ComUtoR · 29 Dec 2018

jon0844 said:
First thing surely is to make sure you're filming and streaming to YouTube. What happens beyond that depends on what the viewers tell you to do.

The scary thing is this is what happens. We have had a few high profile fires and the shocking number of people filing it always amazes me.

DarloRich · 29 Dec 2018

ComUtoR said:
The scary thing is this is what happens. We have had a few high profile fires and the shocking number of people filing it always amazes me.

There is some value I filming as it can help with any investigation. Obviously it should only be done once people are safe and help summoned !

ComUtoR · 29 Dec 2018

I get the value for investigation thing but I think there is a fine line between filming to help provide evidence and the pure voyeuristic desire to generate youtube clicks and social media notoriety.

I know the trains on fire but first; let me take a selfie :/

DarloRich · 29 Dec 2018

ComUtoR said:
I get the value for investigation thing but I think there is a fine line between filming to help provide evidence and the pure voyeuristic desire to generate youtube clicks and social media notoriety.

I know the trains on fire but first; let me take a selfie :/

Agreed 100%! After my selfie lol

trainmania100 · 29 Dec 2018

I believe a fire extinguisher is located in the drivers cab for these sorts of emergencies

Bikeman78 · 30 Dec 2018

DanDaDriver said:
Or dragging brakes, then they pull the cord and jump out in the middle of a bloody long tunnel

Years ago I was on a rail tour in the back coach. Around Weaver junction it began to fill with smoke. I walked through to the coach in front which had no smoke but there was a crackling sound coming from underneath. So I pulled the alarm chain. I was surprised at how quickly the train stopped. It turned out to be dragging brakes. Apparently the brakes were glowing. Luckily, once it had cooled down, everything worked and the train continued on its way.

John Webb · 30 Dec 2018

If the fire is inside the carriage, the spread of both the fire and the smoke should be limited if possible by keeping doors between carriages closed. If the fire is under the carriage, probably best to move forward in the train if possible, but certainly out of the affected carriage.

johnr57 · 30 Dec 2018

trainmania100 said:
I believe a fire extinguisher is located in the drivers cab for these sorts of emergencies

and put fires out too

trainmania100 · 30 Dec 2018

johnr57 said:
and put fires out too

Fantastic! Crisis averted

Fire on train - what to do

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