Smoke Control Requirements for New Railway Infrastructure Ir Peter Law
Overview Railway Development in Hong Kong Regulatory Regime for Railway Fire Safety Formulation of Fire Safety Requirements Smoke Control Systems of Railway Projects Conclusion
Railway Development in Hong Kong Railways provide a reliable, fast and safe services to alleviate the pressure on the road network. Railway development in Hong Kong has experienced very fast growth. The urban rail network has covered most of the urban areas in Hong Kong.
Total Rail Length: approx. 218 Km Figure from MTRC - http://www.mtr.com.hk
Monthly Total (Unit in thousands) 180,000 MTR - Historic Patronage Figures 160,000 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 Intercity, Light Rail & Bus Cross-boundary Airport Express MTR Lines 0 Jul-15 Aug-15 Sep-15 Oct-15 Nov-15 Dec-15 Jan-16 Month Daily Average (Patronage): Over 4.5 Million Statistic data from MTRC - http://www.mtr.com.hk
Railway Development in Hong Kong 5 new railway lines WIL (Dec 2014 Completion) Policy Address 2007-08 觀塘綫延綫 KTE (Oct 2016 Completion) SIL(E) (Dec 2016 Completion) XRL (under construction) SCL (under construction)
Railway Development Strategy 2014 Providing a framework for planning the future expansion of Hong Kong s railway network up to 2031. Total length of the railways will extend to over 300 Km by 2031.
Regulatory Regime for Railway Fire Safety The Railway Development Strategy (RDS) Division of Hong Kong Fire Services Department (FSD) established on 2 April 2001.
Regulatory Regime for Railway Fire Safety Safety and Security Coordinating Committee 安全及保安統籌委員會 Trackside Safety and Security Committee 軌道安全及保安委員會 Station and Transport Integration Committee 車站及運輸綜合委員會 FSD is one of the core members of SSCC, TSSC and STIC.
Regulatory Regime for Railway Fire Safety Prescriptive Requirement CODES OF PRACTICE FOR MINIMUM FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS AND EQUIPMENT AND INSPECTION AND TESTING OF INSTALLATIONS AND EQUIPMENT April 2012 FSI Code FSD Circular Letters FS Code
Regulatory Regime for Railway Fire Safety Fire Engineering Design SFPE Handbook CIBSE Guide E
Formulation of Fire Safety Requirements Guidelines on Formulation of Fire Safety Requirements for New Railway Infrastructures 1 st Edition 2 nd Edition 3 rd Edition Fire Safety Strategy (FSS) Trackside Fire Safety Strategy (TFSS)
Formulation of Fire Safety Requirements Guidelines on Formulation of Fire Safety Requirements for New Railway Infrastructures 1 st Edition - Issued in January 2013 - Essential fire safety measures of railway lines 2 nd Edition - Issued in August 2013, bilingual version - Fire safety provisions of EAP, EEP, CP and site office - Special features of deep railway station 3 rd Edition - Issued in October 2016, bilingual version - General design requirements for smoke control systems
Smoke Control Systems in Railway Projects Smoke and hot gases are recognized as the major hazard. The control and essential removal of smoke from the premise is crucial for fire safety. The provisions of smoke control systems provide smoke free conditions and control the smoke spread for massive evacuation and fire-fighting.
New Practical Guidelines A new practical guidelines on smoke control systems for new railway infrastructures were developed and have been incorporated into Appendix VII of the guidelines. Annex a Dynamic Smoke Extractions System Annex b Pressurization of Staircase Annex c Tunnel Ventilation System
Smoke Extraction System (SES)
Smoke Extraction System (SES) Dynamic smoke extraction system is provided for: A Place of Safe Passage for 60 minutes (minimum). Cabin Concept for Concession Area.
Smoke Extraction System (SES) Fire Compartmentation Fan room accommodated more than one smoke extraction system.
Smoke Extraction System (SES) Fire Compartmentation All fans of the dynamic smoke extraction system forming part of a fire rated duct. The fan room shall contain no other services.
Smoke Extraction System (SES) Verification on System Performance The designer of dynamic smoke extraction system shall be a registered professional engineer in the discipline of building services, fire or mechanical engineering. Drawing and all calculations of dynamic smoke extraction system.
Smoke Extraction System (SES) Verification on System Performance Hot smoke test shall be conducted in accordance with the requirements as stated in FSD Circular Letter 2/2002.
Smoke Extraction System (SES) Smoke Discharge Arrangement Dedicated vent shaft shall be designed for smoke extraction purpose and it shall contain no other services. In order to prevent re-circulation of smoke into the system through the vent shaft, the smoke discharge outlet and fresh air intake louver shall be separated by not less than 5m in any direction from all air inlets or other building openings. No discharges shall be at a height above the surrounding horizontal surface of less than 3m to the bottom of the outlet and where below 6m shall not discharge downwards.
Smoke Extraction System (SES) Concession Areas The Cabin Concept is applied to concession areas of the station. Cabin Concept - Sprinkler Controlled Fire - Combination of smoke detection, sprinklers and a designated smoke extraction system.
Smoke Extraction System (SES) System Operation For parallel arrangement of smoke extraction fans or make up air fans, motorized fire and smoke dampers shall be provided for both suction side and discharge side to avoid system short circuit and smoke re-circulation.
Smoke Extraction System (SES) System Operation The smoke extraction system and associated ductwork/ equipment shall be operated at 250 o C for not less than 1 hour. In case the smoke temperature is higher than 250 o C, additional smoke extraction rate shall be provided to allow sufficient make-up air inside the smoke zone. Otherwise, fire rated protection with higher fire rating shall be applied to the smoke extraction system and associated ductwork/ equipment. The designer shall substantiate the smoke extraction rate and smoke temperature based on the design fire size and clear smoke height.
Smoke Extraction System (SES) System Operation Smoke extraction fans and make-up air fans shall be electrically interlocked. Smoke detection system, sprinkler flow switch and manual override facility. Once started, smoke extraction fans and make up air fan shall run continuously until stopped manually.
Integrated Back-up panel (IBP)
Manual Override Panel for Smoke Extraction System Main AFA Panel
Smoke Extraction System (SES) System Reliability Two dedicated electrical supplies shall be routed separately into the plant room and then connected into the switchboard for smoke extraction system. The switchboard serving smoke extraction system shall be located in plant room next to the fan room of smoke extraction system. The plant room shall not contain other equipment. Switchboard for smoke extraction system shall not be grouped with other services or installations. Smoke extraction fan shall be installed in duplicate with automatic changeover facilities.
Pressurization of Staircase (SPS)
Pressurization of Staircase (SPS) Staircase pressurization system is provided for: Maintain positive pressure within the protected space (pressurization) Fireman s staircases and corresponding staircase lobbies and fireman s lift lobbies. Design standards BS 5588 Part 4 FSD Circular Letter No. 02/2006
Pressurization of Staircase (SPS) Fire Compartmentation Dedicated pressurization fans shall be designed for the staircase and protected lobbies. The supply air duct serving the pressurized staircase has to penetrate the staircase enclosure, the portion of the duct located outside the staircase shall be enclosed by the same fire rating as the pressurized space or fire compartment passed, whichever is greater. Other non-essential services shall not pass through / not be installed at the protected lobby / staircase.
Fresh air Fresh air Fan room Fan room Air Release Pressure Relief 2 m/s MOA Staircase Pressurized 50 Pa Fireman s Lift Lobby Pressurized 45 Pa Accommodation 0 Pa Vent Shaft Direction of air flow (Open door scenario for MOA staircase)
Pressurization of Staircase (SPS) Verification on System Performance The designer of staircase pressurization system shall be a registered professional engineer in the discipline of building services, fire or mechanical engineering. The provision of air release shall be provided to the accommodation. The air release fan, ductwork and other associated equipment shall be suitable for continuous operation for the appropriate period of time and temperature as specified in the BS5588: Part 4 and FSD Circular Letter No. 2/2006.
Pressurization of Staircase (SPS) Smoke Discharge Arrangement The smoke discharge shall be remote from and preferably downwind of the intake of fresh air in order to prevent re-circulation of smoke. The discharge end / louvre of air release shall not be mixed with other louvre or system. Air release discharge outlets for staircase pressurization system shall be separated by not less than 5m in any direction from all air inlets or other openings into any building. No discharges shall be at a height above the surrounding horizontal surface of less than 3m to the bottom of the outlet and where below 6m shall not discharge downwards.
Pressurization of Staircase (SPS) System Configuration Dedicated plant room and vent shaft shall be allocated for staircase pressurization system. All fans of the staircase pressurization system for serving different fire compartments shall be installed in separate plant rooms with appropriate fire rated enclosure. The provision of air release and pressure relief shall be vented by dedicated vent shaft. Other services or ductworks shall not be connected to the vent shaft for any other purpose.
Pressurization of Staircase (SPS) System Operation For parallel arrangement of staircase pressurization fans, motorized fire and smoke dampers shall be provided at both suction side and discharge side to avoid system short circuit. When fire occurred within a pressurized staircase and detected by smoke detectors, the activation of the associated pressurization system shall be disabled. The staircase pressurization systems of other staircases shall be activated. Once started, staircase pressurization fan(s) shall run continuously until stopped manually.
Pressurization of Staircase (SPS) System Reliability Duplicate fans instead of dual motors shall be adopted. Dedicated switchboard shall be designed for the staircase pressurization system and shall not be grouped with other systems. The switchboard shall be located in the plant room next to the fan room for the staircase pressurization system. The plant room shall not contain other equipment. If not, the switchboard shall be provided with proper fire rated enclosure.
Tunnel Ventilation System (TVS)
Tunnel Ventilation System (TVS) Tunnel ventilation system is provided for: Drawing in fresh air from one end of the affected tunnel and expelling smoke at the other end via the vent shaft. Preventing back layering of smoke in the direction of passenger evacuation. Maintaining a smoke free path for emergency evacuation and fireman s access in case of fire.
Tunnel Ventilation System (TVS) Back-layering The reversal of movement of smoke and hot gases counter to the direction of the ventilation airflow. Critical velocity The minimum steady-state velocity of the ventilation airflow moving toward the fire within a tunnel or passageway that is required to prevent back-layering at the fire site
Tunnel Ventilation System Evacuation Direction (TVS) Pull Case 1 : Train head portion fire Push Push-Pull Effect Continuous operation at 250 o C for 2 hour
Tunnel Ventilation System Evacuation Direction (TVS) Push Case 2 : Train tail portion fire Pull Reversible Push & Pull direction
Tunnel Ventilation System (TVS) Ventilation Building Smoke Vent
Tunnel Ventilation System (TVS) Tunnel Ventilation Fans
Tunnel Ventilation System Fire Compartmentation Up-track and down-track of the tunnel shall be considered as different fire compartments. No other services or equipment shall be installed or located inside the tunnel. Essential equipment servicing the tunnel and supporting daily train operation, such equipment shall be installed properly and physically separated from the tunnel. When plant room houses more than one tunnel ventilation system to serve fire mode operation, separate fire rated enclosure shall be provided to each tunnel ventilation system.
Tunnel Ventilation System
Tunnel Ventilation System Verification on System Performance The designer of tunnel ventilation system shall be a register professional engineer in the discipline of building services, fire or mechanical engineering. For the calculation of critical velocity, total heat release rate (fire size) shall be adopted instead of convective heat release rate.
Tunnel Ventilation System Smoke Discharge Arrangement In order to prevent re-circulation of smoke into the system via vent shaft, the smoke discharge outlets shall be separated by not less than 5m in any direction from all air inlets or other openings into any building. The outlets shall not discharge into any means of escape nor a free air fireman s staircase. No discharges shall be at a height above the surrounding horizontal surface of less than 3m to the bottom of the outlet and where below 6m shall not discharge downwards.
Tunnel Ventilation System System Configuration The tunnel ventilation system shall be designed to prevent the hot smoke flowing from the incident tunnel to non-incident tunnel via the cross-over area and cross-wall / cross-passage door. If there are a dedicated Means of Access (MoA) corridor and MoA / EAP staircase near the overrun tunnel / main tunnel, provisions such as smoke lobby shall be provided to prevent smoke spilling into the MoA corridor and MoA / EAP staircase. Tunnel ventilation control panel shall be provided for tunnel ventilation systems and located adjacent to main fire control panel at Station Control Room (SCR) / Fire Control Room (FCR).
Tunnel Ventilation System System Operation The tunnel ventilation system with associated ductwork and equipment shall be operated at 250 C for not less than two hours. In case the smoke temperature is higher than 250 C, additional smoke extraction rate shall be provided to allow sufficient make-up air inside the smoke zone to be entrained and ensure the airstream temperature inside the system is less than 250 C. Otherwise, fire rated protection with higher fire rating shall be applied to the tunnel ventilation system with associated ductwork and equipment to withstand the smoke temperature and maintain normal operation of the tunnel ventilation system. The designer shall substantiate the smoke extraction rate and smoke temperature based on the design fire size and critical velocity.
Tunnel Ventilation System System Operation For parallel arrangement of tunnel ventilation fans, motorized fire and smoke dampers shall be provided at both suction side and discharge side to avoid system short circuit. When tunnel ventilation system start under fire mode, tunnel ventilation fans shall run continuously until stopped manually. The tunnel ventilation system shall not be controlled or under the influence of any building management or automation system. Overall operating status of related mode of the tunnel ventilation system should be individually monitored by the affected stations.
Tunnel Ventilation System System Reliability Switchboard for tunnel ventilation system shall not be grouped with other services or installations. The switchboard serves the fan/motor/drive sets of tunnel ventilation system shall be located in plant room next to fan room of tunnel ventilation fan. The plant room shall not contain other equipment. Two dedicated electrical supplies shall be routed separately into the plant room and then connected into the switchboard for tunnel ventilation system. When tunnel ventilation system activates under fire mode, all respective standby tunnel ventilation fans shall be fully utilized in case of any failure of the duty tunnel ventilation fans.
Conclusion Higher public expectation on fire safety of railway services & align with the world s enhanced fire safety requirements FSD offered persistent support to new railway projects and promulgated a guidelines on fire safety requirements for new railway infrastructures Guidelines on Formulation of Fire Safety Requirements for New Railway Infrastructures (3 rd Issue) was promulgated in October 2016. FSD will take proactive approach in elevating fire safety standards of railway development in Hong Kong.