Smoke propagation in the region of cross‐passages in long railway tunnels – Results from full scale tests

Abstract

Research on rail tunnel smoke dispersion was carried out on a completed section (KAT 1) of the Koralmtunnel in Austria. Field tests were performed on a scale of 1:1, covering fires with a maximum heat release rate of up to 22 MW. Smoke dispersion as well as the related temperature distributions in various sections of the tunnel were monitored using video cameras. The focus of the investigation was placed on smoke dispersion in the region of the cross‐passages, i.e. on those sites where passenger evacuation normally takes place. The tests were intended to provide information on which type of escape door (swing door or sliding door) is most suited for passenger evacuation via the cross‐passages. In order to provide sufficiently safe conditions during the self‐evacuation phase, it is highly desirable that smoke does not impair escape. The tests aimed at investigating the interconnections between fire load, smoke production rate, and escape possibilities, as a function of the installed ventilation system and the related parameters.