Rail Depot Safety Solutions
Rail depot safety and control should be a process that works seamlessly with operational activities.
FirstClass Safety & Control are committed to making railway depots safer, introducing ground-breaking safety control systems and procedures to protect the depot workforce at the workface.
We offer 2 solutions for Rail Depot Safety – our Depot Control System (DCS) and our Depot Protection System (DPS). The Depot Control System (DCS) and Depot Protection System (DPS) are integrated safety systems suitable for any depot looking for a new system or to upgrade older systems. The systems draw upon proven off-the-shelf hardware and software both of which come highly recommended within the industry and offer extremely flexible, scalable, and reliable systems.
A FirstClass Depot Protection System
FirstClass Safety & Control’s Depot Protection System (DPS) provides the highest standards of safety for staff working in rail maintenance depots. Designed to provide the safest and most efficient method of controlling depot train movements, critical in today’s modern maintenance facilities. An established market leading product, our DPS is now installed in several UK train care depots and at depots worldwide.
The system is certified to meet the hardware safety integrity requirements of SIL2 and is also compliant with all current railway standards. The FirstClass DPS is a proven “off-the-shelf” product providing excellent reliability and functionality, which can be configured to the client’s precise requirements.
DPS System features:
- Distributed I/O with a Fault Tolerant PLC Control System to a SIL2 Safety Standard
- Allen Bradley Control / Logix, CompactLogix and Flex I/O Remote Input Output: Reliable, high-quality hardware
- Software is 100% configurable making integration and flexibility options endless.
- Expandable systems which can be remotely managed.
- 3rd party equipment can be easily integrated: RFID / GPS Vehicle Tracking, Site Access Control, Managing Key Equipment, etc.
Typical DPS Interfaces:
- Interactive log on / off technology – RFID and/or pictorial
- Movement Beacon / sounder control
- OLE Status beacons
- Aspect control for inbound / outbound movements
- Automatic De-Railers for protecting workforce
- Treadle Switches
- Diesel Exhaust Extract Monitoring systems
- WIGWAG signals
- Points Interlocking
- High level gantry access control & protective bladders
- Access control/CCTV security systems
- OLE isolators
- Automatic Bollards
- Electric shunters
- Remote Diagnostics
- Pictorial Screens to eliminate any multi-language confusion
- SPAD alarms, turntable, cranes, jacks, wheel lathes, pit lighting interlocks
FirstClass Safety & Control also offer our combined Depot Protection System/Depot Control System which will further eliminate uncertainty by removing interfaces between personnel safety and train movements as our system now fully integrates both systems to provide one fully functional, fully integrated Rail Depot Safety System (RDSS).
A FirstClass Depot Control System
The FirstClass Safety Depot Control System (DCS) is an innovative depot control solution which assists depot operators by reducing workload and increasing safety and efficiency within the depot or train facility. The operator can set multiple routes within the depot in just a few seconds, increasing efficiency of train movements. This is particularly important in areas where timescales are a key performance indicator. An efficient depot saves costs without any compromise to operational safety.
Our DCS safety system is a cost-effective alternative to the more traditional Locally Operated Points System (LOPS) or depot points control systems. Working with approved signalling contractors and using proven aspects, route indicators, points machines, train detection methods and SIL2 rated PLC hardware/software, we have developed a complete system to suit any depot where safety is key for train movements.
Typical DCS Interfaces:
- SCADA with flexible operator design
- Depot protection interlocking
- Points interlocking
- Remote diagnostics
- Route Indicators
- NR Interlocking
- RFID Authorisation for points operation or any other safety critical operations
- 3P Signalling interface
Our combined knowledge and experience have enabled us to develop a system that allows train movements in and around the train facility quicker and easier. This is already the case at many UK train facilities where our systems have been deployed, a single operator is able to control even the most complex depot or train facility, with the confidence that the system is failsafe and user friendly.
FirstClass Safety & Control has developed a bespoke technical interface that enables the system to be integrated with all UK-based mainline interlockings. The FirstClass Safety Depot Control System has become the system of choice for many of the UK operators. Whatever the facility be it a train depot, maintenance workshop, siding, stabling, port or intermodal terminal, FirstClass Safety & Control has a control solution that provides maximum flexibility, dependability, and cost savings.
A FirstClass Service
All of the technical capabilities of FirstClass are backed up with unrivalled service support, available 24 hours a day with full on-site support, as well as back-office support for software and online diagnostics.
Looking to the future FirstClass are excited to be developing Rail Safety Systems that incorporate their knowledge of the Petro-Chemical and Marine sectors, for applications such as Hydrogen fuelled trains, where the TUV Functional Safety Engineer certification FirstClass hold is a pre-requisite for system design and verification.
