Tunnel Ventilation for Railway Shutdown Works

Project Overview

Australia is undertaking major railway developments across freight, urban transit, regional fleets, and high-speed rail networks; many of these projects rely on the use of diesel machinery, and this project was no different.

With several diesel machines operating simultaneously, the risk of diesel particulate matter (DPM), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and reduced air quality increased significantly. The client required a robust temporary ventilation system to continuously dilute and push out contaminated air, introduce fresh air and provide a safer, compliant working environment for personnel throughout the shutdown.

RVT Group designed, supplied, installed and commissioned a high-capacity ventilation system that operated for the duration of the possession, ensuring ventilation remained effective while the maintenance works were completed.

Challenge

Weekend rail shutdowns are tightly scheduled, with every hour of track possession carefully planned.

The client needed a temporary ventilation solution that could be rapidly deployed, commissioned and removed within the shutdown window, while delivering sufficient airflow to manage diesel exhaust emissions generated by multiple items of heavy plant operating inside the tunnel.

The solution also needed to be reliable enough to operate continuously throughout the possession with minimal disruption to the maintenance program.

Solution

RVT Group supplied a complete temporary tunnel ventilation package, including equipment delivery, installation, commissioning, standby support and decommissioning.

Our customised hazard control solution included:

• VENTEX® 800S Centrifugal Fans and kits, including heavy duty ducting
• Delivery, installation, commissioning, operational support, decommissioning and equipment removal
• Witness testing and commissioning to verify the ventilation system was operating correctly before personnel entered the tunnel.

By delivering a complete turnkey solution, including equipment, power generation, commissioning and operational support, RVT Group enabled the client to focus on completing the shutdown safely and on schedule.

Our temporary VENTEX® ventilation system continuously diluted contaminated air and supplied fresh air throughout the shutdown, helping reduce worker exposure to diesel exhaust emissions while allowing maintenance crews to safely complete essential tunnel track works.