The 2 x 650 m-long Holmesdale tunnels, on the M25 in the UK, opened in 1984 but have now become a major point of congestion. The GBP75 million Highways Agency scheme to refurbish the tunnels involves the removal of jet fans located next to the carriageway to create more space. This has required the engineers to develop new ventilation methods that do not occupy valuable roadside space and are yet capable of introducing high volumes of air in an emergency to purge the tunnels of smoke.
Site work commenced in October for the installation of crucial ventilation equipment in the Holmesdale tunnels. The equipment, including Saccardo nozzles, will be supplied by ventilation engineers Senior Hargreaves. A similar contract has just been completed by the company for the Thames tunnels on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL). Visit www.hargreaves-ductwork.co.uk
The main contractor, Costain, has created new platforms extending 40 metres over the carriageways at the entrances to each tunnel. Each platform will carry around 100 tonnes of ventilation equipment.
This comprises a bank of louvres linked to five high power fans that ram air through wedge-shaped chambers to the Saccardo nozzles that deliver a high velocity air stream into the tunnel. Fans have been supplied by specialists Fläkt Woods. Each of the five fan, duct and Saccardo units can operate independently. Attenuators are installed on both sides of the fans and the main ductwork structure has noise absorbing panels to contain noise break-out. Visit www.flaktwoods.com
Systems were required to meet a minimum 25-year service life and so structural framework on the giant Hargreaves ducts is galvanised to marine specification. Ductwork panels are made in maintenance free stainless steel.
Under normal circumstances, the ventilation systems will be non operational. However, should an accumulation of carbon monoxide be detected in the tunnels, as may happen when traffic is slow or static, two fans will run to introduce fresh air and dissipate the gas and fumes.
In the event of a fire or accident in either tunnel, four fans will operate to introduce 370 cubic metres per second of air at high velocity. Additional air will also be entrained from the tunnel entrance. This will create airflow away from the tunnel entrance allowing drivers and passengers to evacuate and giving safer access for emergency services. The additional fan provides safety back-up in the event of breakdown and permits planned maintenance without affecting tunnel operation or the available ventilation capacity.
Detailed design of the environmental and emergency ventilation was by Capita Symonds. Mouchel Parkman developed the outline design for the Saccardo ventilation and is now the management contractor supervising the project on behalf of the Highways Agency. On completion of the installation of air injection equipment, Costain will build enclosures to screen the Hargreaves plant from view, protect it from weather and further reduce noise emission.
The site programme requires the completion of ventilation works by April 2007. To meet this stringent requirement, Hargreaves is prefabricating major elements of ductwork at their Bury factory so that these can be craned into position. The entire scheme is scheduled for completion by December 2007. Click here. 49/06.
