Complete tunnel fire protection system
Complete fire protection solutions for tunnel infrastructure.
With more than one billion vehicles on the road worldwide, road infrastructure has become critical to both businesses and individuals. The use of vehicles on such a large scale is resulting in a high demand for the construction of high quality transportation networks and an increase in the number of tunnels.
Protecting tunnels from fire hazards presents many unusual challenges. Tunnels have dense traffic, different types of vehicles with different amounts of fuel or combustion methods. The possibility of long-range fires creates the need for a fire protection system that enhances safety and minimizes the risk of fire spread. Tyco Fire's innovative integrated fire protection solutions can suppress hot spots in even the most challenging environments, making it easier to manage fire risk and ensure the protection of people, property and the environment.
The TYCO model TN-17 horizontal nozzle with K=240 (K16.8) is a specialized nozzle used in fire sprinkler systems in tunnels. The product is an improved alternative to traditional designs.
The TN-17 nozzle with enhanced coverage function generally requires the installation of only one pipe along the entire length of the tunnel (unlike traditional designs, which use several pipes to provide sufficient coverage).
The TN-17 nozzle is connected to a flooded fire protection system. The TN-17 nozzle provides coverage of up to 5 m x 10 m (by comparison, standard sprinklers used have a maximum coverage area of 3.0 m x 3.0 m).
Technical details:
- Minimum operating pressure: 0.7 bar (10 psi)
- Maximum operating pressure: 2.1 bar (30 psi)
- Minimum height to ground: 5.5 m (18 ft)
- Maximum height to ground: 12.2 m (40 ft)
- Pipe threaded connections: 3/4" NPT or ISO 7-R 3/4
- Flow rate: K=241.9 l/min at 0.5 bar (16.8 GPM at 0.5 psi),
- Finish: Natural brass
- Physical characteristics: Frame - brass, Deflector screw - stainless steel, Deflector - brass, Deflector nut - bronze
Model TN-25 horizontal nozzle with K=360 (K25.2) is a specialized nozzle used in fire sprinkler systems in tunnels. The product is an improved alternative to traditional designs.
The TN-25 nozzle with enhanced coverage function, as a rule, requires the installation of only one pipe along the entire length of the tunnel (unlike traditional designs, which use several pipes to provide sufficient coverage).
The TN-25 nozzle is connected to a flooded fire protection system. The TN-25 nozzle provides coverage of up to 5.0 m x 7.5 m (by comparison, standard sprinklers have a maximum coverage area of 3.0 m x 3.0 m).
Technical details:
- Minimum operating pressure: 0.5 bar (7 psi)
- Maximum operating pressure: 2.1 bar (30 psi)
- Minimum height to ground: 5.5 m (18 ft)
- Maximum height to ground: 12.2 m (40 ft)
- Pipe threaded connections: 1" NPT or ISO 7-R 1
- Flow rate: K=362.9 l/min at 0.5 bar (25.2 GPM at 0.5 psi),
- Finish: Natural brass
- Physical characteristics: Frame - brass, Deflector screw - stainless steel, Deflector - brass, Deflector nut - bronze.
Protection of the tunnel structure
The system, controlling the fire at the initial stage of development, perfectly controls the fire then extinguishes it. It perfectly protects the structure from damage that a fire could cause.
Thanks to the system, up to several hours after the firefighting action, traffic in the tunnel can be safely resumed
Safe movement of ADR and electric vehicles
The sprinkler system ensures the passage of ADR and electric vehicles.
In the case of electric vehicles, which is the challenge of the current times, it is not possible to extinguish such a fire with any system, but we are able to control it enough to protect the structure and carry out a safe evacuation.
ADR vehicle fires will also be perfectly controlled by a sprinkler system, and it is also possible to retrofit the system with a foam agent dispensing and storage system.
Visibility
Excellent visibility during operation of the system to enable safe evacuation and work in the tunnels of firefighting and rescue services. As can be seen in the photo, the system controls the fire enabling firefighters to safely approach at close range extinguishing the fire.
Visibility ensures safe evacuation.
Potential power of fires
The frequency of fires in tunnels averages 1 fire every 12mths per 3km of tunnel. The sprinkler fire suppression system has been tested for a 100MW test fire (fire power equal to a stack of 441 wooden pallets). The potential fire power is:
- Passenger car - 4-6MW.
- Vans loaded with GVW up to 3.5t - 10-25MW (depending on the amount and type of goods carried).
- Truck fully loaded with furniture or pallets - 80-100MW.
- Tour bus fully loaded with luggage - 50MW. ✓ City bus - 50MW.
Causes of fires
Taking into account that car accidents are the cause of only 1% of fires in tunnels this speed limit does not prevent the occurrence of fires. The main cause is the technical condition of vehicles, below the average age of a car in Poland:
- Passenger car - 14.1 years (EU average 11.5 years).
- Delivery trucks up to 3.5 tons GVW - 13.6 years (EU average 11.6 years).
- Buses - 15.6 years (EU average 11.6 years).
- Trucks - 12.2 years (average 13 years).
The example illustrates the potential power of an RV fire of about 30MW and its stabilization at as low as 10 MW, not allowing the fire to grow then extinguishing it.
C-5M Alvenius thermoplastic coated piping.
Tunnels are highly acidic environments where adequate corrosion protection and C-5M resistance categories are essential.
The use of piping made of high-density steel coated both internally and externally with a thermo plastic coating provides resistance to C-5M corrosion categories. The piping comes with a 10-year manufacturer's warranty, the declared service life of the piping under C-5M conditions is 50 years.
Certification and warranty
All components of the system have Polish CNBOP certificates, which guarantees a trouble-free installation acceptance process. The sprinklers are certified as both water and water-foam sprinklers. We provide a 10-year manufacturer's warranty on both the piping and other equipment.
Cost comparison of the different systems
The cost of the sprinkler system relative to the contract value is only ≈ 2%.