Rail interior design is undergoing change. In addition to comfort and aesthetics, the focus is increasingly shifting to the question of how safety can be integrated into design concepts at an early stage and in an intelligent manner without restricting creative freedom. Fire protection in particular poses new challenges for planners, designers, and manufacturers: away from visible individual components and toward holistic, integrated system solutions.
Dr. Markus Müller, Managing Director of WAGNER Rail, has been working intensively for years on this interface between design, technology, and safety. At international trade events and in direct exchange with interior designers, vehicle manufacturers, and operators, he has witnessed how requirements and ways of thinking in rolling stock construction are changing. In this interview, he talks about why fire protection needs to be considered early on today, the role that aspirating smoke detectors play in this, and how safety is becoming an integral part of modern train interiors.
Dr. Müller, the topic of rail interior design is increasingly being discussed from a safety perspective. Why is this combination of design and fire protection currently becoming so important?
Markus Müller: Good question. We can clearly see that passengers' expectations regarding the interior design of trains are rising significantly. An evaluation by the German Railway Industry Association (VDB) based on the McKinsey study “Future of Mobility” shows that for 53 percent of regular public transport users, design is an important factor in their choice of transport. An attractive interior design is therefore becoming increasingly important. This is also reflected in the growing popularity of luxury, hotel, and tourist trains. Today, train travel is no longer just a means to an end, but is increasingly seen as part of the travel experience.
At the same time, there are clear guidelines for fire protection in rolling stock. In most cases, at least one fire detection and alarm system is required. Classic point-type detectors, as found in office buildings or hotels, do not fit in visually with modern train interiors. They interrupt color compositions and disrupt the desired sense of space and feel-good design.
Aspirating smoke detection systems by WAGNER Rail offer highly reliable technology that has no negative impact on interior design, as they can be installed in such a way that they are virtually invisible to passengers. This allows modern design and fire protection to be combined effectively.
In addition, the more complex and modern the design of a train, the more point-type detectors are needed to ensure reliable detection. This makes the vehicles more expensive and further compromises the design. As active systems, aspirating smoke detection systems are significantly more efficient because they continuously extract air from the passenger compartment and enable reliable fire detection even in complex airflow conditions.
You travel internationally a lot and regularly talk to designers, manufacturers, and operators. What changes are you currently observing in the approach to fire protection in train interiors?
Markus Müller: We have presented the topic at various specialist conferences over the past few months. The initial response from system houses that manufacture trains and also from operators has been overwhelmingly positive. Many designers were previously unaware that fire protection technology exists that can be integrated almost invisibly into vehicle design.
From numerous discussions with train designers, we have observed that the interior is planned in great detail and with considerable intensity, while fire protection, as a necessary mandatory requirement, tends to come rather late in the process. Only at the end is it required to integrate several visible smoke detectors, which is perceived as disruptive from a design perspective.
Another topic is still in the early stages of development: aspirating smoke detection systems require sampling pipes through which air samples are taken. Initial considerations are being made to integrate these pipes directly into ceiling elements or interior modules. For larger numbers of vehicles, this would significantly reduce the amount of installation work required.
Traditional point-type detectors often reach their design and technical limits in modern interiors. In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges when fire protection is only considered late in the design process?
Markus Müller: When a system provider develops a new vehicle platform, for example for a suburban train or regional train, a specific interior design is first created for the first customer. Based on this, and taking into account the air flows through the air conditioning system, it is determined how many smoke detectors are needed and where they should be placed.
If another customer later decides to use the same platform but with a modified interior design, this planning process must be repeated. The number and position of the detectors often differ significantly from the original concept. This leads to additional engineering work and rising costs.
If, on the other hand, a platform is designed with aspirating smoke detection systems from the outset, the sampling points can be positioned in such a way that they will still function even if design modifications are made at a later date. This reduces planning costs and makes platform concepts more stable in the long term.
Aspirating smoke detectors enable virtually invisible integration into the vehicle design. Why is this type of fire detection so crucial for current and future interior concepts?
Markus Müller: In my opinion, aspirating smoke detection systems have two major advantages: technical and design-related. Technically, they are characterized by very high reliability and fast detection. Intelligent sensor technology allows them to be parameterized for different interior spaces and climatic and ventilation conditions, and they operate largely without false alarms. In contrast, point-type detectors must be positioned so that smoke can flow passively toward them. The more complex the air flows in the vehicle, the more difficult this task becomes.
From a design perspective, aspirating smoke detection systems enable virtually invisible integration without restricting color schemes, materials, or design elements in the passenger compartment. In addition, there is no risk of detectors being covered or damaged by luggage. This is a problem that can occur with conventional detectors, especially in the area of luggage racks.
Looking ahead, what role will fire protection play in rail interior design in the coming years, and what do manufacturers, designers, and operators need to do today to remain flexible and safe in the long term?
Markus Müller: From our point of view, the interplay between fire protection and interior design has great potential. Both aspects are indispensable: high-quality design ensures that passengers feel comfortable – especially in travel, luxury, or hotel trains. Fire protection, on the other hand, is regulated by standards and is essential for safety.
Aspirating smoke detection systems combine both requirements, as they do not affect the design and at the same time enable highly reliable fire detection. The technology has been in use for many years and has proven itself in numerous vehicles, including high-speed trains in Germany and many regional trains from various manufacturers.
Manufacturers, designers, and operators should therefore integrate fire protection into the design process at an early stage and view it as an integral part of modern vehicle concepts. This is the only way to achieve flexible, economical, and safe solutions in the long term.
Thank you very much for talking to us, Mr. Müller!
Let's talk about your custom rail fire protection solution. I look forward to speaking with you.
