Fire detection systems play a crucial role in ensuring safe evacuation and firefighting operations in road tunnels, but information on the performance of these systems in tunnels has been limited and guidelines for their application in tunnel environments are not fully developed. Recently, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the Fire Protection Research Foundation completed a 2-year international research project, with the support of private-and public-sector organizations, to determine some of the strengths and weaknesses of the various types of fire detection systems and the factors that can affect their performance in tunnel environments. The project included both laboratory and field fire tests combined with computer modeling studies. Although this research was conducted on road tunnels, the findings should apply to other tunnels, such as those used in subway systems. As part of the project, the NRC conducted two series of tests in the Carleton University-NRC tunnel facility to investigate the performance of detection systems under minimal and longitudinal airflow conditions. In addition, NRC conducted tests in the Carre´-Viger Tunnel in Montre´al, as well as a computer modeling study. The project studied nine fire detection systems that covered five types of currently available technologies. The performance of the detection systems, including response times and ability to locate and monitor a fire in the tunnel and the effect of the tunnel environment, were evaluated under the same conditions. This article provides an overview of the findings of the project. Fire detectors, fire scenarios and test protocols used in the test program are described. A summary of the research results of the full-scale fire tests conducted in a laboratory tunnel facility and in an operating road tunnel as well as of the computer modeling activities is reported.

Fire detection systems are essential fire protection elements for road tunnels to detect fires, activate safety systems and direct evacuation and firefighting. However, information on the performance of these systems is limited and guidelines for application of tunnel fire detection systems are not fully developed. The National Research Council of Canada and the Fire Protection Research Foundation, with support of government organizations, industries and private sector organizations, have completed a research project to investigate current fire detection technologies for road tunnel protection. The project included studies on the detection performance of current fire detection technologies with both laboratory and field fire tests combined with computer modelling studies. This paper provides an overview of the findings of the project. Fire detectors, fire scenarios and test protocols used in the test program are described. A summary of the research results of the series of full-scale fire tests conducted in a laboratory tunnel facility and in an operating road tunnel as well as of the computer modelling activities will be reported.