TRAM: British and Australian (American usually streetcar also trolley) noun [C] An electric vehicle that transports people, usually in cities, and goes along metal tracks in the road. (Taken from the Cambridge English Dictionary)
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This Page was last updated Sunday 2nd December 2007
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TRAMPOWER FIRE RAIB REPORT RELEASED
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 2nd December 2007
The RAIB have released their report on the fire that gutted one end of the Trampower tram back on 24th January 2007. Interestingly, despite ten months of investigation, the report is unable to give conclusive reasons why the tram caught light but rather concentrates on the design and operating control measures that were in operation and those which would be needed to prevent a similar incident occurring again.
As you will probably remember 611 - as it was numbered in the Blackpool fleet, which also takes less time to type! – was returning to depot at around 1615 on 24th January 2007 when a fire started inside the vehicle whilst it was stationary at Foxhall Square. The driver of the tram smelled burning and observed smoke coming from the panels to the right hand side of the driving position. He investigated the problem and observed smoke and flames to the rear of the driving position, emanating through a ventilation grille from under the first rearward facing passenger seat. The driver evacuated the vehicle through the driver’s door but did not lower the pantograph or remove the driver’s key because of the situation.
The driver did attempt to go back into the tram (at the trailing end) to lower the pantograph but was unable to because the key remained in place at the front end. The Fire Brigade were called by a passing Paramedic at 1620 and the driver requested the overhead to be isolated, this was done by 1623. The fire was out by 1629 and after initial investigations was towed back to depot.
Although the RAIB were informed on the incident straight away they did not send Inspectors to the site. It was not until later, when they realised just how big the fire was, that the RAIB decided to carry out a full investigation of the tram – this was undertaken on 29th January. This inspection showed that the interior seating and panels, control and power equipment and external glazing and cladding of the tram sustained significant damage at the end the fire started. The rest of the tram had smoke damage.
The RAIB investigation discovered that the fire started in an underfloor compartment below the first, rearward facing, passenger seat behind and to the right of the driving position. There was no evidence of a defect or failure within the high voltage power control system. The low voltage wiring in the underfloor compartment was severely damaged and a conclusive analysis was not possible. It looks likely that this low voltage system was the cause of the fire but the RAIB can not say for certain it was due to this.
The report does, worryingly, state that the condition of the wiring and equipment installation was not to a standard that would be acceptable for a tram carrying passengers.
The conclusions of the report are also slightly concerning in that it confirms Blackpool Transport did not carry out a risk assessment for the operation of the vehicle, which would have identified and adequately mitigated the risks to their employees and others, and in particular did not carry out any assessment if the risk from fire. They also didn’t develop any specific emergency arrangement relating to the testing of the tram and their safety management procedures did not adequately cover the introduction of vehicles based upon new technology.
Two recommendations are given by the RAIB:
* Blackpool Transport Services should develop vehicle acceptance procedures and integrate these into the “management of change” procedure within the Safety Management System
* Trampower Ltd should carry out an appropriate risk assessment relating to the design, construction and operation of the vehicle with reference to Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations. Part of this assessment should consider whether components and systems are appropriately constructed and installed in a way that is fit for their intended use. This risk assessment, and related currently-applicable technical documentation, should be provided to the operators of any network where the vehicle is used
The tram is currently in Blackburn undergoing repairs before a possible return to Blackpool for further testing, although this would unlikely be before winter 2008/9.
* The full report can be downloaded from the RAIB website, and includes photos of the tram both during and after the fire. To read it click here.
