Fire Hazard Mitigation for the Øresund Link Immersed Tunnel

The 3.8 km immersed tunnel for motorway and railway under the Drogden Channel, currently under construction and scheduled to open in the year 2000, is a significant component of the Oresund Link, connecting the Danish capital Copenhagen with the Swedish city Malmo. The toll-funded link will be owned and operated by Oresundskonsortiet, a Swedish-Danish joint venture, which is also responsible for the construction of the 16 km coast-coast section of the link. The Drogden tunnel accomodates two tubes for the dual track railway, two tubes for the four lane motorway, and a central installation and escape gallery. The latter is a major feature of the safety concept, by providing a safe and smoke-free escape route in case of accident or fire. The fire hazard mitigation includes fire insulation of the structure, and hydrants for fire fighting, but no automatic sprinkler system. (A) For the covering abstract see IRRD E101472.