scope:

Applicability

This module specifies the rules and hierarchy of options for electrical clearances of 25kV a.c OCS and pantographs at over-line structures, standing surfaces in public areas and level crossings.

It is applicable to modification to, renewal of, or new railway subsystems that impact on the clearance from the OCS and pantographs to over-line structures, standing surfaces in public areas or level crossings on 25kV a.c electrified lines. This includes works to:

• Track;

• Over-line structures;

• Station platforms; All clearance requirements detailed in this module supersede the clearance dimensions shown on existing OCS basic design drawings and documentation. 2.2 Exclusions The following are not covered by the scope of this module:

• Electrical clearances at locations which are not lawfully accessible - this does not exclude the designer from assessing the risk of trespass as part of risk assessments;

• Electrical clearances to vegetation;

• Electrical clearances to raised platforms/access routes which are only accessible by workforce;

• Electrical clearances to signalling or other asset maintenance access points;

• Earthing and bonding arrangements of overbridges;

• Requirements for screening of signal platforms;

• Risk assessment process for deviations from parapet heights as set out in company standard NR/L2/CIV/020;

• Maintenance of existing clearances.

Purpose

The purpose of this module is to specify the Network Rail requirements to achieve safety, economy and performance when designing or evaluating railway subsystem designs that impact on Overhead Contact System (OCS) and pantograph clearances at over-line structures, standing surfaces in public areas and level crossings. This module:

• Identifies electrical safety principles to optimise safety of the railway system;

• Provides rules and guidance on the application of legalisation and standards;

• Documents system level hazards and operating conditions deemed reasonably foreseeable for the Designer to address in a Common Safety Method (CSM) hazard record;

• Provide guidance of what should be considered in a risk assessment.

The module is compatible with the following key legislative requirements:

• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

- Section 6-General duty of designer etc. as regards articles and substances for use at work

• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

- Regulation 3 - Risk assessment

- Regulation 4 - Principles of Prevention to be applied

- Regulation 8: Procedures for serious and imminent danger and for danger areas

- Schedule 1 - General principles of prevention

• Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

- Regulation 7 - Insulation, protection and placing of conductors

• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015

- Regulation 9 - Duties of designers

- Regulation 11 - Duties of a principal designer in relation to health and safety at the pre-construction phase

• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 402/2013 of 30 April 2013 on the common safety method for risk evaluation and assessment

- Article 5 - Risk management process

This module provides a common strategy to demonstrate compliance and optimise the design of railway subsystems, but is not intended to reiterate legislation and governing standards.