Study on Fire Accidents in Tunnels

Abstract

Abstract This paper provides a collection of information on 156 tunnel fire accidents at home and abroad and analysis of their time and spatial distribution, accident causes and effects. The study shows: most tunnel fires occur in summer; tunnel fire accidents are frequent in economically developed areas of eastern and southern China as well as mountainous areas in southwestern and northwestern China; long tunnels and super long tunnels experience more fire accidents which occur mostly at tunnel entrance/exit; most tunnel fires are caused by spontaneous combustion of vehicles and traffic accidents; cars and trucks are the most frequently seen models in tunnel fires; consequences of tunnel fires include casualties, vehicle damage, damages to tunnel structure and facilities and traffic interruption. At the end of the paper, appropriate measures and advice are proposed for tunnel fire accidents based on the above analysis results.