Applications

Tunnel Systems

 M30 Tunnel Newsletter August 2007

Tunnels are the life-veins of a modern society. Not only their numbers and lengths, but also the traffic that they have to cope with will increase constantly in the coming years.
The fires that have occurred in the past years have shown that the result is not only a greater number of persons injured and killed, but also considerable damage to the construction and the operational equipment. This often in its turn leads to repair work lasting many months causing closures, as a further consequence of which considerable economic damage arises.

The most recent research results

  UPTUN 
  FIT
  SOLIT

have shown that larger fires in tunnels can only be prevented when the starting fire is brought under control as soon as possible. Measures regarding structural fire protection or smoke-reducing equipment have only a very limited effect, as they fight partially the effects, but not the cause. Due to the length of time the fire brigade requires to reach the fire, it is only possible to fight the starting fires in tunnels using automatic fire fighting equipment as part of a tunnel safety system.

The FOGTEC water mist, being safe for people, achieves an effective control of the fire. This means a considerable reduction of the temperatures nearby the fire, making it more difficult for the fire to spread and improving in the range of sight. A FOGTEC water mist system eases self rescue of people in the tunnel and enables the rescue forces to work with increased speed and safety. Due to fire control and minimal amount of water use, damage to the tunnel is also reduced.

In order to achieve optimal protection within the tunnel, it is necessary that detection, fire fighting and ventilation and other safety equipment are co-ordinated properly.