Nobel Fire Systems completes critical road tunnel work

Nobel Fire Systems, leaders in fire suppression technology has completed the refurbishment of the fire protection system for two major road tunnels managed by the Highways Agency.
The tunnels at Southwick, near Brighton and Roundhill, near Folkestone are fitted with extensive lighting and have ventilation fans to ensure adequate levels of air quality. Controls for these lights and fans are situated in close proximity to both the tunnels in purpose built Tunnel Support Buildings, known as TSB’s.
In recognition of the critical nature of the lighting and ventilation units within the tunnels, the controls housed inside the TSB’s are protected by multiple, large Carbon Dioxide gas systems designed to suppress flames in the unlikely event of a fire breaking out to protect the systems that support the tunnel.
Commissioned by 1st Option Fire Safety, Nobel was tasked to carry out Hydrostatic tests on the CO2 gas cylinders as part of the manufacturers 10 year mandatory check. In total there were 26 cylinders at Southwick and 20 at Roundhill.
Bearing in mind the critical nature of the work and the fact that none of the systems could be left inactive overnight, Nobel ensured that that the testing was carried out as a daytime installation, replacing 10 year old cylinders with either new or refurbished ones and systematically refurbishing all of the seven individual systems within the two tunnels.
Ben Parker, Commercial Director of Nobel Fire Systems commented,
“With the number of road tunnels already in use and the growing volume of traffic using those tunnels, safety issues are becoming increasingly important. While incidents in road tunnels may be no more frequent than those on the open road, the consequences of major incidents in the confined tunnel environment are potentially significantly more severe than on the open road and usually generate stronger reactions.
Nobel has extensive experience in this sector and we’re delighted to have been able to play our part in securing the safety of these two particular tunnels”