FIBA – Failure Indication and Brake Application
Introduction:
A four–point air suspension system is used in coaching stock for better riding comfort. Apart
from the ride quality, the air spring system is provided with control equipment to ensure a
constant height of the coupler from rail level irrespective of the load carried by the coach,
which indirectly benefits the passenger by providing a constant entry height from the
platform into the coach.
If one of the four bellows gets deflated due to a rupture, the coach may tilt and might
further lead to untoward incidences. Though the control system has a built-in safety feature
(duplex check valve) to equalize the pressure in the adjacent bellows on the same bogie, still
the inclination of the coach may warrant a cautious running from the time. Hence, there is a
requirement for a system that could indicate a bellow burst situation and apply brakes to
avoid any mishaps through the Brake pipe dropping so that Loco Pilot attention can be
drawn for investigation.
Failure Indication & Brake Application (FIBA) is a device which senses the pressure drop in
any bellow of coach beyond a limit and initiates to drop brake pipe pressure, resulting in
application of brakes leading to ultimate stopping of the train.
Objectives of FIBA:
1. To provide a positive indication to the driver and the crew of the train by whistling
sound and indication on both sides of the train through indicators on that particular
coach.
2. To initiate the dropping of brake pipe pressure, resulting in application of brakes
leading to ultimate stopping of the train in case of Air Spring Failure.
WORKING PRINCIPLE:
The working principle of our FIBA device is absolute pressure system. The equipment is
designed to sense the bellow pressure on continuous basis and actuate dropping of brake
pipe pressure when the pressure in the bellows of the concerned bogie falls below 1 kg/cm 2,
resulting in application of brakes in the train and ultimate stopping of the train.
In case of bellow burst, it gives a red indication through indicators provided with FIBA device
on each side of the coach along with the hissing sound of air. The system is provided with
isolating cocks to stop the discharge of brake pipe pressure to enable the train to run at
restricted speed upto the destination.
Figure 1: FIBA Panel
Constructional Details:
FIBA device works on pure pneumatic circuit. One device works for one bogie; hence each
coach is fitted with two nos. of FIBA devices. Hence, both the bellows of the same bogie are
monitored by one FIBA device.
FIBA device has 04 ports, 01 no. for the connection from BP line, 02 nos. for connection
from bellow pressure and 01 common port for connection from brake indicators (02 nos.
brake indicators connected with one FIBA device) for visual signal. Branch pipes coming
from BP pipe line and bellows are connected to ports on device via ¾” flexible hoses.
Isolating cock with vent has been provided between each branch pipe and flexible hose.
Pipes coming from Brake indicators are connected to FIBA device via 3/8” flexible hose.
Figure 4: connections to FIBA mounting panel
S NO Part List For FIBA Device Qty / coach
1 Air spring failure indication cum 02
2 Brake Application Device (FIBA) 04
3 Indicators Isolating Cock with Vent OLP 20 NB 04
4 Isolating Cock without Vent OLP NB 02
5 Flexible Hose 3/8” x 500 06
6 Flexible Hose 3/4” x 550 02
7 SS Nyloc Nut M10 08
8 SS Hex. Head Screw M10x35 08
9 SS Washer A10.5 08
10 Split pin – 4 x 32 06
11 SS Nyloc Nut M16 06
12 SS Hex Head Screw M16x45 06
Figure 2: Complete Schematic Layout of FIBA on a Coach
Figure 3: Schematic Layout of FIBA for individual bogie
OPERATION OF FIBA:
In the unfortunate event of any bellow burst or depletion of pressure in bellow is
below 1 kg/cm2 FIBA device will be actuated.
The indicators on both sides of the coach would turn red.
There would be hissing sound from the device.
There would be a dropping of BP pressure, resulting in initiation of brakes and
ultimately stopping of train.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS IN CASE OF BELLOW BURST:
Identify the coach with bellow burst through hissing sound from the FIBA equipment
and red indicators on either side of the coach.
Isolate the cock provided in the line of BP to FIBA thereby hissing sound & BP drop
would stop
To stop further dropping of FP, operate isolating cock provided in the line from air
spring main reservoir to that particular effected trolley
Operate the resetting / isolating cock on the FIBA device to close position to turn the
red indication to green on FIBA indicator. ???
Follow the speed restriction as per standing instruction to continue its onward
journey
