The contribution of asphalt road surfaces to fire risk in tunnel fires: Preliminary findings

Abstract

Most fire experiments carried out in tunnels to date have focussed on the burning behaviour and smoke production of liquid pool fires and vehicle fires. Other combustible surfaces, commonly found in tunnels, have not been considered in detail. This paper presents the preliminary findings of a research project into the fire behaviour of asphalt road surfaces. Small samples of asphalt material have been studied using a Cone Calorimeter. Factors such as the critical heat flux for ignition and the heat release rate of these samples have been identified. These factors are discussed in relation to tunnel fires.