3. Rail transport

3.1 UIC regulations

Current international regulations are based on UIC (Union Internationale des Chemins Ferroviaires) leaflets describing the applicable test methods. This system is the minimum level required. If countries have more stringent regulations of their own, i.e. leading to a higher level of safety, these are then supplanted by the UIC. For fire behavior, the main sheets are :

• UIC 564-2, which concerns towed equipment. It is not applied to the fire behavior of materials, as each country is free to use its own national standards;

• UIC sheet 642, which relates to motorized equipment. It describes constructive provisions and requirements for detection and extinguishing systems.

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