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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND Tunnel Design and Construction Manual 2010 (3) and Rec-
ommendations for Bridge and Tunnel Security (4). A Do-
This synthesis reports on the state of knowledge and practice mestic Tunnel Scan conducted in August and September
for design fires in road tunnels. It includes a review of the 2009, lead to the report, Best Practices for Roadway Tunnel,
literature and research on current practices. A survey of trans- Design, Construction, Maintenance, and Operation (5).
portation agencies and tunnel owners to obtain their expe-
riences and practices with tunnel fire life safety systems such This synthesis report provides a literature review and syn-
as ventilation, fire protection, and detection is included. The thesis analysis of the latest available information, current prac-
survey solicited transportation agency opinions regarding tice, knowledge, and relevant research information related
problems with these systems, gaps in the current knowledge, to design fires in road tunnels. It includes a collection and
and what improvements they would like to see made. documentation of statistical data of fire incidents in road tun-
nels since 1949 through the last decade; collection and docu-
There has been considerable growth in tunnel construction mentation of existing data from fire tests in road tunnels; and
in the United States and worldwide, as well as an increase in identification of the gaps in this information. This informa-
road traffic. This has resulted in a societal concern with tun- tion was organized into a concise document that describes
nel safety. Over the past several years, fires in road tunnels current knowledge and practice. The final report provides
from large vehicles have shown the risks and consequences of practical solutions for fire life safety problems.
inadequate prevention. More than 50 individuals have died
in road tunnel fires in Europe over the last 10 years. The The report includes:
national fire analysis and research that was done in 2008
concluded that a fire occurs in a structure once every 61 s. · Different design standards, guidelines, documents, and
Fires occur in vehicles once every 134 s, and there were codes used worldwide.
236,000 vehicle fires in the United States in 2008. In 2008, · A synthesis of the results of different international proj-
350 individuals died in highway vehicle fires in the United ects and their recommendations.
States. Recent catastrophic tunnel fires have not only resulted · Tunnel fire events worldwide and their consequences.
in loss of life and severe property damage, but also left the · Tunnel fire tests results, including full- and small-scale
public with a decrease in confidence in the building and oper- experiments and gaps in those tests.
ation of new and existing tunnels. Although over the years · The latest developments, lessons learned, and identi-
much research has been carried out on tunnel safety, there are fication of gaps in available information to provide a
still many gaps in tunnel fire information that can cause dif- foundation for design guidance.
ficulties for tunnel designers.
This synthesis report is focused on tunnel fire dynamics
Several NCHRP research studies, work by the TRB Ac-
and means of fire management for design guidance. The
cess Management Committee, and publications by TRB,
objective of the study was to synthesize the available infor-
AASHTO, ITE, FHWA, NTSB and others have provided
mation related to design fires in roadway tunnels, identify
information and materials to state and local agencies on
gaps in that information, and provide a framework for design
tunnel safety. NCHRP Report 525: Volume 12, Making
guidance. The information obtained for this project can help
Transportation Tunnels Safe and Secure (TCRP Report 86)
state departments of transportation (DOTs), industry, and
addresses tunnel safety and security issues (1). The Inter-
other stakeholders as a basis for design guidance in making
national Technology Scanning Program, sponsored by
tunnels safer.
AASHTO and FHWA, issued a report in 2006, Underground
Transportation Systems in Europe: Safety, Operations, and
Emergency Response, with the objective of discovering what PROJECT OVERVIEW
is being done internationally for underground transportation
systems with regard to safety, operations, and emergency Every tunnel is unique, which makes it difficult to generalize
response (2). A number of recommendations and design design, and fire safety needs to be reviewed in an integral
manuals have been issued by the FHWA, including Road fashion. This comprises all aspects of fire safety, including
