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Fire Technology
Published in: Fire Technology 2/2013

01-04-2013

Fire Evacuation in Underground Transportation Systems: A Review of Accidents and Empirical Research

Authors: K. Fridolf, D. Nilsson, H. Frantzich

Published in: Fire Technology | Issue 2/2013

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Abstract

Previous fire accidents have shown that fires in underground transportation systems, e.g., tunnels and underground stations, can cause many fatalities. It is therefore important in fire safety design to give adequate consideration to all aspects related to evacuation. The main purpose of this paper is to provide guidance to engineers involved in the design of underground transportation systems, and to create a basis for future research in the area. A review of previously reported fire accidents and of empirical research is performed. The review of accidents is based on a theoretical framework, namely four accepted human behaviour theories, which can be used in the fire safety design of underground transportation systems. Factors important for fire evacuation in these types of facilities are also presented, and data related to these factors are summarised. The review reveals many potential solutions to commonly observed evacuation problems, but it also shows that there is room for further future research in the area.
previous article Theoretical and Experimental Study of Critical Velocity for Smoke Control in a Tunnel Cross-Passage
next article Fixed Fire Protection Systems in Tunnels: Issues and Directions

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Footnotes
1
Australia has left-hand traffic.
 
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Metadata
Title
Fire Evacuation in Underground Transportation Systems: A Review of Accidents and Empirical Research
Authors
K. Fridolf
D. Nilsson
H. Frantzich
Publication date
01-04-2013
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Fire Technology / Issue 2/2013
Print ISSN: 0015-2684
Electronic ISSN: 1572-8099
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-011-0217-x

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