ISO 19659-1:2017

Overview

ISO 19659-1:2017 is an international standard developed by ISO specifically for railway applications, focusing on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for rolling stock. This first part of the ISO 19659 series defines the essential terms, definitions, symbols, and abbreviated terms used in HVAC systems for rail vehicles. Its purpose is to establish a common vocabulary and clear understanding across all stakeholders involved in designing, manufacturing, maintaining, and regulating HVAC systems in trains.

The standard is applicable to various types of rail vehicles, ensuring consistent and precise communication regarding HVAC system components, operating modes, performance criteria, and related technical terminologies. It provides the foundational terminology needed for professional collaboration and compliance within the railway HVAC industry.

Key Topics

ISO 19659-1:2017 covers a broad range of concepts central to HVAC for rolling stock, including:

• HVAC System Functions: Definitions of core HVAC processes such as cooling, pre-cooling, heating, pre-heating, dehumidification, ventilation (natural, forced, emergency), filtering, purifying, and heat recovery.
• System Positioning: Differentiates between centralized HVAC systems (single unit per car) and decentralized systems (multiple units per car).
• Equipment Terms: Detailed definitions for HVAC units, controller units, cooling and heating units, supplementary heaters, heat exchangers, fans, ducts, diffusers, gratings, and silencers.
• Operational Modes: Includes automatic, cooling, forced cooling, pre-cooling, free cooling, heating, heat pump, forced heating, pre-heating, ventilation, frost protection, degraded operation, power save, standby, emergency, maintenance, test, and washing modes.
• Performance Parameters: Definitions of cooling and heating capacity, pre-cooling and pre-heating times, design and rated conditions, volume flow, water tightness, and pressure-related terms.
• HVAC Unit Types and Locations: Classification of HVAC units as compact or split systems and their possible installations such as roof-mounted, roof-embedded, ceiling-mounted, on-floor, or under-floor mounted.
• Key Components: Definitions of air handling units, compressors, refrigerants, heat exchangers (condenser, evaporator, gas cooler), fans, leak detectors, and pressure protection devices.

Applications

The standard is vital for:

• Rail Vehicle Manufacturers: To design and specify HVAC system components using standardized terminology that enhances clarity and reduces errors.
• System Integrators and Engineers: To communicate technical requirements precisely when installing, maintaining, or upgrading HVAC systems in rolling stock.
• Regulatory Bodies and Certification Agencies: To evaluate HVAC systems for compliance with performance, safety, and environmental regulations within the rail industry.
• Operators and Maintenance Staff: To understand system operating modes and performance indicators, ensuring optimal HVAC function and passenger comfort on trains.
• Research and Development Teams: To innovate HVAC technologies based on a shared lexicon that supports interoperability and system integration.

Standardizing HVAC terms also facilitates international collaboration, product interoperability, and harmonization in railway HVAC systems worldwide.

Related Standards

ISO 19659-1:2017 is part of a broader ISO 19659 series dedicated to HVAC in rolling stock, which also addresses:

• Thermal comfort criteria for passengers.
• Energy efficiency guidelines for HVAC installations.
• Installation requirements and testing procedures.

This standard draws definitions and concepts from other international standards such as:

• ISO 817:2014 - Refrigerants related definitions.
• ISO 5149-1:2014 - Refrigerating systems and heat pumps safety requirements.
• ISO 13612-2:2014 - Performance rating conditions.
• ISO 15821:2007 - Water tightness testing.

Additionally, ISO collaborates with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to maintain consistency in electrotechnical terminologies used within HVAC systems.

By implementing ISO 19659-1:2017, railway industry professionals ensure uniform understanding and terminology for HVAC systems across rail vehicles, thereby enhancing system design, operation, maintenance, safety, and passenger comfort. This standard is essential for fostering high-quality HVAC practices in the global railway sector.