The tragic King’s Cross fire in November, 1987 marked a turning point in fire safety for rail infrastructure. Its legacy still shapes how we design and manage stations and tunnels today. Yet, as rail systems evolve in scale, complexity, and usage—both for passengers and freight—the need for proactive, expert-led fire safety design has never been more critical. Fire engineering is no longer a compliance exercise; it is a fundamental element of operational resilience, public safety, and risk management.
A System of Systems - With Unique Risks
Modern rail infrastructure is expansive and multifaceted. From subterranean metro stations to regional passenger networks and heavy freight corridors, each project introduces a distinct fire risk profile. Passenger rail systems involve dense foot traffic, enclosed environments, and fast evacuation expectations. Freight rail networks, meanwhile, pose heightened risks from the movement of flammable, toxic, or explosive materials, requiring strategies tailored to contain and mitigate fire propagation and secondary incidents.
Rail remains a cornerstone of national infrastructure and decarbonisation policy. The International Energy Agency (IEA) identifies rail as one of the most energy-efficient modes of transport. As its importance grows, so too does the complexity of its assets—from battery-powered rolling stock to high-voltage electrification and integrated tunnel systems. These require deep technical understanding and a systems-based approach to fire safety.
Integrated Risk Management
Fire engineers must plan not only for life safety but also for the continuity of rail operations. Unlike standalone buildings, rail systems often must stay partially operational during an incident—particularly in freight and logistics corridors. This means robust fire compartmentation, performance-based evacuation design, and resilient detection and suppression systems are essential.
At the same time, early collaboration with stakeholders—authorities, operators, emergency services, and insurers—is vital to streamline approvals, ensure code compliance, and reduce cost and schedule risks. Experienced fire engineering personnel will be required to provide insight into evolving regulatory standards, such as BS 9992 for underground rail systems and EN 45545 for rolling stock materials, as well as jurisdiction-specific fire codes across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Joule Group’s Rail Expertise
Joule Group has supported a wide range of rail infrastructure projects, of a variety of scale and size, from tunnel ventilation and metro design to regional rail and freight corridor updates. We’ve worked closely with clients at every stage, developing code-compliant and future-ready solutions for both public and private stakeholders.
Our contributions include:
- Performance-based fire strategy reports for new and refurbished passenger stations
- Risk assessments for hazardous freight handling zones
- Egress modelling and CFD simulations in complex underground environments
- Tunnel ventilation strategy and system design support
- Compliance advisory aligned with international codes and standards
Whether advising on evacuation provisions for dense urban interchanges or suppression systems in freight terminals, our team ensures fire safety is embedded in every design decision. We work closely with architects, system engineers, and civil contractors to integrate fire safety seamlessly—without compromising operational efficiency or project vision.
Planning for the Future
An investment in rail infrastructure accelerates globally—driven by urbanisation, climate targets, and supply chain resilience—it is essential that fire engineering keeps pace. From smart stations to autonomous freight corridors, the risks are changing. Appointing experienced consultants early in the project lifecycle reduces downstream costs, avoids compliance delays, and above all, protects lives and infrastructure.
How We Can Help
Joule Group delivers high-performance, compliant, and operationally resilient fire safety solutions across the rail sector. To find out how our expertise can support your next project—passenger or freight—contact us at info@joule-group.com.
References
Sky News - Fears lessons of deadly 1987 King’s Cross fire have been ‘forgotten’
Fire Safety Search - Early Warning Fire Detection in Underground Stations
SOCOTEC - Advancing Fire Safety in the Rail Industry: A Comprehensive Approach
IEA - The Future of Rail Report