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2001

PR-INFO-ELBE-TUNNEL

	Fire protection in tunnel construction - a necessity BAUTEC and KAEFER will cooperate as partners in completing the fire protection of the fourth tube of the Elbe Tunnel and that of the future Weser Tunnel by the year 2003. The necessity of fire protection The tremendous increase in traffic volume has made it necessary to add a fourth tube to the Elbe tunnel. With its two additional lanes, the new tube will greatly improve the flow of north-south traffic on the A7 Bundesautobahn - also known as European Highway E45. The construction project extends over a total length of 4,400 m. The tunnel itself will measure 3,100 m from end to end, 2,500 m of which will be fully enclosed. The hazards of fire and explosion in tunnels and the consequent requirements for personal safety call for the development and realization of a highly sophisticated fire protection concept. Research and development BAUTEC and KAEFER cooperate with various testing and research institutes in developing appropriate fire protection systems, improving materials, and optimizing fire protection equipment. The supporting structure and fire-resistant cladding for the 1407 individual elements of the fire protection ceiling will be manufactured according to the guidelines for the equipment and operation of road tunnels (RABT standards) after extensive testing at the University of Technology in Braunschweig and by the Institute for Industry Aero Dynamics (I.F.I) at the University of the Technology in Aachen. Project management and quality assurance The continuous use of programs based on modern planning software ensures a high degree of reliability in executing the projects. Precise planning of workflows and schedules has absolute priority. Quality plans are an important aid in the accurate implementation of construction plans. Regular briefings of employees on the issue of work safety are just as much a matter of course in this project as the certification according to DIN ISO 9001/9002. Planning and construction BAUTEC and KAEFER are partners in planning, constructing, and procuring as well as in the assembly of a total of 30,000 square meters of fire protection ceilings, including flue gas dampers. The purpose of the whole structure is to suck off and carry away the flue gases that develop in the event of a fire through the flue gas channel above the fire protection ceiling. The supporting structure is made of non-corrosive stainless steel and is covered with multi-layer fire protection panels out of AESTUVER-glass-fibre reinforced light concrete which guard it against temperatures above 300 ° C in the event of a fire. Special fire protection claddings are also provided for the fastenings to the wall and the suspension elements reaching on the ceiling. Accurate installation and secure fastening of the ceiling elements, each of which weighs approx. 2 tons, is ensured by an assembly concept developed jointly by BAUTEC and KAEFER.
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	Characters: 2925 July 2001