SOLIT² (2009-2011)
After successful test program SOLIT (Safe of Life in Tunnels, see below), a new continuing research program SOLIT² has been launched. The SOLIT² research program will focus not only fixed fire fighting systems but more holistic approach. More details about SOLIT² project can be found from the following leaflet.
SOLIT (2004-2006)
The devastating fires which occurred in tunnels in previous years before SOLIT (Safe of Life in Tunnels), have shown that there was an urgent need for improving evacuation conditions and creating effective facilities for a fast fire fighting.
Those were the main targets that had been set for the SOLIT Research Project sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and initiated by FOGTEC. In close cooperation with partners involved in the fire protection of tunnel systems – among them manufacturers of fire alarm systems, ventilation systems, but also of passive fire protection, effective measures were being developed in order to
• facilitate the evacuation of persons,
• permit safe and easy working for the rescue forces, and
• to protect the tunnel construction.
Those are the targets that have been set for the SOLIT Research Project sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and initiated by FOGTEC. In close cooperation with partners involved in the fire protection of tunnel systems – among them manufacturers of fire alarm systems, ventilation systems, but also of passive fire protection, effective measures are being developed in order to
• facilitate the evacuation of persons,
• permit safe and easy working for the rescue forces, and
• to protect the tunnel construction.
The general suitability of high-pressure water mist for fire fighting in tunnel systems had already been proven within the scope of the EU Research Project UPTUN, but with much smaller design fire loads than scientific advisory board defined for SOLIT program.
Besides developing innovative products for fire fighting in tunnels, research activities were focused in SOLIT for optimising fire protection by a suitable combination of fire fighting protection measures. This included studies of effect of other safety measures together with fixed fire fighting system.
An extensive fire test program including 1:1 fire tests was launched in spring 2006 to test the effectiveness of the developed fire protection measures using representative scenarios. The test program was accompanied by the Institute of the Fire Brigade of the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The test results confirmed that findings of UPTUN research program were valid even with multiple times larger fire sizes. The results were collected to the final report and a special workshop was held in Asturias (Spain) in May 2006. During this event 120 participants from all over the world were able to get an impression of the performance of the high pressure water mist system developed within the research project SOLIT.
Further information
www.solit.info