Prevention and Control of Highway Tunnel Fires

00450269https://doi.org/10.21949/14040961984PDFTech ReportFWHA/RD-83-032FiresFire fightingHazardous materialsTunnelsEgilsrud, PhilipNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATIONUS Transportation CollectionThis study investigates steps that can be taken to reduce the risk, damage, andfatalities from fires in existing and future highway tunnels and the effect ofunrestricted transit of hazardous materials through them. The history ofhighway tunnel fires is examined to discover the design and operating featuresbearing on ignition, spread, detection, alarm transmission, response, control,resulting damage, and survivability aspects. Major domestic highway tunneloperators are interviewed concerning tunnel fires and their responses tabulatedand compared. The procedures and results of several tunnel fire tests areexamined and their recommendations evaluated in light of historical evidence and operating experience concerning tunnel fires. A risk analysis for unrestricted transit of hazardous materials through a reference tunnel is performed and applied to 35 tunnels included in the study. Qualitative assessments of the effects of traffic, tunnel design, and operations on this risk are made. Comprehensive design and operating recomndations for prevention, detection, alarm, notification, control, extinguishmemt, suppression, and survival are developed. A ventilation system with a fire/emergency operating mode designed to provide motorists trapped in a tunnel fire with optimal escape potentialis described and its inclusion in future vehicular tunnels recommended.84