Proceedings:
Facilities, 12th Australian Tunnelling Conference
Publication Date:
Apr 2005
Authors:
Conrad Stacey
This paper explores topics related to the author’s interests and experience in tunnel and underground station design and operation. The paper draws on the author’s experience with Australian road and rail projects and American and Asian rail transit facilities as well as emerging opinions from Europe.
The first topic is pollution standards in road tunnels. When reviewed in a risk management framework, it is clear that in-tunnel pollution targets should not be absolutes. The allowable level for a particular traffic case should depend not only on the probability of that case but also on the consequences of particular pollution levels and the cost of reducing them just for the specific case.
The other primary topics relate to fire life safety. Arguments about the merits of installing sprinkler or deluge systems are unlikely to disappear in the short term. There is however a corollary topic which is not so often considered. That is; with a deluge system already installed, how should it best be used? The questions for deluge include how soon to operate, risks created by the deluge itself and how hard to ventilate while deluging. Taking another step back reveals a more profound question which is; with a longitudinal ventilation system installed, how should it best be used in a fire?
The way in which the project contracting method can affect the final ventilation and life safety outcomes is also considered, with pros and cons discussed for engineer’s design, DandC, and alliance delivery methods.
The first topic is pollution standards in road tunnels. When reviewed in a risk management framework, it is clear that in-tunnel pollution targets should not be absolutes. The allowable level for a particular traffic case should depend not only on the probability of that case but also on the consequences of particular pollution levels and the cost of reducing them just for the specific case.
The other primary topics relate to fire life safety. Arguments about the merits of installing sprinkler or deluge systems are unlikely to disappear in the short term. There is however a corollary topic which is not so often considered. That is; with a deluge system already installed, how should it best be used? The questions for deluge include how soon to operate, risks created by the deluge itself and how hard to ventilate while deluging. Taking another step back reveals a more profound question which is; with a longitudinal ventilation system installed, how should it best be used in a fire?
The way in which the project contracting method can affect the final ventilation and life safety outcomes is also considered, with pros and cons discussed for engineer’s design, DandC, and alliance delivery methods.
