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Investigation on the Performance of Fire Detection Systems for Tunnel Applications––Part 2: Full-Scale Experiments Under Longitudinal Airflow Conditions

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Abstract

This paper presents the results of the full-scale experiments conducted in a laboratory tunnel facility under longitudinal airflow conditions and in the Carré-Viger Tunnel. The performance of nine fire detection systems representing five types of the fire detection technologies for road tunnel applications was investigated using representative tunnel fire scenarios. The changes in fire characteristics caused by longitudinal airflow, such as fuel burning time, fire growth rate, temperatures and smoke spread in the tunnel, were measured and analyzed. The experimental results showed that the detection time of the fire detection systems under longitudinal airflow conditions could be increased or decreased, depending on the fuel type, fire size and location, airflow velocity and detection method.

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Acknowledgements

The project was conducted under the auspices of the Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF). The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the Technical Panel and Sponsors for the project. A special acknowledgement is noted to Kathleen Almand of the FPRF for managing the project. The support of the technical staff that conducted the tests is also acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fire Research Program, Institute for Research in Construction, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada

    Z. G. Liu, A. H. Kashef, G. D. Lougheed & G. P. Crampton

Authors
  1. Z. G. Liu
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  2. A. H. Kashef
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  3. G. D. Lougheed
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  4. G. P. Crampton
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. D. Lougheed.

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**Present address: Z. G. Liu, CAFS UNIT Inc., Ottawa, ON, Canada.

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Liu, Z.G., Kashef, A.H., Lougheed, G.D. et al. Investigation on the Performance of Fire Detection Systems for Tunnel Applications––Part 2: Full-Scale Experiments Under Longitudinal Airflow Conditions. Fire Technol 47, 191–220 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-010-0143-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-010-0143-3

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