Real-Scale Fire Demonstration in Italian TunnelSince September 2002, motorway company Autostrada del Brennero has been taking part in the UPTUN (UPgrading of existing TUNnels) project, started through the financial support of the EU within the 5th Framework Programme. Among the 41 UPTUN participants, Autostrada del Brennero is the only motorway concessionaire. The highlight of the whole project has been the implementation of a real-scale fire simulation in the Virgolo tunnel on highway A22 on 17th February, 2005 near Bolzano in south Tyrol, Italy. Five fire tests were organised (mini-tunnel test, air plug test, livability test, sprinkler test, water shield test) to evaluate different tunnel safety systems. The objectives of the simulation have been to verify the livability in tunnel in case of fire and smoke; to demonstrate the effectiveness of the event survey instrumentation, to verify the functionality and visibility of various audio and visual signalling systems in the presence of smoke; to demonstrate the effectiveness of "air-plugs" and "water shields" as smoke containment systems; to demonstrate the efficiency of the fire suppression system by means of water mist sprinklers; to verify the high temperature and fire resistance of new concretes; to verify the behaviour of new generation anchors under heating and mechanical load; to study the fire management by means of natural or forced ventilation; to verify the chemical and physical parameters in the tunnel during the fire; and to study the access places and procedures with determination of the intervention time. The simulation has been a world premiere to test in real-scale conditions the following materials and systems: the tunnel airplug, a sort of airbag for tunnels. The purpose is to inflate tunnel plugs at either sides of the fire that will completely block the airflow in the tunnel and prevent oxygen from feeding the fire. Visit www.lindstrand.co.uk water mist systems, visit www.fogtec-international.com and www.semcomaritime.com water shields. The water shield is arranged using jet breaking flanges, located at the top of the tunnel. The mitigation effect of the water wall is to segregate the fire area to avoid the fire propagation, to reduce the heat propagation upstream and downstream of the water walls and to cool down and slow down the smoke and toxic gases in the tunnel. Visit www.aptgroup.it Swareflex systems composed of non-corrosive materials like stainless steel or aluminium. Visit www.swareflex.com signalling systems completely inserted in the pavement (Flat LED) or protruding (Mark LED). Visit www.gifas.at/signaleinheit/index.htm the continuous signal system consisting of an illuminated tube placed along the sidewalks. Visit www.autobrennero.it premixed dry shotcrete composed by crushed aggregates and polymer fibres. Visit www.italcementi.it Meyco® fix fireshield 1350, a cementitious sprayed thermal barrier. Visit www.degussa-ugc.com Novimontan SB 4 L Fire-Protect, a ready-to-use dry shotcrete for special applications in tunnel and underground works. Visit www.schretter-vils.co.at/active-schretter.html HFE-tec® SB 80 multifunctional shotcrete for the protection of concrete tunnel linings. Visit www.tecnochem.it wet mix shotcrete with 2 km/cu m PP-fibres Ceramicoat, an insulating elastomeric coating with great adhesive capacity. Visit www.thermalceramics.com Subscribe to E-News Weekly 38/2003. Visit www.uptun.net 11/05.  Lindstrand Balloons' tunnel plug