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Water Application Rates for Fixed Firefighting Systems in Road Tunnels
Track(s): Fire Suppression

Kenneth Harris, Parsons Brinckerhoff

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Find out more about the fixed firefighting systems (FFFS) that are gaining increased attention as a means to provide an early response to a road tunnel fire. One of the more difficult aspects about FFFS is defining their objectives. Five possible objectives can be defined for an FFFS: 1) extinguishment, 2) suppression, 3) control of burning, 4) exposure protection, and 5) prevention of fire. A fire incident response has many elements and it may be advantageous to consider that an FFFS is not necessary to extinguish the fire, but may instead be used to minimize the effects of the fire. This leads to consideration of the other four objectives. All five of these objectives can be shown to utilize the same basic mechanism for reduction of heat or heat release rate. Focusing on suppression and control of burning, however, may be the most effective utilization of FFFS.

Kenneth Harris is a Senior Supervising Engineer with Parsons Brinckerhoff specializing in tunnel fire suppression. Current work involves trying to coordinate disparate requirements for tunnel deluge systems and reduce water requirements, particularly for remote areas.