Fire protection system upgrade to Channel Tunnel

It has been reported that the Channel Tunnel is all set to get a major fire safety enhancement within the next year, with one fire protection sprinkler having already been installed.

The fire protection system, which has been developed to use water mist, will cost Eurotunnel £20 million in total.

This new development was given the green light following a huge freight train fire not far from the French coast which occurred back in September 2008.

The sprinklers have been made to cut off the oxygen supply to the fire and thus stop it from spreading any further.

One safe fire extinguishing area has already been installed, with the other three sprinklers due to be put in place inside the Channel Tunnel by the end of 2011.

Jacques Gounon, Chairman of Eurotunnel, has confirmed that the fire protection system has been adapted towards the conditions of a working railway tunnel.

This new equipment will ensure that the Channel Tunnel is in a better position to deal with any fire-related incidents in the future.

If you are the owner of a business and you are unsure that your premises are properly equipped to tackle a fire, then you should consider calling in the professionals to conduct a fire risk assessment on your behalf.