Tunnel firefighting tactics
Expert-defined terms from the Advanced Certificate in Tunnel Fire Protection course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Advanced Certificate in Tunnel Fire Protection #
A certification program that provides fire protection professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in tunnel fire protection, including tunnel firefighting tactics.
Air pressure ventilation system #
A ventilation system used in tunnels that uses fans to create positive or negative air pressure to control the movement of smoke and heat in the event of a fire.
Air track ventilation system #
A ventilation system used in tunnels that uses fans to create an airflow in the direction of traffic to control the movement of smoke and heat in the event of a fire.
Backup team #
A team of firefighters that provides support to the primary firefighting team in tunnel firefighting operations.
Burning rate #
The rate at which a material releases heat and energy when it is burning.
Compartmentation #
The division of a tunnel into smaller sections using fire-resistant materials to prevent the spread of fire and smoke.
Confined space #
A space that is large enough for a person to enter but has limited means of entry and exit, and is not designed for continuous occupancy.
Cross #
ventilation system: A ventilation system used in tunnels that uses openings on both sides of the tunnel to create an airflow to control the movement of smoke and heat in the event of a fire.
Decay period #
The period during which a fire's burning rate decreases due to a lack of fuel or oxygen.
Detection system #
A system used in tunnels to detect the presence of smoke, heat, or fire.
Fire control room #
A control center located in a tunnel that is used to monitor and manage fire protection systems and firefighting operations.
Fire growth period #
The period during which a fire's burning rate increases due to the availability of fuel and oxygen.
Fire load #
The total amount of heat energy released during a fire, typically measured in megajoules (MJ).
Fire resistance #
The ability of a material or structure to withstand fire and maintain its structural integrity.
Fire suppression system #
A system used in tunnels to extinguish or control fires, typically using water, foam, or gas.
Fixed firefighting system #
A fire suppression system that is permanently installed in a tunnel, such as a sprinkler system.
Flashover #
The rapid spread of fire from one part of a tunnel to another, typically due to the buildup of heat and smoke.
Fogging system #
A fire suppression system that uses water droplets to cool and suppress a fire.
Fuel load #
The amount of fuel available for a fire, typically measured in kilograms per square meter (kg/m2).
Hose line #
A length of fire hose used to transport water or other firefighting agents to a fire.
Hydrochloric acid #
A corrosive and toxic chemical that can be produced during a fire involving materials containing chlorine.
Incident command system #
A management system used by fire departments and other emergency services to coordinate and control their response to an incident.
Initial attack team #
The first team of firefighters to respond to a tunnel fire.
Isolation #
The separation of a fire from the rest of a tunnel using fire-resistant materials.
Mobile firefighting system #
A fire suppression system that is mounted on a vehicle, such as a fire engine.
Nozzle #
The end of a fire hose that directs the flow of water or other firefighting agents.
Positive pressure ventilation system #
An air pressure ventilation system that creates positive air pressure in a tunnel to control the movement of smoke and heat in the event of a fire.
Primary search #
The initial search for victims in a tunnel fire.
Radiant heat #
The heat energy emitted by a fire and felt by nearby objects or people.
Re flash #
The re-ignition of a fire after it has been extinguished.
Risk assessment #
The process of identifying and evaluating the risks associated with a tunnel fire.
Smoke #
The visible mixture of particles and gases produced by a fire.
Smoke exhaust system #
A system used in tunnels to remove smoke in the event of a fire.
Smoke filling time #
The time it takes for smoke to fill a tunnel in the event of a fire.
Smoke layer #
The layer of smoke that forms above a fire.
Smoke ventilation system #
A system used in tunnels to control the movement of smoke in the event of a fire.
Structural firefighting #
The use of firefighting tactics and techniques to protect and preserve structures from fire damage.
Thermal imaging camera #
A device that uses infrared technology to detect heat and produce an image of a fire.
Tunnel fire #
A fire that occurs in a tunnel, typically involving vehicles or other equipment.
Tunnel fire protection #
The measures and systems used to prevent and control fires in tunnels.
Tunnel firefighting tactics #
The strategies and techniques used by firefighters to extinguish or control fires in tunnels.
Underground fire #
A fire that occurs in an underground space, such as a subway tunnel.
Vaporization #
The process by which a liquid is converted into a gas, typically due to the heat of a fire.
Ventilation #
The process of controlling the movement of air in a tunnel to prevent the spread of smoke and heat in the event of a fire.
Ventilation control device #
A device used to control the movement of air in a tunnel, such as a fan or damper.
Ventilation system #
A system used in tunnels to control the movement of air, typically used in conjunction with a smoke exhaust system to remove smoke in the event of a fire.
Ventilation #
limited fire: A fire in a tunnel that is limited by the amount of air available for combustion.
Vertical ventilation #
The process of creating an opening in the roof of a tunnel to allow smoke and heat to escape.
Water curtain #
A fire suppression system that uses a curtain of water to cool and suppress a fire.
Water mist system #
A fire suppression system that uses a fine mist of water droplets to cool and suppress a fire.
Water spray system #
A fire suppression system that uses a spray of water to cool and suppress a fire.
Wet chemical system #
A fire suppression system that uses a chemical agent to extinguish or control a fire.