THE SEVERITY OF HGV FIRES IN TUNNELS

To date, only one experimental fire test of a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) in a tunnel has been carried out. This fire test was not typical of real HGV fires in tunnels for a number of reasons. A new fire model has been developed to estimate the size of HGV fires in tunnels. Based on the results of three different research projects, this model predicts the probability distribution of maximum fire size for a HGV fire in a tunnel, subject to longitudinal ventilation, and also the probability of this fire spreading to an adjacent HGV. The preliminary version of the model, CERBERUS A1.1, is briefly described. Results are presented for a number of different longitudinal ventilation velocities, vehicle separation distances and cargo types. The trends observed in these results and their implications for life safety are discussed. Development of the model is ongoing, the intended future capabilities of the model are briefly discussed. (A)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/1463242X
• Corporate Authors:

  ITC LTD

  PO BOX 452
  KEMPSTON, BEDFORD,   United Kingdom  MK43 9PL
• Authors:
  • CARVEL, R O
  • Beard, A N
  • JOWITT, R W
• Publication Date: 2003

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 6-10
• Serial:
  • TUNNEL MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL
  • Volume: 6
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: ITC LTD
  • ISSN: 1463-242X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash severity; Fires; Heat; Injury severity; Mathematical models; Safety; Simulation; Speed; Test procedures; Trucks; Tunnels; Ventilation systems
• Uncontrolled Terms: Longitudinal
• ITRD Terms: 1624: Fire; 6743: Heat; 9039: Longitudinal; 1236: Lorry; 6473: Mathematical model; 1665: Safety; 1623: Severity (accid, injury); 9103: Simulation; 5408: Speed; 6288: Test method; 3374: Tunnel; 3392: Ventilation
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Motor Carriers; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00962731
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Sep 3 2003 12:00AM