UNDERSTANDING NETWORK RAIL'S PADS NUMBER SYSTEM
Welcome to our guide on Network Rail's PADS number system and the newly compliant Duct Seal HG. In the complex world of railway infrastructure, ensuring the safety, reliability, and standardisation of products is paramount. Network Rail achieves this through its Parts and Drawing System (PADS), a meticulous database designed to catalog and manage all approved products. This blog will delve into the purpose and benefits of PADS, explain the significance of Network Rail's uncontrolled catalogue numbers, and introduce you to the innovative Duct Seal HG system. Whether you're a Network Rail employee, contractor, or supplier, understanding these systems will help streamline your operations and enhance your projects' efficiency and safety.
INTRODUCTION TO PADS
PADS (Parts and Drawing System) is Network Rail’s comprehensive database for cataloging and managing accepted products used within its infrastructure. Each item in the system is assigned a unique PADS number, ensuring traceability and standardisation across the rail network.
PURPOSE AND BENEFITS
Ensure all products used are safe, reliable, and compatible with the railway infrastructure.
Facilitate easy identification and management of products.
Streamline the approval and integration of new products.
NETWORK RAIL UNCONTROLLED CATALOGUE NUMBERS
Network Rail's uncontrolled catalogue numbers pertain to low-risk items for which Network Rail Engineering does not assert control, meaning these items do not require formal acceptance. The process of issuing these uncontrolled numbers is managed by the Network Rail Catalogue Management Team within Route Services. This ensures that while these items are not subject to the rigorous acceptance processes typical for higher-risk components, they are still systematically catalogued and can be procured efficiently.
Network Rail employees can apply for these numbers through the iStore site, which is an online procurement platform available exclusively to Network Rail personnel. This process facilitates the inclusion of various low-risk items into the inventory without the need for extensive product acceptance procedures, thus streamlining procurement for items that pose minimal risk to the rail infrastructure.
NETWORK RAIL COMPLIANT DUCT SEAL SYSTEM
After several months of trials, emails, and meetings, Network Rail has decided to make Duct Seal HG compliant for use on their network. Catalogue numbers have been raised for the full system and its separate components. This approval allows wholesalers, distributors, and contractors to purchase a professionally engineered duct sealing system for sealing ducts and cables on Network Rail sites.
THE FIRST OF MANY PROJECTS
The first project where Duct Seal HG is being used involves sealing the cable entry points within REBs (Relocatable Equipment Buildings). Hundreds of REBs are being installed across Network Rail infrastructure, and Duct Seal HG is now designed into all REBs for sealing cable entry points, including cable transits, ducts, and penetrations.
CATALOGUE NUMBERS FOR DUCT SEAL HG
Network Rail PADS / Catalogue Number & Description & Product Code
0086/002656-SEAL DUCT HG DUCT SEALING SYSTEM-DSHG100
0086/002657- SEALANT GREY STUFF INTUMESCENT DUCT SEALANT- GS310
0086/002658- SLEEVE LARGE RUBBER SLEEVES – 27MM O/D (SET OF 5)- TRB27-19
0086/002659- SLEEVE SMALL RUBBER SLEEVES – 18MM O/D (SET OF 5)- TRB18-12
0086/002660- SPONGE FINISHING-SPONGECLOTH/3
0086/002661- GUN HIGH PRESSURE SKELETON GUN – 310ML- SKELGUN310
For more information on Network Rail’s product acceptance process, visit their Product Acceptance page.
DUCT SEAL HG - COMPLIANT WITH NETWORK RAIL
Duct Seal HG, is the first duct sealing system to have catalogue numbers created, and below show an brief intro to this duct seal product, but additional information can be found by clicking here:
Duct Seal HG provides enhanced durability, offering up to 2 Bar resistance to water, gas, and air pressure. It is specifically designed to separate & support larger cables. The circular backing tubes can be interconnected to form a cross-piece for trefoil/triplex cables or a collar for quickly supporting single cables or pipes. The circular tubes can also be joined in groups of 5, split, compressed, or used as a whole unit to achieve a strong support around singular or multiple cables.
Unique patented trefoil/triplex cable separation, setting the industry standard
MEKO-free, Fybrid, and Non-Hazardous Intumescent sealant for enhanced safety
Ensures water and gas tightness for superior performance - Up to 2.0 Bar
Effectively resists toxic gases, making it an optimal choice for the Water Industry (methane, chlorine, & hydrogen sulphide)
High resistance to hydrocarbons, making it ideal for the Petrol Forecourt industry - APEA & Blue Book
Flame Retardant properties verified through UL94: 2013 ANSI / UL 94: 2018
Compliance with DSEAR, WIMES, DCG, APEA, BLUE BOOK & ATEX standards
Microbial Defense technology to boost resistance against fungi and bacteria
Proudly MADE IN UK, with all components designed and manufactured locally.
WHY SHOULD YOU USE DUCT SEAL HG
Duct Seal HG is always ex stock, available off the shelf ✔️
As you can see from the information above, its perfect for Trefoil Cables ✔️
No other compound sealing solution offers the cross piece for trefoil separation ✔️
Age tested for 50 years ✔️
Made In Britain - Official ✔️
Supporting British manufacturing ✔️
Full training (if required) with Fast technical support ✔️
Re-enterable ✔️
Non Hazardous - Contains no MEKO ✔️
No specialist tools required ✔️
A friendly, helpful, privately owned UK business ✔️
Plus much more.....
NETWORK RAIL DUCT SEAL COMPLIANCE CONCLUSION
The PADS system and the compliance approval for Duct Seal HG reflect Network Rail's commitment to safety, reliability, and efficiency. By cataloging and managing both high-risk and low-risk items through systems like PADS and the uncontrolled catalogue numbers, Network Rail ensures that all products used in its infrastructure meet stringent standards. Duct Seal HG, now fully compliant and catalogued, offers an advanced, reliable solution for sealing ducts and cables, underscoring Network Rail's dedication to innovation and quality in maintaining a safe and efficient rail network.
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