Rt8014 Hot Axle Bearing Detection PDF
Rt8014 Hot Axle Bearing Detection PDF
Rt8014 Hot Axle Bearing Detection PDF
Synopsis
This document mandates the means
by which the timely detection of hot
axle bearings can be achieved and the
measures to be taken when such an
event occurs.
Submitted by
Authorised by Published by
Railway Safety
Evergreen House
160 Euston Road
London NW1 2DX
Contents
Section Description Page
Part A
Issue Record 2
Technical Content 2
Responsibilities 2
Compliance 2
Health and Safety Responsibilities 2
Supply 3
Part B
1 Purpose 4
2 Scope 4
3 Definitions 4
4 Introduction 5
5 Rail Vehicle Requirements 5
6 Infrastructure Controller Requirements 8
7 Alarm Activation 9
8 Incident Recording and Reporting 9
9 Change Control and System Integrity 10
References 11
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Uncontrolled copy from the catalogue dated August 2004
Part A
Issue Record
This document will be updated when necessary by distribution of a complete
replacement.
Technical Content
Approved by:
Keith Rose, Principal Vehicles Engineer, Railway Safety
Richard Evans, Principal Operations, Railway Safety
Haydn Peers, Principal Plant Engineer, Railway Safety
Enquiries to be directed to Railway Safety – Tel. 0207 557 8774
Responsibilities
Railway Group Standards are mandatory on all members of the Railway Group
* and apply to all relevant activities that fall into the scope of each individual’s
Railway Safety Case. If any of those activities are performed by a contractor,
the contractor’s obligation in respect of Railway Group Standards is determined
by the terms of the contract between the respective parties. Where a contractor
is a duty holder of a Railway Safety Case then Railway Group Standards apply
directly to the activities described in the Safety Case.
Compliance
The effective date of this document is 6 October 2001 and the requirements
mandated shall be complied with no later than the dates detailed below:
All other requirements mandated within this document shall be complied with
from the effective date of this document.
Railway Group members shall not deviate from the requirements set out in this
document unless they have obtained prior authorisation to do so in accordance
with the requirements of GA/RT6001, GA/RT6004, or GA/RT6006.
Supply
Controlled and uncontrolled copies of this document may be obtained from the
Industry Safety Liaison Dept, Railway Safety, Evergreen House,
160 Euston Road, London NW1 2DX
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Uncontrolled copy from the catalogue dated August 2004
Part B
1 Purpose
The purpose of this document is to set out the obligations of train operators and
the infrastructure controller to ensure the timely detection of hot axle bearings.
The document also sets out the obligations for dealing with HABD activation,
keeping records, monitoring trends and minimising future occurrences.
2 Scope
The overall scope of Railway Group Standards is as specified in Appendix A of
GA/RT6001.
This document contains requirements which are applicable to the duty holders
of the following categories of Railway Safety Case:
a) Infrastructure controller
b) Train operator
3 Definitions
Axle Bearing
Bearing on a rail vehicle axle that transmits a proportion of the weight of the
vehicle directly to the wheelset. For the purpose of this definition it excludes
those bearings associated with the mounting of traction motors or final drives.
Inside Bearing
An axle bearing located between the adjacent wheel and the centre of the axle
shaft.
RIDDOR 95
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995.
Road-Rail Vehicle
A road-rail vehicle is a vehicle that meets the requirements of GM/RT1300.
Target Area
That area on the axle or axle bearing that will be scanned by a HABD for
thermal data.
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4 Introduction
4.1 Failed Axle Bearings
Failed axle bearings on trains create a hazard to the safe operation of the
railway. One indication that a bearing is about to fail is a rise in temperature
and the heat that is generated by the bearing. Failing bearings can be detected
through this overheating. If a hot bearing is not detected in time, failure of the
bearing and axle end may result. An axle bearing failure can have serious
consequences.
5 Rail Vehicle
Requirements
5.1 Vehicle Compatibility with Lineside Detection Systems (HABDs)
5.1.1
Rail vehicle designs that depend on HABD equipment shall enable the lineside
observation part of that equipment to view a suitable target area on either the
axle or axle bearing assembly. In this regard there shall be two separate target
areas (T1 and T2) and these are defined in the following paragraphs and
identified in Figures 1 to 3.
See Figure 2
K( K)
Wheelset
Centre Line
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Uncontrolled copy from the catalogue dated August 2004
840mm
From wheelset centre line 920mm
1030mm
1110mm
Qo
0o
Target Area 1
This target area shall lie at a distance between 840mm and 920mm from the
wheelset centre line. A continuous length of at least 80% of this distance
(64mm) shall extend around the circumference of the axle or axle bearing to an
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angle Q of ±135 from the zero point on the underside of the axle or bearing.
o
These criteria dimensions form a symmetrical strip around the axle or axle
bearing that shall be visible to HABD equipment.
Target Area 2
This target area shall take the same profile as Target Area 1, except that it shall
lie at a distance between 1030mm and 1110mm from the wheelset centre line.
5.1.2
It shall be permissible to disregard one of the target areas on a vehicle where it
can be demonstrated that an affected vehicle will not pass particular HABD
types that would view the target area disregarded.
5.1.3
To facilitate the setting of trigger levels of HABDs, train operators shall make
available to the infrastructure controller, upon request, the normal permissible
maximum temperatures of axle bearings, for the vehicles that they operate.
5.1.4
The lineside equipment shall be able to view the target areas on either the axle
or axle bearing without being obstructed by shrouds or other equipment. Such
shrouds or other equipment including vehicle side skirts or bogie structural
members but exclude bearing housings or end caps.
5.1.5
Each rail vehicle design shall minimise false alarms from any other heat source
present on a vehicle, that falls within a longitudinal viewing window extending
beyond the wheelset bearing assembly. The longitudinal viewing window will
depend on the start trigger position for the scanner, the viewing angle of the
scanner and the distance travelled by the wheelset during the scan.
5.1.6
Where it is not reasonably practicable to shield an unwanted heat source on a
vehicle from the view of HABDs, the train operator shall agree with the
infrastructure controller the necessary actions to avoid repeated vehicle
examinations and ensure those necessary actions are implemented.
5.2.2
All new vehicles that operate at speeds in excess of 125 mph shall be fitted with
an on-vehicle hot axle bearing detection system.
5.2.3
For all new vehicles, or where a vehicle undergoes a change of use, train
operators shall undertake a risk assessment to determine whether fitment of an
on-vehicle hot axle bearing detection system is appropriate.
5.2.4
When an on-vehicle hot axle bearing detection system determines that there is a
potentially predetermined unsafe axle bearing temperature, the system shall
provide an indication of the axle concerned and shall cause the following to
occur:
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Uncontrolled copy from the catalogue dated August 2004
ii) the train brakes shall automatically apply in full service or emergency
application mode.
6 Infrastructure
Controller Requirements
6.1 Existing HABD Sites
The infrastructure controller shall not withdraw any existing HABD site without
the consent of those train operators whose vehicles rely on the monitoring
provided at that HABD site. The infrastructure controller shall demonstrate to
the train operators affected that alternative controls exist such that the facilities
are no longer appropriate.
Where signalling concentration schemes are being planned that will remove the
presence of lineside signallers, then the infrastructure controller shall consider
the provision of an additional HABD site(s) as part of the scheme to ensure that
the situation will remain ALARP.
taken into account. The relevant Sectional Appendix shall detail the location of
each HABD. The requirements for the keeping of records of infrastructure
equipment are contained in GI/RT7001.
7 Alarm Activation
7.1 Instructions Following Detection of a Hot Bearing
Instructions in the event of activation of either an on-vehicle hot axle detection
equipment or a HABD are contained in Section H of GO/RT3000 The Rule
Book, GO/RM3053 Working Manual for Rail Staff and GO/RM3061 Signalling
General Instructions.
8 Incident Recording
and Reporting
8.1 Initiation of a SMIS Report
Details of each overheated axle bearing together with all activation of either an
on-vehicle hot axle detector or a HABD shall be input to the Safety Management
Information System (SMIS) in accordance with the requirements detailed in
GE/RT8047. The train operator shall initiate reports originating from on-vehicle
hot axle detector activation. The infrastructure controller shall initiate reports
originating from HABD activation. The type of activation shall be recorded in all
instances.
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concerned shall conclude the SMIS report. For all other activations, the
infrastructure controller shall conclude the SMIS report.
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References
GA/RT6001 Railway Group Standards Change Procedures
GA/RT6004 Temporary Non-Compliance with Railway Group Standards
GA/RT6006 Derogations from Railway Group Standards
GE/RT8047 Reporting of Safety-Related Information to Railtrack
GE/RT8250 Safety Performance Monitoring and Defect Reporting of Rail Vehicles
and Plant and Machinery
GI/RT7001 Management of Safety-Related Records of Elements of the Infrastructure
GM/RM2525 Wheelsets Manual
GM/RT1300 Engineering Acceptance of Road-Rail Vehicles
GM/RT2402 Engineering Acceptance of Rail-Mounted Maintenance Machines
GO/RT3000 The Rule Book
GO/RM3053 Working Manual for Rail Staff - Handling and Carriage of Dangerous Goods
GO/RM3061 Signalling General Instruction and Train Signalling Regulations Manual
Related documents
The Catalogue of Railway Group Standards and the Railway Group Standards
CD-ROM give the current issue number and status of documents published by
Railway Safety.
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