A world leader in the field of tunnel ventilation and fire
safety since the 1920s, Mott MacDonald provides leading edge skills
in a wide range of areas from ventilation and cooling, smoke
modelling, prediction and removal, to fire safety and evacuation
procedures.
Tunnels and underground spaces pose unique challenges for fire and
life safety given the confined conditions, restricted access and
egress arrangements and the characteristics of the fire loads and
occupants. Fire incidents can have severe consequences in terms of
lives lost, damage to assets and disruption to operations.
At Mott MacDonald, we deliver fire safety solutions tailored to the
specific needs of each project. We develop holistic fire strategies
to ensure safe operations, covering structures, equipment,
vehicles, staffing and operating procedures.
Modelling of tunnel fires
Our projects include rail tunnels and underground stations, road
tunnels and utility tunnels. We design completely new systems and
refurbishment or extension of existing systems.
Where compliance with prescriptive regulations cannot be achieved,
we can identify and develop appropriate performance-based solutions
to suit the specific circumstances, using our in-depth knowledge of
transport systems, fire and smoke phenomena, human behaviour and
risk reduction measures.
Evacuation modelling using STEPS software
(Simulation of Transient Evacuation and Pedestrian
Movements)
Our expertise encompasses:
§ in-depth knowledge of national and international fire safety
regulations, guidance and standards
§ development of holistic fire safety strategies
§ performance-based fire engineering design
§ fire and smoke movement analyses, from empirical calculations to
3-D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling
§ analysis of structural response to fire effects using analytical
and computational models
§ evacuation analysis, including human factors, 3-D evacuation
simulations and provisions for mobility impaired persons
§ fire protection of vehicles (road and rail)
- assessment of fire loads and fire sizes
- fire performance of materials and construction of
components
§ design and specification of fire systems
- fire detection and warning systems
- smoke control systems
- passive fire protection
- automatic fire extinguishing systems
§ access and facilities for fire and rescue services
§ fire risk assessment (qualitative and quantitative)
§ cost-benefit analysis of fire safety provisions
Visualisation of smoke spread in station
concourse
