Uic Code: Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning in Coaches
Uic Code: Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning in Coaches
Application :
With effect from 1 January 2000
All members of the International Union of Railways
Record of updates
1st edition, January 1947 First edition
The person responsible for this leaflet is named in the UIC Code
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Contents
Summary ..............................................................................................................................1
1- Scope ........................................................................................................................... 2
2- Equipment of coaches................................................................................................ 3
7- Additional requirements............................................................................................. 9
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B.2.4 - Temperature in WCs and wash rooms ............................................................ 15
B.2.5 - Temperature in baby changing facilities .......................................................... 15
B.2.6 - Temperature in catering facilities ..................................................................... 15
B.3 - Relative humidity ................................................................................................ 15
B.4 - Surface temperatures ......................................................................................... 15
B.4.1 - Walls and ceilings ............................................................................................ 15
B.4.2 - Windows .......................................................................................................... 16
B.4.3 - Floors .............................................................................................................. 16
B.4.4 - Air inlets ........................................................................................................... 16
B.5 - Air velocity .......................................................................................................... 16
B.6 - Air supply ............................................................................................................ 16
B.6.1 - Fresh air........................................................................................................... 16
B.6.2 - Recycled air .................................................................................................... 16
B.6.3 - Ventilation of catering facilities......................................................................... 17
B.6.4 - Ventilation of sanitary facilities......................................................................... 17
B.6.5 - Ventilation of technical areas ........................................................................... 17
Glossary .............................................................................................................................24
Bibliography .......................................................................................................................26
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Summary
"Climate control installations" include ventilation, heating and cooling equipment as well as, in some
instances, devices to humidify/dehumidify the air. This term is also used in cases where no cooling,
humidifying or dehumidifying equipment is provided.
This leaflet distinguishes between areas for use by passengers and ancillary areas.
Ancillary areas include side corridors, entrance vestibules, sanitary facilities, catering facilities, baby
changing rooms, staff rooms, telephone boxes, etc.
Different comfort standards apply for passenger accommodation and the various ancillary areas.
Key terms and definitions in respect of air treatment in railway vehicles are listed in Appendix A or the
Glossary.
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O 1 - Scope
1.1 - This leaflet lays down the conditions governing the climate control equipment fitted in seating,
dining, couchette and sleeping cars (henceforth called coaches) authorised for unrestricted use in
international traffic, irrespective of their design.
UIC Leaflet 553-1 sets out the tests and measurement procedures required or recommended for type
testing climate control equipment.
1.2 - The provisions of this leaflet and UIC Leaflet 553-1 shall also apply to climate control equipment
fitted in:
1.3 - In addition to complying with the provisions of this leaflet, the design of climate control equipment
on coaches shall take account of the k-value (heat transfer coefficient) and window transmission
factor τ, described in UIC Leaflet 567.
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2 - Equipment of coaches
2.1 - Coaches shall be fitted with climate control equipment that can run on electrical power from the
train cable defined in UIC Leaflet 552.
2.2 - The permissible wattage drawn by coaches, including on-board climate control installations, is
set out in UIC Leaflet 550.
2.3 - Coaches shall be fitted with heating and ventilation equipment capable of guaranteeing the
comfort standards laid down in Appendix B - page 14 for passenger accommodation and ancillary
areas at the outdoor temperatures stipulated for the climate zones listed in Appendix C - page 18.
Coaches authorised for speeds of >160 km/h shall also be fitted with a cooling system.
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3 - Performance of heating and cooling equipment
3.1 - Depending on the conditions governing the use of a coach, the performance of its heating and
cooling equipment shall be compatible with the three climate zones defined in Appendix C - page 18.
3.2 - Passenger areas shall be supplied with the volumes of fresh air per seat or berth stipulated in
Appendix H - page 23 depending on the outside temperature but irrespective of speed.
3.3.1 - Pre-heating
At an outside temperature of 0°C and with the coach at a standstill, a minimum ambient temperature
of +18°C shall be attained within a period of not more than 70 minutes in all areas reserved for the use
of passengers, irrespective of the setting of the different temperature regulators.
At maximum permissible speed, the minimum outside temperature for the selected climate zone from
Appendix C and the specified rate of fresh air intake, a mean ambient temperature of 22°C shall be
maintained in all passenger areas (Lighting = 0, Occupation level = 0, Solar heating equivalent = 0).
3.4.1 - Pre-cooling
Under the outdoor conditions described in point 3.1 and with the individual temperature regulators at
the lowest setting, an ambient temperature of no more than 2 K above the theoretical mean ambient
temperature shall be attained within a period of 100 minutes in all passenger areas in coaches at a
standstill.
With the coach at a standstill (maximum air velocity, for example, in a climate chamber of 10 km/h)
and at the maximum outdoor temperature and solar heating values for the selected climate zone listed
in Appendix C as well as the specified rate of fresh air intake, the ambient temperature limits set out
in Appendix E - page 20 shall be complied with in all unlit passenger areas filled to capacity (see
Appendix D - page 19 for heat emitted by individuals), with the temperature regulator set to "medium".
The equipment must remain operational under the following extreme temperatures:
- 5 K below the minimum values (10 K for Poland, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and
Hungary) and 5 K above the maximum values laid down in point 3.1,
- 15 K above the maximum values stipulated in point 3.1, where equipment is fitted under the
vehicle underframe.
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At the above-listed extreme temperatures, compliance with the comfort standards stipulated in
Appendix B - page 14 is no longer required.
If damage to a piece of equipment in the coach means that the volumes of fresh air stipulated in
Appendix H - page 23 cannot be provided, a back-up ventilation system with reduced air supply shall
be available. Emergency ventilation systems powered by the coach battery shall be capable of
operating for 30 minutes.
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4 - Centralised operating, control, safety and monitoring
devices
4.1 - It shall be possible to switch the climate control equipment in a coach on or off by means of a
switch located on the control panel defined in UIC Leaflet 550-1. This switch shall also be used to shut
down the climate control equipment, including the air supply fan, in an emergency.
4.2 - The climate control equipment shall be designed to switch on automatically as soon as the train
cable is live, the coach power supply system is activated and the switch described in point 4.1 is on.
Similarly, it shall stop automatically when the power supply is cut off. In addition, the loads connected
to the battery shall also switch off in line with the conditions set out in UIC Leaflet 550 and thus ensure
that the battery cannot be flattened.
Passengers should not be subject to any unpleasant warm or cold air movements when equipment
starts up again after short power outages.
4.3 - All electrical heater units shall be fitted with a safety device to prevent any unacceptable degree
of overheating. Functioning of this safety device shall be completely independent of the control
regulator and power supply source and ensure failsafe cut-off of the current supply to the heater unit.
4.4 - The cooling equipment shall be fitted with safety devices to prevent an unacceptable increase
in refrigerant pressure.
4.5 - The design of the control panel, the arrangement of the fuses and the markings and inscriptions
on the components are governed by the provisions of UIC Leaflet 550 and 550-1.
4.6 - Centralised operation of climate control equipment throughout the entire train (heat chain).
Pending.
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5 - Regulation of climate control equipment
O 5.1 - Each coach shall be equipped with a regulation system enabling the general comfort
requirements outlined in Appendix B - page 14 to be observed.
O 5.2 - It shall be possible for the temperature inside each passenger compartment or saloon to be
modified by means of a regulator as described in point 6 - page 8 providing a minimum adjustment
range of ±2 K (±3 K for couchette and sleeping cars) above and below the temperatures specified in
Appendix B. The temperature in passenger accommodation shall vary by no more than 1 K when the
regulator is switched between two consecutive settings.
Adjusting the regulator shall bring about a change in ambient temperature of at least 1 K in under
15 minutes.
O 5.3 - Adjusting the regulator in one compartment shall not alter the ambient temperature in other
compartments by more than ±0,3 K.
R 5.4 - Open saloon coaches may be considered as a single unit from the point of view of temperature
regulation.
O 5.5 - At the start of each coach run, the regulator should be set back to the theoretical mean ambient
temperature.
O 5.7 - To cater for possible malfunctioning of the climate control equipment, including the controls, it
should be designed to continue operating at a lower level of efficiency and/or reduced comfort
parameters if need be.
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6 - Regulator for varying the temperature in the
passenger accommodation
Temperature regulators shall be identified using the pictogram defined in UIC Leaflet 413.
The temperature regulator for open saloons shall be located on the train crew control panel defined in
UIC Leaflet 550-1 and operated by train crew members only.
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7 - Additional requirements
The purification capacity of air filters shall comply with the requirements of filter class G4 pursuant to
European Standard EN 779 as applied to climate control equipment on board railway vehicles.
When the coach is stationary, the noise level generated solely by the climate control equipment and
power supply system required to operate it shall not exceed the following values in the passenger
accommodation:
7.3 - Vibrations
Vibrations generated solely by the climate control equipment and power supply system required to
operate it shall comply with the requirements laid down in prENV 12 299 and the stipulations of
point 7.2 of this leaflet.
All necessary measures shall be taken prevent condensation, rain, wash water and snow from
penetrating into and accumulating in the coach. These elements shall not cause the climate control
equipment to malfunction.
All air ducts and nozzles fitted in coaches should be arranged in such a way as to enable deposits and
dust to be removed during routine maintenance without the need for dismantling.
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8 - Operating instructions, explanatory note and
diagrams
8.1 - These instructions and their layout shall comply with the requirements set out in UIC Leaflet 550.
8.2 - The following documentation at least shall be available in the coach switch box to enable any
faults in the climate control system to be identified and rectified:
- brief explanatory note with information on how to repair defects. (No explanatory note is required
if the coach is fitted with a diagnostics system in compliance with UIC Leaflet 557 and Man
Machine Interface MMI Form 3).
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9 - Compliance with comfort requirements
9.1 - Compliance with the specified ratings and comfort requirements shall be verified during a type
test in a climate chamber. Care shall be taken to ensure that the temperatures generated by the
climate control equipment are fully stabilised in all rooms when these checks are made.
9.2 - Tests to demonstrate compliance with the comfort requirements shall be carried out in
accordance with the provisions of UIC Leaflet 553-1.
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10 - Pressure protection
Pending.
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Appendices
The diagram selected only serves as an example and does not have any influence on the design of
the equipment.
Waste air
Ambient air
Air
intake
Admixed
air
Top-up
Recycled heater
Outside air
or Outgoing air
fresh air
Air
Treated supply
Mixed air
air
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Appendices
B.1.1 - When the regulator is set to the centre position, the theoretical temperature (Tic) in areas for
the use of passengers shall lie within the range shown in Appendix E - page 20 irrespective of the
outside air temperature.
B.1.2 - Coaches without cooling equipment need only comply with the conditions specified in
point B.1.1 when the outside air temperature is sufficient to maintain this inside temperature.
B.1.3 - The mean ambient temperature in passenger accommodation (Tim) shall not deviate from the
theoretical value (Tic) by more than ±1.
B.1.4 - Adjustment of the temperature regulator setting shall vary the temperature by at least 1°C in
under 15 minutes.
B.1.5 - When the theoretical temperature (Tic) in passenger areas varies within the range provided
for in Appendix E owing to a shift in the mean outside temperature (Tem) (e.g. when travelling through
long tunnels), adjustment of the mean ambient temperature (Tim) shall be limited to 0,1 K per minute.
B.1.6 - At a temperature measurement level of 1,1 m above floor level, the difference between
minimum and maximum values shall not be greater than 2 K. Variation of up to 3 K is allowed in
couchette cars and sleeping cars.
B.1.7 - At the measurement levels of 0,1 m and 1,7 m above floor level, the difference between
minimum and maximum ambient temperatures shall not be greater than 2 K.
This temperature is the arithmetic mean of the temperatures measured at a height of 1,7 m above floor
level in accordance with the procedure described in UIC Leaflet 553-1.
When heating, the mean side corridor temperature shall not be more than 6 K below the theoretical
ambient temperature in the passenger accommodation.
When cooling, the mean side corridor temperature shall not be more than 5 K above the theoretical
ambient temperature in the passenger accommodation.
This temperature to the arithmetic mean of the temperatures measured at a height of 1,7 m above floor
level in accordance with the procedure described in UIC Leaflet 553-1.
This average shall either lie somewhere between the outside temperature and the theoretical ambient
temperature or correspond to the outside temperature. Under extreme conditions, the mean
temperature in entrance vestibules shall not fall below +10°C when heating nor exceed +35°C when
cooling.
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Appendices
Furthermore, the mean temperature at 0,1 m above floor level in entrance vestibules shall always be
higher than 4°C when heating.
The temperature at the measurement point of 1,1 m above the geometric centre of the box floor:
- when heating: shall not be more than 6 K below the theoretical ambient temperature in passenger
accommodation,
- when cooling: shall not be more than 6 K above the theoretical ambient temperature in passenger
accommodation.
The temperature at the measurement point of 1,1 m above the geometric centre of the WC/wash room
floor:
- when cooling: shall not be more than 6 K above the theoretical ambient temperature in passenger
accommodation.
The temperature at the measurement point of 1,1 m above the geometric centre of the floor:
- when cooling: shall not be more than 4 K above the theoretical ambient temperature in passenger
accommodation.
The temperature at the geometric centre point of the horizontal axis of the staff work area, positioned
over 0,5 m away from the heat-emitting appliances, which release 50% of the heat generated when
functioning smoothly, shall not fall below the theoretical ambient temperature nor exceed it by more
than 6 K.
At all ambient temperature values listed in point B.1.6 - page 14, the relative humidity shall comply
with the values given in Appendix F - page 21.
The temperature of these inner surface areas of the passenger accommodation shall not be more than
7 K below the mean ambient temperature (Tim) when the coach is heated.
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Appendices
B.4.2 - Windows
When the coach is stationary and heated, the inner surface temperature of the following components
shall not fall short of the mean ambient temperature (Tim) by more than the values indicated below:
- window panes: 12 K,
- frames: 9 K.
B.4.3 - Floors
The floor surface temperature shall not be lower than +8°C one hour after completion of the
pre-heating period, and deviation from the mean ambient temperature (Tim) shall not exceed 10 K
three hours after completion of pre-heating.
The air velocity in the comfort zones shall not exceed the maximum values laid down in Appendix G -
page 22.
Outside the comfort zones, an air velocity of 0,05 m/s or more is required to avoid "static areas".
Variations in air velocity at air inlets shall be steady and may not be greater than ±20% over
20 seconds.
O B.6.1.1 - The volume of fresh air pumped into the passenger accommodation areas by the forced-air
ventilation system must comply with the values listed in Appendix H - page 23.
R B.6.1.2 - It is recommended that the volume of fresh air supplied to smoking areas be increased by
5 m3/h per seat.
B.6.2.1 - An air recycling system shall provide back-up climate control in the event of the fresh air
intake system being temporarily obstructed.
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Appendices
B.6.2.2 - Where coaches contain both smoking and non-smoking areas, the air for recycling shall be
drawn from the non-smoking area.
In non-cooled catering areas, the ventilation system shall ensure air renewal of 100 m3/h at a rating
of 1 kW.
To avoid odours spreading, food-preparation areas shall be maintained at a lower pressure level than
other areas in the same coach.
To ensure a change of air in WCs, air shall be supplied at a rate of at least 20 m3 per hour and per
toilet. To avoid odours spreading, WCs shall be maintained at a lower pressure level than the entrance
vestibules.
All air leaving the sanitary facilities shall be pumped straight out of the coach.
Air expelled from technical equipment fitted on the coach (e.g. switch box) shall be pumped straight
out of the coach.
Air flow in technical areas (e.g. drivers cab) shall be kept at a lower pressure level to prevent any air
from escaping into the entrance vestibules or passenger accommodation.
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Appendices
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Appendices
120
Heat W
emission P
110
Watts/person
Total
100 heat
90
Sensible
80 heat
70
60
50
40
30
20 Humid
heat
10
0
18 20 22 24 26
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Appendices
The curve for adjusting the room temperature as a function of the outside temperature shall be
specified by each railway; it shall be located within the zone indicated in the diagram above.
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Appendices
Relative
humidity
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Appendices
Air
velocity
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Appendices
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Glossary
Admixed air Ambient air drawn from the room and recycled.
Air intake Treated air fed into a room; may be topped up with admixed air.
Air treatment device Equipment to transmit, filter and/or mix air and heat and/or cool it.
Air-conditioning equipment
Piece of equipment used for ventilation, and/or heating and cooling
and/or dehumidification.
Ancillary rooms Areas in which passengers or staff may spend brief periods of time.
Catering facilities Area or room in which trained staff prepare and/or sell meals and drinks.
Comfort zone Area in compartments or saloons between 0,1 m and 1,7 m above floor
level and more than 0,2 m away from all walls and partitions.
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Heating Process designed to increase or maintain the ambient temperature.
Solar heating equivalent Total radiation per m2 on a surface normally exposed directly to the
radiation source. Radiation is emitted by a light source (equivalent to
natural solar radiation) at an angle of 30° to the horizontal axis.
Treated air Air that might have been filtered in a treatment device and / or has been
subject to an energy exchange.
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Bibliography
1. UIC leaflets
UIC Leaflet 533: Protection by the earthing of metal parts of vehicles, 2nd edition of 1.1.77 and
4 Amendments (3rd edition in course of preparation)
UIC Leaflet 550: Power supply installations for passenger stock, 10th edition of 1.1.97 (11th edition in
course of preparation)
UIC Leaflet 550-1: Electrical switch cabinets on passenger stock, 1st edition of 1.1.90
UIC Leaflet 550-2: Power supply systems for passenger coaches - Type testing, 1st edition of 1.1.94
UIC Leaflet 552: Electric power supply for trains - Standard technical characteristics of the train bus,
9th edition of 1.1.97 (10th edition in course of preparation)
UIC Leaflet 553-1: Air-conditioning systems in coaches - Type tests, 1st edition of 1.1.92 (2nd edition
in course of preparation)
UIC Leaflet 556: Transmission of information in the train (train bus), New leaflet in course of
preparation
UIC Leaflet 557: Diagnostics on passenger rolling stock, 2nd edition of 1.1.98 (3rd edition in course of
preparation)
UIC Leaflet 563: Fittings provided in coaches in the interests of hygiene and cleanliness, 8th edition
of 1.1.90 and 4 Amendments
UIC Leaflet 565-1: Special design and fittings features of vehicles accepted for use in international
passenger night traffic, 3rd edition, April 2003
UIC Leaflet 567: General conditions for coaches, 1st edition of 1.1.91 and 5 Amendments (2nd edition
in course of preparation)
UIC Leaflet 660: Measures to ensure the technical compatibility of high-speed trains, 2nd edition,
August 2002
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2. European standards
pr EN 13129-2:1998 : Railway applications - Air conditioning for main line rolling stock. Part 2: Type
tests, 1998
EN 779:1993 : Particulate air filters for general ventilation. Requirement, testing, marking, 1993
(current version: EN 779:2002)
ENV 12 299:1999 : Railway applications - Ride comfort for passengers - Measurement and
evaluation, 1999
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Warning
No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or distributed by any means whatsoever, including
electronic, except for private and individual use, without the express permission of the International Union of
Railways (UIC). The same applies for translation, adaptation or transformation, arrangement or reproduction by
any method or procedure whatsoever. The sole exceptions - noting the author's name and the source - are
"analyses and brief quotations justified by the critical, argumentative, educational, scientific or informative nature
of the publication into which they are incorporated".
(Articles L 122-4 and L122-5 of the French Intellectual Property Code).
International Union of Railways (UIC) - Paris, 2004
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