Model Analysis of Smoke Control in Long Tunnel: Findings from Hsueh-Shan Tunnel Accident in Taiwan

Abstract

The common properties of risk in long tunnel fires are high temperature, extreme difficulty of evacuation, rescue urgency and obstacle to rescue operation. Therefore, a complete ventilation design is an indispensable safety measure. Hsueh-Shan Tunnel is the longest in Taiwan, the fifth longest in the world. On May 7, 2012, a serious tunnel fire caused two deaths and numerous victims suffered from smoke inhalation injury. Apart from this, there was smoking entering the cross-passages and shafts which were important for evacuation. In this research, the current ventilation system in Hsueh-Shan Tunnel was simulated with FDS (fire dynamics simulator) software, and the statistics of smoke, visibility and temperature profile were analyzed. The results of this research showed that, with the current ventilation system, the time was shorter and the distance was longer for the smoke spreading windward than in other models. Furthermore, the visibility of windward victims was more affected and the temperature above the fire source was higher than those in other systems. When the wind speed in tunnel is within 2.0~4.0 m/s, the condition for turning off the ventilation fan within 250 m upwind from the fire source can be prominently reduced to 50 m upwind from the fire source. This not only could avoid plume disturbance but also could be maintained. If victims' evacuation should be given the highest priority, it is recommended to straightly activate the maximum power of the fan. Language: en