FOGTEC Fire Protection
FOGTEC Fire Protection (FOGTEC Brandschutz GmbH) is a German manufacturer of fire detection and firefighting systems for rolling stock, headquartered in Cologne and supplying rail vehicle projects on five continents.
The owner-managed company was founded in 1997 and develops, produces and markets fixed and mobile fire protection systems. Its employees come from 16 countries and are based at six sites.
Rail Systems is one of several business divisions alongside tunnel systems and fixed installations for buildings and industry, placing rolling stock within the company’s wider fire safety portfolio.
Products and systems
FOGTEC supplies combined fire detection and fire suppression systems designed specifically for the rail vehicle environment. High-pressure water mist is used in passenger compartments, while nitrogen gas and aerosol systems protect technical areas and engine compartments.
The current FOGTEC 5000 series covers detection and firefighting in a modular platform certified by TÜV Nord as a generic system. Solutions are available up to Safety Integrity Level 2 (SIL2) in accordance with EN 50129, with testing to the ARGE fire protection guideline and applicable UNI standards.
The series uses a revised nitrogen release concept, which the company says reduces the water and nitrogen quantities required, cutting weight and installation space. Multi-cylinder modules with redundant activation are part of the platform.
Market position
The company holds IRIS certification based on ISO/TS 22163. According to the company, more than 25,000 systems have been installed in locomotives, high-speed and intercity trains, commuter trains, metros and trams worldwide.
Reference projects include the fire detection and firefighting systems for the Siemens-built new generation ÖBB Railjet and Nightjet coaches, the Metro Los Angeles fleet, and diesel locomotives for the American manufacturer Progress Rail. FOGTEC has also equipped hydrogen trains built by Stadler with a SIL2 system including hydrogen flame detectors.
A network of more than 50 system partners supports installation and maintenance internationally.
Current activity
At InnoTrans 2024 in Berlin, FOGTEC presented fire prevention modules with composite pressure containers to reduce weight.
The company led the SUVEREN research projects on detection and suppression of lithium-ion battery fires, conducted with the University of Wuppertal and Fraunhofer, and continues follow-up research on battery risks in rail and depot applications.
