Equipment
A great deal of care goes into fire prevention. Transverse connections every 250 metres guarantee a safe evacuation route in case of an emergency. In addition, there are brightly-lit emergency assistance posts every 50 m, equipped with a dry powder fire extinguisher, a fire hose and an intercom for direct contact with the tunnel operator.
The tunnel operator provides continuous surveillance of the tunnel, assisted by modern equipment. The following safety features are installed in the Westerschelde Tunnel:
Fans
The tunnel’s carbon monoxide concentration, temperature and visibility are automatically measured. Should the measured values exceed the maximum permissible limits, for example in the event of a traffic jam, the fans in the tunnel are automatically activated and displace the exhaust fumes. In the event of fire they blow away the smoke and gases into the driving direction.
Continuous radio reception
There is continuous radio reception in the tunnel. This means that in the event of incidents you can receive messages from the tunnel operator via radio (Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio 4, Omroep Zeeland, Q-Music, Radio 538, Skyradio, Veronica and Terneuzen FM.)
‘Emergency-get-out’ signs
In the event of incidents, such as a tunnel fire for example, the tunnel operator decides whether motorists should quickly leave their cars and proceed to another tunnel tube. If so, the instruction ‘Alarm-stap-uit’ (‘Emergency-get-out’) will appear on these emergency signs. Always immediately comply with this instruction.
Escape doors
The Westerschelde Tunnel has a total of 26 communicating passages, one every 250 metres. In emergency situations, the tunnel operator will unlock the escape doors of the communicating passages, so that you can escape to another tunnel tube. Each communicating passage has an intercom that enables you to speak directly with the tunnel operator.
Cameras and public address system
Traffic jams are detected on a timely basis by the detection system embedded in the road surface and by the cameras. The tunnel operator can take traffic control measures on this basis. He/she can adjust the maximum speeds via the matrix signs above the road, cross off lanes and issue warnings that there are people on the roadway. In the event of an incident, the tunnel operator can alert users via the public address system.
Emergency stations
There is an emergency station every 50 metres in the tunnel. If you open up such an emergency station, the tunnel operator in the control room receives a signal and the camera at the emergency station is automatically activated. You can communicate directly with the tunnel operator via the intercom. In addition, there is a foam fire extinguisher and a fire hose.
