Effective and active fire safety systems for railway tunnels

In the territory of the Slovak Republic, there is a significant number of railway tunnels, some of which are over 50 years old and pose an increased risk to safety in the event of extraordinary incidents, especially fires.Currently, the safety of railway tunnels and the response to extraordinary events in linear structures are key topics.Identifying areas of risk associated with the potential release of hazardous substances transported by rail is a priority, with a primary focus on detecting fires in their early stages directly in railway vehicles.While fire statistics show a negligible risk of fires in railway tunnels, the development of an early fire detection system has become a current issue to enhance the safety of these tunnels.The mentioned aspects represent fundamental active measures to minimize catastrophic consequences during extraordinary events.The organization of rescue operations requires precise delineation of endangered and anticipated endangered areas, with an emphasis on ensuring conditions for effective rescue work, including the necessary personnel and technical equipment, efficient ventilation, and addressing potential faults in ventilation shafts and closures.The article elaborates on the methodology of fire ventilation with a focus on its application in existing railway tunnels, which are currently undergoing improvement processes.Emphasis is placed on improving fire ventilation as a higher level of ventilation system.