FR2885529A1 - Safety installation for tunnel, has group of pipe-lines disposed on inner circumference of tunnel and of medium circulation zones, where openings are generated by fire in section of pipe-lines - Google Patents

Abstract

The installation has a group of pipe-lines (1) disposed on an inner circumference of a tunnel (T) and of medium circulation zones, where openings are generated by the fire in a section of the pipe-lines. The pipe-lines are connected to a fluid distribution unit (4) and a group of smoke extractors (2). Detectors (5) are coupled to the extractors to detect a high temperature and the presence of smokes, where actuated power of each of the extractors depends on a location of an accident zone.

Description

SAFETY INSTALLATION

  The invention relates to the technical field of safety installations and equipment in case of fire in tunnels.

  Numerous works and researches have been developed to improve the safety in the event of fire, in particular on the pipelines transporting fluids, water, carbon dioxide, likely to extinguish or to reduce the fire.

  These pipes self-destruct at a certain temperature thus allowing, in the locations considered, to allow the projection of the fluid required for extinction. This has been described in numerous publications, GB 2,128,084, PCT WO 91/08022, DE 10224505 for example.

  The problem is nevertheless the evacuation of fumes that are stifling and hinder the intervention of firefighters and relief in general. Fans groups are likely to intervene but, to the knowledge of the applicant, their action is insufficient because there are significant power losses due to their distance between the tunnel exits and the random place where can appear the disaster.

  The applicant's approach was therefore to reflect on a new concept of tunnel safety with better smoke control and off-tunnel evacuation.

  According to a first characteristic, the safety installation in case of fire in tunnels, of the type employing self-destructible pipes to heat, is remarkable in that it comprises a battery of pipes disposed on the inner periphery of the tunnel. tunnel and the vehicle circulation zone, which are connected to fluid distribution means (water, carbon dioxide) and smoke extractors, and in that temperature rise and smoke presence detectors are coupled to the smoke extractor blocks, and in that the actuated power of each of the smoke extractor blocks depends on the location by the detector (s) of the area of the incident.

  In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting manner illustrated in the figures of the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the security installation according to the invention; in its basic concept.

  - Figure 2 is a schematic view illustrating, in cross section, a tunnel equipped with a plurality of pipes.

  In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting manner illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

  There is shown a tunnel (T) receiving the installation (I), according to the invention, security to fight against fires.

  The installation comprises a battery of pipes (1) which are arranged in parallel and advantageously on the inside perimeter of the tunnel, on its vault and its sides, but also on the road of passage to places such that the circulation of the vehicles is not not embarrassed. These pipes are made of materials that decompose or self-destruct in case of temperature rise corresponding to that generated by a fire.

  These pipes are designed in the manner described in the aforementioned patents in the preamble of the application. According to the invention, these pipes are connected together, or by subsets, to a primary circuit which is intended to supply them with fluid (water, carbon dioxide or other) intended to be projected on the fire at the appropriate places necessary, or to use them as means for conveying fumes released by the fire, thanks to smoke extractors (2), including adjustable power fans.

  In practice, and as it appears in FIG. 1, the primary circuit defined by the pipes located near the ground (S) of the site in question is arranged at each end of the tunnel with reversing valves (3) which allow access one or more storage tanks (4) for fluid (water, carbon dioxide) and one or more smoke extraction units (2) operating to extract the fumes by suction and reverse ventilation. Thus, each tunnel entrance is equipped with these means which are interactive and not independent to operate simultaneously. Furthermore, fire detectors (5) measuring, for example, the increase in temperature and the presence of smoke, are arranged along the tunnel near the pipes, and their location in this tunnel is predetermined. This and these detectors are thus coupled with each of the smoke extractor blocks (2) disposed at each entrance of the tunnel and their actuation will corollary result in the powering of the extractors at different levels. We will therefore adjust the power of each of the fume extraction blocks to prevent loss of load and thus optimize the operation of the two extraction blocks.

  The installation can be managed by computer control using appropriate means known to the trade. Thus, the power of the extractor blocks will be determined by calculation and with respect to the locations of the detectors.

  The installation can remain in standby under pressure and under vacuum depending on the complexity of the chosen solution.

  The section of the pipes, the openings made and generated by the fire on said pipes allow the forced suction of the fumes which will thus evacuate through the pipes to the outside gradually decreasing, and at least partly, the cloud of fumes in the tunnel preventing or limiting the interventions of firefighters and rescue teams. The choice of the constituent materials of the pipes is established so that the destruction of the walls is immediate at a certain safety temperature and allow the projection of the extinguishing fluids. The operation on the control of the inverter valves is predetermined by the stop of the distribution of the fluid and allow the aspiration of the fumes. This can be done according to an alternating period of operation also controlled by computer or by the person in charge of permanence.

  In a variant, the installation comprises two parallel circuits operating simultaneously. The first circuit is composed of fluid distribution lines (water, carbon dioxide), the second circuit is composed of pipes for the extraction of fumes. These pipes are coupled in pairs with one for the distribution of the fluid, the other for the aspiration of the fumes. The set of pipes is made of the same material to self-destruct simultaneously at the place of the disaster and ensure dual function. In this situation, there is no inverter device. On the other hand, there is the arrangement of the temperature and smoke detectors and their coupling with the forced extracting smoke extraction units, and the computer management of the installation.

  The advantages are apparent from the invention. We highlight the new concept of safety that allows to act successively or simultaneously on the consequences of the fire involving the self-destruction of the pipes or triggering for the distribution of fluids or extraction of fumes. This creates a bubble of protection symmetrically with the location of the flames which confines the fire and reduces it to nothing. The extraction of the fumes begins after a certain time or after a signal of disappearance of the flames after detection, either on the initiative of the supervisors according to the chosen strategy. Of course, depending on the length of the tunnels, the installation can be modulated and it can be scheduled for operational lengths of tunnels, and adapted if necessary. Several installations will be arranged successively in the tunnel which will be arranged for this purpose to accommodate them, in the case of very long tunnel.

Claims (1)

6 claims   -1- safety installation in case of fire in tunnels, of the type employing self-destructible pipes to heat, characterized in that it comprises a battery of pipes (1) disposed on the inner periphery of the tunnel and of the vehicle circulation zone, which are connected to fluid distribution means (4) (4) (water, carbon dioxide) and smoke extractors (2), and in that detectors (5) for elevation of temperature and presence of smoke are coupled to the smoke extractor blocks, and in that the actuated power of each of the smoke extractor blocks depends on the location by the detector (s) (5) of the area of the incident.   -2- Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the pipes located near the ground (S) define the primary circuit, and the latter is arranged at each end of the tunnel with inverter valves (3) which allow the access to one or more fluid storage tanks (4) and to one of the smoke extractor groups (2), the pipes operating either for the distribution of the fluid or for the extraction of the fumes.   -3- Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two parallel circuits operating simultaneously, the first circuit for the distribution of fluids and the second for the suction of fumes being coupled in pairs.   -4- Installation, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it includes means for its management by computer control.