One of the most important components
of planning and design for tunnels and
public buildings by the measures
provided for preventive fire protection,
especially in the light of recent tunnel
accidents and fires.
Fire protection
in tunnels
and public
buildings
Relevant requirements:
Function retention
An important factor in a fire situation is
retention of power supply for all safety
systems for a defined minimum period -
function retention. This relates not just
to individual components or groups, but
includes cables, distribution enclosures
and fixing systems to define the entire
equipment as one line system.
In practice this means:
• Lighting equipment for identification of escape exit routes
• Ventilation equipment for smoke extraction
• Camera systems for monitoring
• Lighting equipment and ventilation systems in fire protection rooms
Safety equipment which prevents fire
formation and fire spreading, and
ensures provision for the saving of hu-
man life, is nowadays stipulated as a
component of such buildings.
In accordance with VDE 108, this line
system is subject to the safety
requirements for fire protection. This
system must be tested and certified in
accordance with the requirements laid
down in DIN 4102 Part 12.
E 30 function retention
All measures which are intended to ensure exit route safety must be provided by
systems which comply with E 30 function retention. This means that these safety
systems must retain their function over a period of 30 minutes during fires:
- Fire alarm systems including all attached transmission lines
- Systems for alarming and providing instructions for visitors and employees
- Safety lighting systems and reserve power lighting systems
- Personnel lift equipment and evacuation protection
- Natural smoke extraction equipment (for example: smoke extraction through
thermal lift)
Line systems for this application area are
tested in accordance with DIN 4102 Part
12 over a period of 30 minutes in a fire
chamber. During this process, the fire
room is subject to predefined heating
in accordance with the ETK „Uniform
temperature time curve“ up to 840°C.
