Policy Number 316 | Railway Procedures
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Policy | Procedure Railway procedures New policy number: 316 Old instruction number: ON35 Issue date: 13 January 2003 Reviewed as current: 9 January 2015 Owner: Head of Operational Resilience Responsible work team: Operational Planning Team Contents 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 2 Section 1 .............................................................................................................................3 2 The railway infrastructure and railway operators .......................................................................................... 3 3 Operational considerations................................................................................................................................ 4 4 Hazard identification and risk control measures............................................................................................ 4 5 Operational procedures ..................................................................................................................................... 6 6 Traction current isolation ................................................................................................................................... 9 7 Communications – overhead line equipment and sub-surface................................................................10 8 Contingency planning and training................................................................................................................11 Section 2 ...........................................................................................................................13 9 London Underground Limited (LUL) .............................................................................................................13 10 London Underground - Jubilee Line Extension (JLE)..................................................................................16 11 Docklands Light Railway (DLR) ......................................................................................................................23 12 Post office automated rail link (Mail Rail)......................................................................................................25 13 Heathrow Express (HEX) .................................................................................................................................26 14 Tramlink...............................................................................................................................................................27 15 Network Rail .......................................................................................................................................................32 16 Index ....................................................................................................................................................................35 Appendix 1 – Key point summary - Railway procedures ....................................................................................36 Document history .......................................................................................................................................................37 Review date: 9 January 2018 Last amended date: 17 February 2017 316 Issue date: 13 January 2003 1 of 38 1 Introduction 1.1 The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has within its boundaries, the largest concentration and types of main line and underground railway infrastructure in the UK. This infrastructure is further increased by the presence of a tram service in the transport network. 1.2 This policy details the London Fire Brigade’s operational procedures for incidents involving railways. 1.3 Section 1 Parts 2 to 8 are generic to all modes of rail transport; however, there may be references in Section 1, which are operator specific. 1.4 Section 2 Parts 9 to 15 give specific instructions and information regarding the various infrastructure controllers and operating companies found within the London Fire Brigade area. 1.5 By their very nature, a flexible approach is vital at incidents involving railways or the railway infrastructure. It is recognised that each circumstance will bring its own unique problems as far as firefighting and rescue operations are concerned. 1.6 The purpose of this policy is to make all operational personnel aware of the potential inherent hazards associated with the various infrastructures to be found in the London Fire Brigade area. It will also assist incident commanders to make a risk assessment and formulate a sound tactical plan when dealing with incidents on or near these infrastructures. 1.7 When dealing with incidents on or about the rail infrastructure, incident commanders are to use the most recently issued Brigade practices and procedures when preparing their operational plan. Abbreviations 1.8 Abbreviations used in this policy: • CSS - Command Support System • CTA - Central Terminal Area • DLR - Docklands Light Railway • HAL - Heathrow Airport Limited • HEX - Heathrow Express Link • IP - Intervention Point • JLE - Jubilee Line Extension • LUL - London Underground Limited • MDT _ Mobile Data Terminal • OLE - Overhead Line Equipment • ORD – Operational Risk Database • RIO - Rail Incident Officer • RVP - Rendezvous Point • SCD - Short Circuiting Device • SCR - Station Control Room • SPT - Signal Post Telephone • TOC - Train Operating Company • TOPS - Total Operations Processing System • TSS - Technical and Service Support 316 Issue date: 13 January 2003 2 of 38 Section 1 2 The railway infrastructure and railway operators 2.1 Within the Brigade area the key organisations in respect of railway operations are as follows: • Network Rail (infrastructure) - Responsible for the operations and maintenance of the main line track, power supplies and signalling. • Train Operating Companies (TOCs) - The companies that run the trains and in some cases are responsible for the maintenance of stations and sidings, excluding those areas that are the responsibility of Network Rail. • London Underground Limited (depots and sidings) - Responsible for all issues and equipment relating to both surface and sub surface rail operations. Infrastructure companies: 2.2 The day to day management has been divided into management companies known as InfraCo’s as detailed below: − SSL - InfraCo Sub Surface lines. − JNP - InfraCo Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly Lines. − BVC - InfraCo Bakerloo, Central and Victoria Lines. • Docklands Light Railway (DLR) (part sub surface part surface) - As London Underground in respect of issues relating to the light railway system. • Heathrow Express Link - (HEX - part sub surface, part surface running on Network Rail infrastructure). • Tramlink - (tram system running on road and ex Network Rail infrastructure). • Post Office Railway - (fully automated not accessible by the public). Rolling stock 2.3 The following types of rail vehicles may be found throughout the London area: • Battery operated trains. • Electric trains (Network Rail). • Electric trains (LUL). • Electric trains (DLR). • Diesel electric multiple units. • Diesel electric locomotives. • Diesel locomotives. • Automatic trains. • Trams. • Steam trains. Depots and sidings 2.4 Train and rolling stock movement in many depots and sidings are independent of the permanent way signalling and control systems. It is important that Incident Commanders establish and maintain links with the person responsible for train movement in these areas before committing crews. 2.5 It is vital therefore that regular 7(2) (d) visits are made to these sites and the following should be noted (see also Part 8). 316 Issue date: 13 January 2003 3 of 38 • Access and out of hours contact names and numbers. • Water supplies. • Traction current isolation arrangements. • Siding or depot control rooms. • Hazardous materials. Note: A contingency plan should be made for the site and the relevant information entered onto the operational risk database (ORD). 3 Operational considerations 3.1 The Brigade has clear agreement with both the infrastructure and train operators that the safety of the public, rail staff and fire crews is the over-riding priority. Notwithstanding this, it must be clearly understood that power isolation and train stoppages will only be requested when it is considered essential in order to protect life and property. Incident commanders need to be aware that the isolation of power supplies and the stopping of trains other than at station platforms, can have serious implications away from the immediate scene of operations including: • Passengers alighting from trains that have stopped outside stations and walking along tracks which may still be in use or live. • Overcrowding of stations and platforms. • Physical and mental distress of passengers on trains in tunnels. • Widespread disruption to train services. 3.2 Widespread disruption to train services can lead to long delays and substantial business loss. There is a duty of care on the Brigade to consider the wider impact on the railway operator and passengers. The above points are unlikely to be immediately visible at rail incidents, but despite that they are nonetheless a real issue. Consequently, there may be circumstances where it is better to let a small trackside fire burn out. It is still stressed, however, that in the event of a genuine threat to the safety of the public or fire crews, these issues become secondary and power isolation and