Britain's Largest Automatic Opening Smoke Ventilator



Full Opened Blackwall Ventilator



Advanced Smoke Group finishes the largest Automatic Opening Ventilator in the UK at Blackwall Tunnel

Open Ventilator from the ground

The Northbound Blackwall tunnel constructed over 112 years ago and linking the boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Greenwich has seen a major refurbishment commissioned by Transport for London and awarded to Bam Nuttall. It is one of the busiest commuter roads in London, with over 50,000 vehicles driving through daily and is a vital link from one side of the Thames to the other.

The refurbishment involves a range of upgrades to various systems including drainage storage facilities, CCTV surveillance, fire and life safety systems, modern communication systems and a complete modernisation of the ventilation systems.

The Advanced Smoke Group, specialists in the design of smoke control systems for residential, retail and commercial premises were invited to tender by the consultants as one of only two companies who the consultants felt were qualified to undertake the project. The ventilation contract was awarded to the Advanced Smoke Group who designed, manufactured and installed the automatic opening ventilator for the existing ventilation shafts with dimensions of 8.5 metres in diameter and weight in excess of 8.2 tonnes, making it the largest in the UK.



One 'petal' of the Ventilator



The refurbishment required that a new ventilation system should be installed within the tunnel’s original ventilation shafts built in 1897 and it was decided that an opening roof would allow for the existing shafts to maintain their domed appearance. A mechanical ventilation system was created that would allow for the vents to open in case of an emergency in the tunnel. In the event of an incident or fire in the tunnel, the system will engage in a specific mode to allow for the extraction of smoke. Despite the vast size and weight of the smoke ventilator, the vents are capable of fully opening in sixty seconds.

The automatic smoke vents will help extract smoke and harmful gases from the tunnel in case of a fire, allowing firemen easier access to tackle any blaze.

Richard Brooks, General Manager for the Advanced Smoke Group commented that, “The Blackwall Tunnel project has been a great success and is a perfect example of the engineering expertise within the Advance Smoke Group.”

The system was designed and manufactured at the Advanced Smoke Group premises and Engineering Director for Advanced Smoke Group, Brian Lockton said “the fact we were able to build the Unit in Leicester in the UK, is a great achievement and an example of good British engineering.”



Look at that view



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