Fire Safety Engineering

in Road Tunnels
AS4825:2011 – Some thoughts

Nigel Casey
Tunnel Technology, Motorways
Motorway
Existing Concessions

Courtesy – RMS, Major Projects 2023

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Motorway
…plus motorways managed by RMS (TfNSW)

Courtesy – RMS, Major Projects 2023

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Motorway
…plus projects in delivery and procurement

Courtesy – RMS, Major Projects 2023

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Motorway
…plus future projects

Courtesy – RMS, Major Projects 2023

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Fire Safety Concept

Courtesy – Stephen Grubits & Associates

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Emergency Response

Courtesy – Trafikverket
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Fire Incidents in Major Australian Road Tunnels
Historical data (1992 – 2016)

Casey, International Symposium on Tunnel Safety and Security, 2018

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Fire Incidents in Major Australian Road Tunnels
Annual vehicle kilometres travelled (billions) for each fire incident

Casey, International Symposium on Tunnel Safety and Security, 2018

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Fire Incidents in Major Australian Road Tunnels
Historical data can provide a guide to future frequency (and source) of fire incidents

Casey, International Symposium on Tunnel Safety and Security, 2018

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Fire Incidents in Major Australian Road Tunnels
Historical data can provide a guide to future frequency (and size) of fire incidents

Casey, International Symposium on Tunnel Safety and Security, 2018

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Fire Incidents in Major Australian Road Tunnels
Tunnels do not have the same frequency of fire incident…..

Casey, International Symposium on Tunnel Safety and Security, 2018

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AS4825 Tunnel Fire Safety
The Committee

AS4825, Tunnel Fire Safety

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AS4825 Tunnel Fire Safety
Acceptance Criteria

AS4825, Tunnel Fire Safety

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AS4825 Tunnel Fire Safety
IFEG

IFEG, ABCB
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AS4825 Tunnel Fire Safety
Acceptance Criteria

AS4825, Tunnel Fire Safety

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AS4825 Tunnel Fire Safety
Acceptance Criteria

AS4825, Tunnel Fire Safety

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AS4825 Tunnel Fire Safety
Objectives

How do we link objectives and acceptance criteria?

AS4825, Tunnel Fire Safety

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AS4825 Tunnel Fire Safety
Assessment Methods / Acceptance Criteria

Typical Assessment Methods / items that we assess

• Probabilistic Comparative Assessment
• Comparison of NSW Scope of Work & Technical Criteria vs NFPA502 vs PIARC (World Road Association)
• Are we safer than in other jurisdictions?
• Does NFPA502 and PIARC contemplate this complexity?

• Deterministic Egress Assessment

• Is RSET less than ASET?
• If we are achieving critical velocity and traffic flow is greater than 20kph?

• What is the Fire Brigade Intervention time?

• Disability Access (and Egress)

• BCA (NCC) Assessment

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AS4825 Tunnel Fire Safety
Assessment Methods / Acceptance Criteria

Project Specific Issues

• Tenability in Cut & Cover areas (higher tunnel clearance)

• Fire safety performance of sprayed concrete (spalling)

• Emergency Longitudinal Egress Passages (extra long)

• System to System responses particularly at tunnel to tunnel interfaces

• Operational Response to an Incident (extent of closure)

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AS4825 Tunnel Fire Safety
Maybe a different process?

Can our road tunnel fire safety requirements be re-aligned to:

Deemed-to-satisfy

areas where we’re doing business-as-usual

a detailed Trial Concept Design produced by the Principal

Trial Concept Design supported by fire safety performance of existing tunnels

AS4825, Tunnel Fire Safety

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AS4825 Tunnel Fire Safety
Acceptance Criteria – how safe is safe enough?

….and…

Alternative Solutions

areas where we’re doing something new or different

this would be focus of fire safety assessment on each project

AS4825, Tunnel Fire Safety

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AS4825 Tunnel Fire Safety
Existing Tunnels

AS4825, Tunnel Fire Safety

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AS4825 Tunnel Fire Safety
Dangerous Goods

AS4825, Tunnel Fire Safety

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AS4825 Tunnel Fire Safety
Dangerous Goods

Webinar – see Austroads Website

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AS4825 Tunnel Fire Safety
Referenced Australian Standards

AS4825, Tunnel Fire Safety

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AS4825 Tunnel Fire Safety
Roles & Responsibilities

AS4825, Tunnel Fire Safety

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AS4825 Tunnel Fire Safety
Credible Scenarios

AS4825, Tunnel Fire Safety

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AS4825 Tunnel Fire Safety
Trial Concept Design

AS4825, Tunnel Fire Safety

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 Australia (AS 4825): Trial Concept Design
Classification/requirements determined by:

AS 4825: TRIAL CONCEPT DESIGN FOR ROAD TUNNEL

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Tunnel Categorisation
Safety Requirements are stipulated based on tunnel characteristics, typically:

Tunnel Length (450m)

Traffic Throughput (low)

The following countries have specific characterisations and requirements:

USA – National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 502 Standard (2017)

Norway – Norwegian Public Roads Authority (NPRA) Road Tunnels Handbook (2014)

UK – Design of Road Tunnels – BD 78/99 (1999)

France – CETU: Safety Measures in New Road Tunnels (2000)

Europe – Minimum Safety Requirements for Tunnels (2004)

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Australia (AS 4825): Typical Requirements
Classification: Long Tunnel, Low Traffic

FIRE SAFETY OPERATION AND TRAFFIC CONTROL

• Booster facility • Portal entry signals
• Portal egress • Water supply • TMCS
• Fire-isolated exit • Deluge system
• Control Room
• Portable Extinguisher • Fire compartmentation
• Operator Response Plan
• Hose Reels • Fire protection of structural • Plan for emergency services
• Hydrants at portals elements • Illuminated exit signs
• Internal hydrants
• Strobe lights
• Warning signs
• Incident access door ID
• Emergency lighting
MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATIONS
• Passage/stair pressurisation • Automatic fire detection
• Natural Ventilation • Motorist emergency and fire service phones
• Dual Power supply and UPS for essential services • Emergency services radio
• Flame Traps (for drainage) • Door monitoring
• PA – Pre-recorded
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• Radio Re-broadcast
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 USA (NFPA 502): Mandatory Requirements
Classification/requirements determined by graph and table:

NFPA 502: Minimum road tunnel fire protection guide

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USA (NFPA 502): Mandatory Requirements
Classification: Category A

FIRE SAFETY OPERATION AND TRAFFIC CONTROL

• Booster facility • Portal entry signals
• Portal egress • Water supply • TMCS
• Fire-isolated exit • Deluge system
• Control Room
• Portable Extinguisher • Fire compartmentation
• Operator Response Plan
• Hose Reels • Fire protection of structural • Plan for emergency services
• Hydrants at portals elements • Illuminated exit signs
• Internal hydrants
• Strobe lights
• Warning signs
• Incident access door ID
• Emergency lighting
MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATIONS
• Passage/stair pressurisation • Automatic fire detection
• Natural Ventilation • Motorist emergency and fire service phones
• Dual Power supply and UPS for essential services • Emergency services radio
• Flame Traps (for drainage) • Door monitoring
• PA – Pre-recorded
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• Radio Re-broadcast
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 Norway (Road Tunnel Handbook): Requirements
Classification/requirements determined by graph and table:

Road Tunnel Handbook: Classification for <500m tunnel is the level below
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Norway (Road Tunnel Handbook): Requirements
Classification: Category D

FIRE SAFETY OPERATION AND TRAFFIC CONTROL

• Booster facility • Portal entry signals
• Portal egress • Water supply • Emergency Lay-bys
• TMCS • Turning Points
• Fire-isolated exit • Deluge system
• Control Room • Height control barrier
• Portable Extinguisher • Fire compartmentation
• Operator Response Plan • Remote controlled barrier
• Hose Reels • Fire protection of structural • Plan for emergency services • Changeable Signs
• Hydrants at portals elements • Illuminated exit signs
• Internal hydrants
• Strobe lights
• Warning signs
• Incident access door ID
• Emergency lighting
MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATIONS
• Passage/stair pressurisation • Automatic fire detection
• Natural Ventilation • Motorist emergency and fire service phones
• Dual Power supply and UPS for essential services • Emergency services radio
• Flame Traps (for drainage) • Door monitoring
• Adequate ventilation to meet critical velocity • PA – Pre-recorded
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• Radio Re-broadcast
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 UK (BD 78/99): Mandatory Requirements
Classification/requirements determined by graph and table:

BD 78/99: Basic Safety Provisions for Tunnel Categories

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UK (BD 78/99): Mandatory Requirements
Classification: Category B

FIRE SAFETY OPERATION AND TRAFFIC CONTROL

• Booster facility • Portal entry signals
• Portal egress • Water supply • Lane Control Signals
• TMCS • Em. Stopping Lane
• Fire-isolated exit • Deluge system
• Control Room • Em. Walkway
• Portable Extinguisher • Fire compartmentation
• Operator Response Plan • Escape Doors
• Hose Reels • Fire protection of structural • Plan for emergency services
• Hydrants at portals elements • Illuminated exit signs
• Internal hydrants
• Strobe lights
• Warning signs
• Incident access door ID
• Emergency lighting
MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATIONS
• Passage/stair pressurisation • Automatic fire detection
• Natural Ventilation • Motorist emergency and fire service phones
• Dual Power supply and UPS for essential services • Emergency services radio
• Flame Traps (for drainage) • Door monitoring
• Adequate ventilation to meet critical velocity • PA – Pre-recorded
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• Radio Re-broadcast
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• CCTV
 France (CETU): Provisions
Classification/requirements determined by:

CETU: Summary Tables of Provisions

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France (CETU): Provisions
Classification: Urban Tunnel 2 Tubes

FIRE SAFETY OPERATION AND TRAFFIC CONTROL

• Booster facility • Portal entry signals
• Portal egress • Water supply • Lane Control Signals
• TMCS • Em. Stopping Lane
• Fire-isolated exit • Deluge system
• Control Room • Em. Walkway
• Portable Extinguisher • Fire compartmentation
• Operator Response Plan • Em. Recesses (200m)
(2 per em. recess) • Fire protection of structural • Plan for emergency services • Fire recesses (200m)
• Hose Reels elements • Illuminated exit signs • Em. Veh Parking at portal
• Hydrants at portals
• Strobe lights
• Internal hydrants
• Warning signs
(every 200m)
• Incident access door ID
• Emergency lighting
MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATIONS
• Passage/stair pressurisation • Automatic fire detection
• Natural Ventilation • Motorist emergency and fire service phones
• Dual Power supply and UPS for essential services • Emergency services radio • Ventilation monitoring
• Flame Traps (for drainage) • Door monitoring • Incident detection
• Adequate ventilation to meet critical velocity • PA – Pre-recorded
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• Radio Re-broadcast
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• Communication between tubes in air lock room
 Europe (EU Min. Safety Requirements for Tunnels)
Classification/requirements determined by:

EU Minimum Safety Requirements Summary

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Europe (EU Min. Safety Requirements for Tunnels)
Classification: Urban Tunnel 2 Tubes

FIRE SAFETY
• Booster facility OPERATION AND TRAFFIC CONTROL
• Water supply • Portal entry signals
• Portal egress • Deluge system • Em. Station (150m)
• TMCS • Crossing of Central
• Fire-isolated exit • Fire compartmentation
• Control Room Reserve @ Portals
• Portable Extinguisher • Fire protection of structural
• Operator Response Plan
• Hose Reels elements • Plan for emergency services
• Hydrants at portals
• Illuminated exit signs
• Internal hydrants
• Strobe lights
(every 250m)
• Warning signs
• Incident access door ID
• Emergency lighting
MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL MONITORING AND COMMUNICATIONS
• Passage/stair pressurisation • Automatic fire detection
• Natural Ventilation • Motorist emergency and fire service phones
• Dual Power supply and UPS for essential services • Emergency services radio
• Flame Traps (for drainage) for dangerous goods veh. • Door monitoring • Incident detection
• Adequate ventilation to meet critical velocity • PA – Pre-recorded
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• Radio Re-broadcast
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• Loudspeakers in shelters
AS4825 Tunnel Fire Safety: Trial Concept Design
Consideration

• Why is our base position (TCD) more onerous?

• Is the fire safety process set up to remove items from the TCD?

• Does this extra cost affect the assessment of viability of road tunnel projects?

• Does this mean that projects may move away from tunnels as a solution, when it may be the most efficient
overall solution?

AS4825, Tunnel Fire Safety

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Fire Safety Engineering
in Road Tunnels
AS4825:2011 – Some thoughts

Nigel Casey
Tunnel Technology, Motorways