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Tunnel ventilation

Tunnel ventilation

01/03/2010 | Channel: Health & Safety

Rail renewal and maintenanced work in railway tunnels can be a hazardous undertaking, especially considering the dust and fumes generated from the work undertaken

Atmospheric pollutants can come in many forms including exhaust fumes from RRVs, bulldozers and locomotives; ballast dust from stone being removed or replaced; whacker plates; brake dust; fumes from welding, cutting and grinding. To help in managing this problem Factair has developed the most extensive range of temporary ventilation and monitoring equipment on the market. Factair has been supplying tunnel ventilation and air quality monitoring services to the rail industry for over 15 years. In that time it has developed a comprehensive fleet of ventilation fans, which can be deployed in a variety of configurations, this is supported by a sophisticated range of instruments to monitor the air quality in the tunnel and respiratory protective equipment for individuals working in the dustiest circumstances.

However, excusing the pun, nothing stands still in the rail industry and to cater for short duration and overnight work Factair has developed a self-contained engine-driven fan. When it comes to ventilating a railway tunnel there still is no substitute for horsepower and Factair has the most powerful temporary ventilation fans on the market and this philosophy has been continued with the latest unit, which should not be confused with smaller localised ventilation fans on the market. The four-bladed fan, which received Network Rail approval in October 2008 (ref: PA05/03658), is 1.74 metres in diameter and produces over 50m3/s in free air; this is critical in ensuring the complete column of air within the tunnel is kept moving. To minimise noise from the fan the diesel engine is super silenced; it also features a catalytic converter to reduce exhaust pollution. Fuel for the fan is contained within a bunded belly tank that has sufficient capacity for 12 hours of operation, and additionally the unit can be rapidly connected to remote extended-use fuel tanks.

The fan is supplied mounted on a rotary turntable base, a feature which is especially useful to help direct airflow around plant and locomotives which are parked directly in front of the fan. Additionally the air from the fan can be directed vertically by means of adjustable acoustic louvers mounted on the discharge. This feature enables the air to be directed away from the local work parties dramatically reducing airborne noise transmission. Despite having all these features the unit has been designed to be as compact as possible with a weight of less than two tonnes.

With this new fan Factair is able to offer an even quicker deployment time ensuring that on shorter duration projects there is minimal delay in setting up the ventilation. During the possession Factair’s engineers remain on site to ensure the equipment operates continuously and they regularly test air quality wherever there is a worksite within the tunnel. The pollutants tested for are: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, airborne dust particles, volatile organic compounds, acetylene, hydrogen sulphide as well as the oxygen level. This is a vital part of the service and is designed so that at no point do personnel within the tunnel have to leave the worksite because pollution levels have risen above those stipulated in EH40.

Visit Factair at Infrarail on Stand 740

For further information on Factair’s temporary tunnel ventilation and monitoring service call 01473 746400.