Offering over 30 years’ experience
in the UK Railway Signal Industry
Asset Management & Business Planning
Riffhams has extensive experience in the field of asset management within signal engineering, including:
- the development of maintenance regimes to maximise performance of existing assets,
- the assessment of the condition of existing assets and determination of renewal dates.
Riffhams can help with the development, review and update of signalling system renewals (incorporating ETCS) as part of a network wide plan. This can be integrated with other disciplines to ensure that the signal engineering renewals plans are optimised to produce a wholistic plan.
Risk Assessment
Riffhams can support the assessment of new / altered railway systems in compliance with the Common Safety Method for Risk Assessment and Evaluation (CSM-REA). Riffhams can fulfil the role of ‘Independent Competent Person’ for projects where the nature of the works are deemed ‘Significant’ (as defined in CSM). Experience in this area has included projects such as:
- Reading Station Area Redevelopment
- Evergreen 3 on Chiltern Rail
- Bristol Bath Re-signalling
- East Kent Re-signalling
- North London Railway Infrastructure Project
Incident Investigation
Riffhams can undertake the investigation of incidents where the design, construction, testing and/or operation of the signalling system has resulted in an incident where the safety of the overall system has been eroded. Investigations are carried out in confidence and are undertaken sensitively and impartially. Published reports focus on facts and refrain from apportioning blame. Experience in this field covers all forms of signal interlocking (mechanical, relay-based, and computer based interlockings) and has led to recommendations that have shaped the deployment of subsequent systems based on lessons learned.
This has included changes to: processes, procedures and in some cases Railway Idustry standards.
Rough Guide: to the Common Safety Method
Capabilities
Riffhams Associates Ltd specialises in Railway Signal Engineering offering a wide range of experience arising from over 30 years of working in the UK rail industry.
Riffhams Associates can assist you with:
- analysis and review of technical solutions for new and altered railway signalling systems (and associated infrastructure)
- analysis and evaluation of multi-disciplinary railway systems for safety verification and validation (ROGs Regs and CSM[REA])
- asset management
- creation of business plans and business development
- signal maintenance regimes including ‘reliability centered maintenance’
- asset condition surveys with recommendations for ‘renew by’ dates / deadlines
- development of signalling standards
- management and interpretation of signal standards
- incident investigation
IRSE Licence workplace and competence assessments (WPA and CA) for the following Licence Categories:
- 7.8.110 Engineering Manager (all categories)
- 7.8.230 Senior Engineering Manager (all categories)
- 7.8.330 Senior Engineering Manager (Strategic)
For any of the above activities, please contact Riffhams Associates Ltd using the Contact Form below.
About Paul Mann
Reverend Paul Mann graduated from the University of Leeds in 1984 having completed a 3 year Bachelor of Science degree (with Honours) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Paul was awarded a 2:1 having specialised in Control Systems Engineering in his final year.
Immediately after graduating, Paul worked briefly in the defence industry for 2 years, but then joined British Rail in 1986 as a Graduate S&T (Signal and Telecoms) Engineer. He has over 30 years of experience arising from a range of roles within Railtrack, Network Rail and the supplier industry. Paul is a Chartered Engineer and is both a Fellow of the IET (Institution of Engineering Technology) and the IRSE (Institution of Railway Signal Engineers). Paul is also a Chartered Engineer. Paul holds a current IRSE Licence: Senior Engineering Manager – Strategic Engineering (IRSE Licence 7.8.230N)
In 2004 Paul was ordained as a Priest in the Church of England. He is actively involved in the Leadership team at St Luke’s, Highwoods in Colchester and is training to become a Spiritual Director within the Diocese of Chelmsford.
Paul has recently become a School Governor for the Primary School in the village where he lives.
Paul is a keen railway-modeller and uses his spare time working in both 4mm standard gauge and 4mm and 7mm narrow gauge models.