UK Rail Fire Forum 2025

Fortunately, fire is a rare event on the railway, but there is still a small risk of loss of life, injury, or damage as a result of fire.

By sharing knowledge and best practice across the rail industry, we can learn from incidents and reduce that risk still further.

The UK Rail Fire Forum is an annual gathering of experts, stakeholders, and rail operators with an interest in fire prevention. This in-person event will take place at RSSB offices on 25 June, from 9.30am to 2pm.

This forum gives the opportunity to hear about a review of annual fire statistics; fire regulations and changes to standards, and how the risk profile is changing from new consumer equipment to new forms of traction.

Sessions include:

• National UK incident statistics relating to fire
• International review of fire incidents – Europe and Global
• Standards and European Regulation Update
• E-scooters, e-bikes and fire safety
• Seat fire testing – practical experiences against latest requirements
• Research into the heat release rates of large lithium-ion batteries
• Cross-Sector Battery Systems Innovation Network Industry Showcase, March 2025

Speakers include:

• Nick Swift – Senior Engineer, Eversholt Rail Limited
• Neil Dinmore – Professional Head of Plant, Rail Safety and Standards Board
• Marcia Nightingale – Deputy Director, Products and Sector Regulation, Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS)
• Stuart Cokayne – Principal Specialist Engineering Consultant, DB ESG
• Dr Peter Bugryniec, Research Associate, School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield
• Richard Turner, Principal Rolling Stock Systems Engineer, Rail Safety and Standards Board

There will be opportunities to ask our speakers your questions and network with colleagues.