The last decades have shown an increasing number of incidents in tunnels during construction which has outlined the need for fire and rescue operations under atypical conditions. Thus, emergency managements needs to be an integral part of the Health and Safety measures on tunnel construction sites. It is of the utmost importance to include emergency response organizations as early as possible, starting in the planning phase. Tunnel construction sites or similar subsurface structures e.g. hydro power plants, with their complex network of tunnels, cross passages and caverns, call for specific considerations and in-depth knowledge of emergency organizations, emergency procedures, smoke management and other risks which might occur during the construction phase. The characteristics of fire and smoke spread in tunnels under construction are different from those in tunnels under operation, due to the more confined space. Escape routes can therefore be long and ventilation can be challenging.
This instalment of the Lunchtime lecture series focused on 'H&S lessons from recent projects' in collaboration with ITA-AITES WG5. The episode featured two lectures and finished with a Q&A with all speakers.
- Tunnel disaster response - an introduction in emergency management during construction phase - Michael Halwachs
- Emergency management in long deep tunnels during construction phase: smoke management and evacuation strategy - Walter Lanciano
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