Coentunnel

The Client

The Department of Waterways and Public Works (Rijkswaterstaat) is a large government department in the Netherlands and is part of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment. Its role is the execution of the public works and water management, including the construction and maintenance of waterways and roads.

Risks & Consequences

Coentunnel is a tunnel running under the North Sea and it is part of one of the most significant road networks around Amsterdam. The Dutch Department of Waterways and Public Works demanded an effective, robust and reliable fire protection system within the infrastructure to tackle and deal swiftly with any fire incident. Closure of the tunnel and the associated down-times of whatever length have to be avoided or at least minimized.

The Task

Design, supply, install, commission and maintain a modular fire extinguishing system complete with fire detection in various-sized electrical cabinets that are positioned within the walling of the tunnel. The possibility of fires breaking-out in electrical panels is statistically one of the major causes of fire worldwide therefore their protection is a necessity and not a mere luxury. In fire situations reaction time of the extinguishing system is of the essence especially in a tunnel where smoke can badly affect driver visibility and lead to accidents.

Why FirePro?

The 1.283-metre long Coentunnel has a substantial supporting infrastructure for several functions including lights, ventilation, pumps that require a substantial number of control and other electrical cabinets, a fact that increases the risk of fire. The FirePro technology provides all the characteristics needed for a fire extinguishing system suitable for electrical panels which are reliability, modularity, adaptability and autonomy. And just as importantly the associated low maintenance requirement and long lifetime (15-years) of these systems offer further peace of mind to the operators of the tunnel.

Results of Implementation

FirePro Benelux CATTAS trained personnel completed the installation of 142 FirePro units in the control and other electrical cabinets within a record time of less than 4 days. Coentunnel with the installed fire protection system is unquestionably safer and more secure for travelers and personnel alike from unforeseen fire episodes that could potentially cause disruption to normal operations , structural damage as well as endanger lives.