What is BS EN 15153‑2 about?
BS EN 15153‑2 is the second part of the BS EN 15153 series of documents that defines warning horn requirements that deliver the required audibility of approaching heavy rail vehicles.
For this purpose, the following requirements are included:
- The functional and technical requirements of the warning horn as a component,
- The functional and technical requirements of the integration of warning horns into the vehicle
- Test requirements.
NOTE: The requirements of BS EN 15153‑2 do not apply to urban rail systems.
NOTE: In the case of shunting heavy rail vehicle formations, the requirements of BS EN 15153‑2 do not apply to the pushed vehicle(s).
NOTE: Operational requirements and maintenance requirements for warning horns are excluded.
Who is BS EN 15153‑2 for?
BS EN 15153‑2 on warning horns for the heavy railway is useful for:
- Railway engineers
- Railway operators
- Organization responsible for the design, manufacture, or supply of the warning horn
Why should you use BS EN 15153‑2?
A warning horn is a device or assembly capable of producing the specified audible warning tones. So, BS EN 15153‑2 provides general requirements on warning horns that deliver the audibility of the heavy rail vehicles.
BS EN 15153‑2 gives the general acoustic requirements that are intended to be recognizable as being from a train and not be similar to warning devices used in road transport, factories, or other common warning devices. Operational condition over the full range of energy levels encountered on the vehicle is given in this document. BS EN 15153‑2 gives you a description of the horn test conditions including the conditions of energy source, actuation device used, and the duration of the evaluation time and description of the instrumentation such as type of acquisition system and type of microphone to check the audibility of approaching heavy rail vehicles.
Overall, BS EN 15153‑2 guides you on the warning horns of railways for safety protection and provides users with an understanding of whether or not it is safe for them to cross the railway. Also, the horn is used for acknowledging signals given by railroad employees during switching operations.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 15153‑2:2020 supersedes EN 15153-2:2013. BS EN 15153‑2:2020 includes some technical changes with respect to EN 15153-2:2013. These include:
- New frequency options
- Clarification of the test site requirements
- Addition of Annex A (list of contractual agreements
- Revision of Annex ZA