Passive Fire Protection Federation letter on the latest Channel Tunnel crisis

Published: 22 January, 2010

David Sugden, Chairman of the Passive Fire Protection Federation, calls into question the fire safety strategy of the Channel Tunnel

Dear Ann-Marie

Both Eurostar (which operates the trains) and Eurotunnel (which operates the tunnel) were clearly ill-prepared to handle this weekend's breakdown. But their fire safety strategy is in question too. After the last major fire in 2008 Eurotunnel is developing a new fire safety strategy based on moving freight train carriages to an 'extinguishing area' where sprinklers will douse the fire and passengers and crew are evacuated into a (probably) smoke-and-flame filled tunnel. If the trains can't move -for up to 16 hours! - this strategy is a nonsense - and a very dangerous one at that. Fires can start and spread rapidly, even in sub-zero temperatures.

The Passive Fire Protection Federation challenged Eurotunnel on the BBC1 Politics show earlier in 2009 on their fire safety strategy. Despite repeated chasing, we have received no response on this matter - vital to both passengers and crew. There are likely to be more breakdowns and more fires in the tunnel. The question is when, and at what cost?

Yours sincerely

David Sugden
Chairman, Passive Fire Protection Federation

Bookmark this

Passive Fire Protection Federation launches safety seminars
The Passive Fire Protection Federation (PFPF) has announced a series of seminars on built in fire protection, to be held at venues around the country. The seminars, which begin on 25^th May with a “breakfast briefing” at the Building Centre in London, aims to promote better understanding of a range of issues relating to residential and commercial properties and current regulations governing fire safety.
New rescue pumper for South Australia County Fire Service
Fraser Engineering, based in New Zealand, has recently delivered a new rescue pumper to the South Australia County Fire Service. The vehicle is now operational in Morphett Vale, located in the suburbs of Adelaide, and is based on a CFS Iveco Eurocargo Pumper.
Firefighters urge caution during ‘severe cold weather’
‘We’ve recently heard of people putting heaters and hairdryers in their beds to stay warm and this is a disaster waiting to happen” – Dave Brown, Assistant Commissioner for Operations and Mobilising, London Fire Brigade.
Angus Fire – global innovation in fire fighting
Angus Fire is a global leader in fire fighting technology with a long history of pioneering innovation. The company occupies a unique world position in the development and manufacture of fire hose, foam concentrates and fire fighting equipment.
Fike hosts cub scouts for fire safety demonstration
A leader in industrial and explosion protection safety solutions recently hosted a group of scouts for fire and explosion safety demonstrations.

Sign Up

For the latest news and updates from Hemmingfire.

Company Profiles

Angus Fire – global innovation in fire fighting

Angus Fire is a global leader in fire fighting technology with a long history of pioneering innovation. The company occupies a unique world position in the development and manufacture of fire hose, foam concentrates and fire fighting equipment.

Holmatro - Mastering Power

Holmatro Rescue Equipment develops, manufactures, sells and services high-pressure hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical rescue equipment. With a comprehensive dealer network on all continents, manufacturing plants in the Netherlands (head office) and USA, and sales offices in China and UK, we supply our products and services to fire and rescue organizations all over the world.

Dr Sthamer - Hamburg: foam fights fire

Dr Sthamer – Hamburg, has been developing and manufacturing state-of-the art firefighting foams since the 1920’s. Having been founded in 1886 by Dr Richard Sthamer, we are still proudly owned and managed by the Sthamer family. Our base is still at the original site where we started in, on the banks of the Bille River in Hamburg Germany.