Reliable fire safety for Bidbid Tunnel in Oman delivered by Axis AX system

This installation, overseen by Middle East Wealth’s LLC, ensures the safety of motorists and tunnel operators by integrating cutting-edge fire detection and suppression mechanisms tailored to the tunnel’s unique environmental challenges. The Bidbid Tunnel is a remarkable feat of engineering, carved through two mountains and designed to accommodate heavy traffic, while always maintaining stringent safety standards.

Due to the tunnel’s exposure to fluctuating humidity levels, the requirement was for a hybrid fire detection system, partly addressable and partly non-addressable, with IP67-rated components ensuring resilience against moisture.

The installation also covers service buildings and Control Rooms that monitor tunnel operations, including jet fans, which detect smoke and adjust airflow direction to optimise smoke extraction.

Water deluge system

A key feature of the fire safety installation is the water deluge system, which integrates jet fans, designed using genuine aircraft jet technology, with sprinklers to manage fire hazards effectively. The sprinklers work to suppress flames and reduce smoke production, while the jet fans play a crucial role in directing and extracting smoke.

Given the close proximity of tunnel entrances, the system has been meticulously designed to prevent smoke from being pushed into adjacent tunnels, ensuring clear evacuation routes and optimal visibility for emergency responders.

Advanced’s Axis AX system was selected for its networking capabilities and large-scale adaptability, making it the ideal choice for this project. The installation includes three Axis AX panels and 25 heavily programmed stainless-steel Peripheral Expansion Network Node (PENN) integration boxes designed to meet the complex needs of this unique application.

Extreme conditions

Sanjay Sebastian, project manager at Middle East Wealth, commented: “The Bidbid Tunnel project required a fire safety solution that could withstand extreme conditions, while offering seamless integration with tunnel management systems. Advanced’s Axis AX system provides the reliability and flexibility needed to meet these demands, ensuring comprehensive protection for motorists and infrastructure alike.”

Mark Taylor, senior technical support engineer at Advanced, added: “This installation showcases the power of Axis AX in managing large-scale and high-risk environments. The combination of linear heat detection, jet fan integration and the water deluge system ensures that fire hazards are swiftly detected and mitigated, thereby reinforcing the tunnel’s safety infrastructure.”

With its intelligent fire detection, suppression and management capabilities, the Bidbid Tunnel is now equipped to handle emergency scenarios with precision and efficiency. This installation serves to underscore Advanced’s commitment to delivering robust and scalable fire protection solutions for critical infrastructure projects on the global stage.

*Further information is available online at www.advancedco.com