Replacement of Jet Fans in UK Road Tunnel

Project Overview
Location: Southwick Tunnel
Scope of Work: Replacement of three jet fans in the tunnel and servicing of cross-passage fans.

Challenges

• Tight schedule with tunnel closures limited to nighttime hours.
• Ensuring all safety protocols were adhered to in a high-risk environment.
• Coordinating heavy machinery and equipment logistics within the confined space of the tunnel.

Project Execution

Night 1: Replacement of VP1E Fan 2 and VP4E Fan 1

Upon arrival, the team met with on-site Management for a safety briefing. Once the tunnel was closed, we began by unloading the Titan scissor lift and equipping it with the necessary tools using the Manitou telehandler.

Replacement Process for VP1E Fan 2:

1. Isolated the fan at both the control panel and the fan itself. Verified isolation before proceeding.
2. Used the scissor lift to access the fan and positioned the high-lift pallet truck beneath.
3. Secured the fan to the pallet truck, removed all fixings and safety chains, and lowered the fan onto the scissor lift floor.
4. Transferred the old fan out of the tunnel and installed the refurbished jet fan.
5. Re-attached safety chains, electrically reconnected, and tested the fan for direction and vibrations.

Outcome: VP1E Fan 2 was successfully replaced and tested. The fan operated correctly, with no issues detected.

Replacement Process for VP4E Fan 1:
Using the same procedure, VP4E Fan 1 was replaced. During testing, the fan was found to be running in the wrong direction. The wiring in the terminal box was adjusted, and subsequent tests confirmed the issue was resolved.

Outcome: VP4E Fan 1 was fully operational with correct directional flow upon completion.

Before leaving, the equipment was secured onsite for the next night’s work.

Night 2: Replacement of VP3W Fan 2

The team reconvened, signed in, and attended a safety briefing before entering the westbound tunnel. The replacement process mirrored the steps from the first night.

Outcome: VP3W Fan 2 was successfully replaced and tested, with no operational issues or delays.

All plant equipment was removed from the tunnel and transported offsite after completing the fan replacements.

Cross-Passage Fan Servicing

After replacing the jet fans, the team serviced all three cross-passage fans and their systems.

Key Tasks:

• Replaced filters on all cross-passage fans.
• Inspected and tested dampers, confirming proper operation.
• Identified faulty fire damper detectors in each cross-passage.

Outcome: All cross-passage fans were confirmed operational.

Recommendations

1. Fire Damper Detectors: Replace the faulty detectors in each cross-passage to ensure full compliance with safety standards.
2. Regular Maintenance: Schedule periodic servicing for both jet fans and cross-passage fans to maintain optimal performance.

Conclusion
The successful completion of this project demonstrates our team’s ability to efficiently execute complex tasks within restricted timeframes while adhering to stringent safety protocols. The replacement of all three jet fans and servicing of cross-passage systems ensures the tunnel’s ventilation system operates at peak efficiency.

For more information or to discuss your tunnel ventilation system needs, contact us on 01621 868 138 or email info@gibbonsgroup.co.uk.