Smoke control failure blamed for Frejus tunnel deaths

Fire experts have identified failed smoke control measures as responsible for the death of two truck drivers in a fire in the Frejus Alpine tunnel in June 2005. The fire is believed to have started in the engine of one HGV travelling from France to Italy. The fire spread to the cargo of tyres and then to at least three other trucks, one loaded with epoxy adhesive. The men who died got away from the vicinity of the fire but died from smoke inhalation. Seventeen people were treated for smoke inhalation. Safety measures in the tunnel were upgraded after the 1999 Mont Blanc tunnel disaster and smoke dampers were installed. They should allow the tunnel's existing ventilation system to suck the smoke away. The fire may have been too big for the ventilation system to cope with. There are plans to drive a parallel escape tunnel alongside the tunnel, due for completion in 2011.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03077683
• Authors:
  • PARKER, D
• Publication Date: 2005-6-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p5
• Serial:
  • NEW CIVIL ENGINEER
  • Publisher: EMAP CONSTRUCT LIMITED
  • ISSN: 0307-7683

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Control; Crashes; Drivers; Failure; Fatalities; Fire; Mountains; Trucks; Tunnels; Ventilation systems
• Uncontrolled Terms: Causes
• Geographic Terms: France; Italy
• ITRD Terms: 1643: Accident; 9003: Cause; 3874: Control; 1772: Driver; 5520: Failure; 1602: Fatality; 1624: Fire; 8036: France; 8051: Italy; 1236: Lorry; 4048: Mountain; 3374: Tunnel; 3392: Ventilation
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors; I54: Construction of Tunnels; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01014150
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Dec 22 2005 2:00PM