International. Tunnel ventilation is a sector where Sodeca has been carrying out consolidation work based on its outstanding participation in different successful projects.
The company has pointed out that this focus on turnkey projects has helped to position them as a leading player in the sector, specifying that in a critical installation, such as a tunnel, proximity to the customer and the quality of technical service are essential.
In addition, the customer has the opportunity to validate the performance and performance of the equipment supplied through FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) tests at Sodeca's facilities, prior to the installation of the ventilation system.
"Sodeca has met all our expectations. At the beginning of the project, we needed assistance and we had great support, because we were able to talk to them if we had any questions and they even came to our facilities to finish advising us," says Rosa Lara, Operations Manager at Cedinsa, who is satisfied with the way Sodeca approaches ventilation for tunnels, with solutions that include, from the design of the ventilation system, to the assembly and installation of the equipment.
Once the system is up and running, the company provides permanent technical service to address any inconvenience that may arise. This continuous accompaniment throughout the project not only builds trust and peace of mind, but also allows for the building of lasting relationships.
Regular and emergency ventilation
In the design of a tunnel's ventilation system, many aspects must be considered, from the direction of circulation and the type of traffic to temperature, humidity or altitude, as they affect air density. In addition, it is also necessary to consider the environment where the tunnel is located. In cities, for example, there is a higher traffic rate and emissions of toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide, are much higher.
Taking into account both the necessary parameters and the characteristics of the environment, the flow required to eliminate the concentrations of pollutants is calculated. However, in a risky space, such as a tunnel, the ventilation system should not be limited to the usual activity, but should contemplate the possibility of a fire occurring.
Tragedies such as the Mont Blanc tunnel in France, which caused 39 deaths in 1999, show the seriousness of these situations. For this reason, Sodeca's tunnel ventilation systems are designed for emergency ventilation, which allows safety conditions to be maintained in the event of a fire. The jet fans manufactured by the company, typical in longitudinal ventilation systems, are certified 400 ºC/2h or 300ºC/2h.
In addition, as a company specialising in smoke evacuation solutions, Sodeca also provides safety equipment for all those facilities associated with the tunnel. The primary function of pressurization systems in escape routes is to create and maintain positive pressure in protected spaces, such as galleries or emergency exits, preventing smoke and toxic gases from entering these areas in the event of a fire. The system reacts quickly by increasing or decreasing the airflow to adapt to the different open or closed door situations that arise in an evacuation.
In this way, in the event of an emergency, people can evacuate safely and, in addition, it also facilitates the intervention of the firefighters. Sodeca's pressurization solutions ensure that 90% of the required flow is achieved in less than 3 seconds, which is essential for safety during an evacuation.
Success stories
There are more and more projects worldwide that endorse Sodeca as a consolidated company in tunnel ventilation. Currently, the company is participating in several prestigious works, which confirms that its solutions are being highly valued, largely thanks to the quality of its technical service.
On the other hand, the demands of the projects have forced Sodeca, as a manufacturer, to continuously improve its solutions to ensure their reliability and meet the characteristics of each tunnel. When the occasion has required it, the company has modified the equipment so that it could withstand severe atmospheric conditions or environments with high salinity. This ability to adapt and commitment to reliability has paid off: in some of the tunnels where Sodeca ventilation systems have been installed, the equipment has been operating for more than 15 years, according to the company.
