Fire safety technologies in railway infrastructure

In railway infrastructure projects – particularly urban metros, underground stations, tunnels, and depots – fire safety systems are of utmost importance. Fire protection is not only a legal requirement but also a vital factor ensuring passenger safety, continuous operation, and long-term sustainability.

With rapid advancements in technology, modern fire safety solutions have been applied worldwide – from early detection systems and automatic suppression to digital evacuation simulations. For Vietnam, which is modernizing its metro and high-speed rail networks, adopting these solutions is essential to meet international safety standards.

Specific Fire Safety Requirements in Rail Infrastructure

High fire risk

• • Enclosed spaces such as tunnels and underground stations easily accumulate toxic smoke.
    
  • Complex MEP systems with kilometers of electrical cables, switchboards, and substations create high fire hazards.
    

Fast evacuation demands 

• • During peak hours, metro stations may serve 30,000–40,000 passengers/hour.
  • Therefore, evacuation systems must include multiple exits, emergency lighting, smoke extraction and ventilation meeting NFPA (US), EN (EU), or JIS (Japan) standards.
    

System integration

• • Fire safety systems must integrate with OCC, CCTV, automatic alarms, ensuring quick alerts and accurate evacuation guidance.
    

See more: FDI opportunities in Vietnam’s railway infrastructure

Modern Fire Protection Technologies Applied in Rail

Smart fire detection & alarm systems

• • Multi-layer sensors: heat, smoke, toxic gases (CO, CO₂).
    
  • AI & Machine Learning: applied to analyze data, reduce false alarms, and accelerate responses.
    

Automatic suppression systems

• • Automatic sprinklers in stations and corridors.
    
  • Clean agents (FM200, Inergen, Novec 1230) for control rooms, electrical panels, and data centers.
    

Tunnel smoke extraction systems

• • High-capacity fans linked to BMS (Building Management System), activated automatically
    
  • Control smoke flow towards safe zones, minimizing suffocation risk.

Evacuation simulation technologies

• • 3D & CFD modeling to simulate fire and smoke movement.
    
  • Supports optimized exit design and fire safety training for staff.
    

Key Challenges

• • High investment cost: fire safety may account for 5–7% of metro station construction costs.
    
  • Strict technical standards: must integrate with MEP, OCC, and signaling systems.
    
  • Skill shortages: need highly trained engineers and technicians in fire safety.
    

See more: MEP for modern railway infrastructure

Emerging Fire Safety Trends in Modern Rail

• • IoT & AI: 24/7 monitoring, early warnings via big data analytics.
    
  • BMS integration: unifying fire safety with lighting, HVAC, and elevators.
    
  • Green fireproof materials: eco-friendly coatings and panels.

Fire safety in railway infrastructure is a non-negotiable factor for protecting passengers and ensuring operational continuity. With modern technologies and proven implementation capacity, Vietnam can build metro and railway systems that are safe, sustainable, and globally competitive.