OPTIMISATION, OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT TESTING AND APPROVAL FOR USE OF NOZZLE RRZ IN HIGHWAY TUNNELS AS AN ACTIVE FIREFIGHTING SYSTEM

ended

According to the European Commission, 70,000 people are hospitalized due to severe injuries caused by fire with an estimated damage of €126.3 billion every year. Highway tunnels are currently protected by passive fire systems such as fire-resistant construction materials that slow down the spread of a fire. However, this can be insufficient during major fires hence need for active fire protection systems. The analysis of fire incidents has indicated that fires in tunnels tend to be hotter with temperatures over 1,000oC, last longer even up to 53 hours making rescue operations and fire extinguishment more difficult. The Fire Protection System Market is growing at a fast pace, expected to grow from €44.36 billion in 2016 to €79.44 billion in 2022, at a CAGR of 9.7%. PNR is an Italian company company with 50 years’ experience in the fire protection industry. PNR has developed Nozzle RRZ, a tunnel fire fighting nozzle that can produce a high capacity jet at 130 litres per minute (lpm) with a 6 meters spray coverage operating at normal installation level. Nozzle RRZ will reduce energy consumption in fire fighting in tunnels by ≈1620%, from 1755MJ to 102MJ; reduce operating pressure by ≈3100%, from current 60 -160bars to 2-5 bars; improve water economy and fire delay due to wide drop size range of 50 – 500microns and larger spray area cover. Through this PH1 we seek to validate the technical, commercial and financial feasibility of Nozzle RRZ. Post validation of the project feasibility we will move on to the PH2 through which we seek to finalise the technical developments of Nozzle RRZ, conduct demonstration and validations tests to prompt industry adoption and initiate commercial adoption by players in highway tunnels and rail tunnels. Making use of a PH2 budget of €1.5m and post project investment of €0.5m to bring Nozzle RRZ to market we will boost our turnover and generate €34.44m in our first five years of commercialisation and create 24 new jobs at PNR Italy.