Ventilation & Safety

Concept and design of the ventilation system is of fundamental importance to every tunnel. The system selected can have a considerable influence on the tunnel's cross section, its alignment, the number and size of its ventilation shafts, the effect the tunnel will have on the environment and the amount of land it will require.

A number of severe tunnel fires have revealed how important fire safety is in tunnels. The ventilation system serves as one of the main safety installations in such events. Modern ventilation systems can keep tunnels free of smoke in emergency situations and, in this way, help to protect people.

Road tunnels have to be ventilated during normal operation in order to reduce the intensity of vehicle emissions. Even long rail tunnels and underground rail systems require a ventilation system for operation. Here, they control not only the quality of the air but also operating temperature and air humidity.

Our many years of experience in projects that span the globe allows our experts to support clients in all aspects of ventilation and tunnel safety engineering, from simulation modelling up to detailed design, as well as management and supervision of the installation works.

Range of services

Conceptual design of tunnel ventilation and safety systems

Study of alternatives, feasibility studies for tunnel ventilation systems and escape routes in all operating situations, development of new solutions taking into account project-specific constraints, assessment of environmental aspects in tunnel ventilation systems, control and regulation concepts for ventilation systems.

Detailed design of tunnel ventilation and safety systems

Planning and design from the pre-project phase right up to project implementation - tender documents, evaluation of bids and factory checks; site management, assembly checks and acceptance tests, planning and site monitoring, complete system tests and initial use.

Tunnel ventilation and cooling systems

Design and implementation of ventilation and cooling systems for all underground structures, provision of expert reports and advice in the field of air conditioning, cooling and ventilation systems.

System refurbishment

Refurbishment of tunnel ventilation systems including inventory and performance analysis for existing installations, design, planning and management of restoration of refurbishment measures with or without tunnel operation.

Safety and risk analysis

Check of safety systems, assessment of fitness for purpose, scope and effectiveness for required safety measures, quantified risk analysis, RAMS studies, analysis of best possible design for escape routes.