Fire and Life Safety (FLS) encompasses the engineering systems, infrastructure provisions and operational measures designed to prevent, detect, control and respond to fires and other emergencies within railway environments.

In railway projects, FLS is particularly important for underground stations, tunnels, shafts, depots and other enclosed or complex facilities where passenger evacuation and emergency-service access can present significant challenges.

FLS provisions may include fire detection and alarm systems, fire suppression, hydrants and fire mains, smoke control, Tunnel Ventilation Systems (TVS), emergency lighting, emergency communications, fire-rated construction, compartmentation, evacuation routes, emergency exits and firefighting access.

The FLS strategy considers how passengers can move from an incident location to a place of relative or ultimate safety. For tunnels and underground stations, this requires coordination between evacuation arrangements, ventilation and smoke-control strategies, train operations and emergency response procedures.

FLS therefore has significant interfaces with architectural, civil, structural, MEP, signalling, telecommunications, rolling stock, traction power and operational systems. Emergency operating scenarios may require coordinated responses such as stopping trains, isolating traction power, activating Tunnel Fire Modes (TFM), controlling ventilation and providing passenger information.

Fire and Life Safety requirements are established through applicable legislation, fire codes, railway standards, authority requirements and the project-specific fire and life-safety strategy.

mainline, high_speed, metro, light_rail, freight, depot, station

NFPA 130 where applicable; NFPA fire protection standards as applicable; local fire and life-safety regulations; Civil Defence or fire authority requirements; project-specific FLS strategy and specifications