Fires in tunnels are a major hazard to human life. Tunnel fires also cause costly damage to surrounding infrastructure. Limited escape facilities and difficulties encountered by intervention forces in gaining access to the tunnel fire call for extensive safety arrangements which must be complementary and mutually coordinated.
Tunnels and underground transport facilities are important means of communication, not only in terms of shorter journey times but increasingly out of consideration for the local population and the environment. Generally speaking, important underground transport links are expected to be available without any restrictions and to operate smoothly round the clock. Interruptions due to accidents, technical malfunctions or maintenance work quickly cause traffic jams and delays, and figure in transport policy statistics as economic losses.
Rising traffic densities and the growing demand for underground communication links result in a higher probability of accidents, injuries and damage. Added to this are other factors which increase the potential hazards of traffic tunnels:
- the increasing length of modern tunnels
- the transportation of hazardous materials
- two-way traffic (with undivided carriageways)
- higher fire loads due to growing traffic volumes and higher loading capacities
- mechanical defects in motor vehicles
When considering tunnels, it is usually in relation to road and rail infrastructure. However, use of the word tunnels can be slightly misleading, as the following information can apply equally to pedestrian walkways, underground rail stations, underground car parks etc…in fact to any concrete structure. Although this document refers to tunnels throughout, all information also applies to underground spaces of any description.
It is usually assumed that because a structure is constructed using concrete, that it is inherently fire resistant, and therefore requires no additional fire protection measures to be taken. Unfortunately, experience over the years has shown that this is not necessarily the case and consideration must be given to the performance and behaviour of concrete structures under fire conditions. In addition, where tunnels and underground spaces are concerned, consideration must also be given to the provision of services protection, e.g. smoke extraction systems, protection to cables and wiring providing power to emergency equipment.
+32 1 571 33 51