Tailor-made fire protection for Karlsruhe's city tunnel
The Kombilösung Karlsruhe is a project to further develop the tram and light rail network in the Baden-Württemberg city of Karlsruhe.
The Karoline Luise Tunnel under Kriegsstraße is a central element of the Kombilösung. With the tunnel, the inner-city section was fundamentally transformed: through traffic now runs underground, which considerably reduced the number of traffic lanes at surface level, created new barrier-free crossings and continuous cycle paths, and upgraded the street into a modern boulevard with several rows of trees. The 1.4 kilometre road tunnel under Kriegsstraße thus sets new standards for transport planning in central Karlsruhe.
One aim of the project is to relieve inner-city traffic, improve quality of life, and at the same time guarantee the highest safety standards. A project of this magnitude and complexity requires not only precise planning but also reliable safety technology that meets the special conditions of a tunnel.
This is where the many years of expertise of System Schröders and its licensees come into play. As a leading provider of fire protection and security door systems, the company worked closely with its partners to develop tailor-made solutions specifically geared to the requirements of the Karlsruhe tunnel.
Hodapp GmbH & Co. KG, an experienced specialist for security doors in tunnel construction, was responsible for the engineering, production, and installation of the door systems. For decades, Hodapp has been working with System Schröders as a licensee, contributing its in-depth know-how in the development and implementation of heavy-duty security doors.
Technical challenges and solutions
A tunnel of this kind is subject to exceptionally high requirements: dynamic pressure and suction forces caused by traffic, strict fire protection regulations, and the need for reliable escape route safeguarding place high demands on the installed components. The door systems manufactured by Hodapp were developed in accordance with the current standards and guidelines and were additionally tested for their long-term stability and functional reliability under real operating conditions.
The installed solutions include:
- Fire resistance and smoke control doors that effectively prevent the spread of fire and smoke in the event of a fire and thus contribute decisively to containing hazards. These doors fulfil the fire protection classifications T30 and T90 according to DIN 4102-5 as well as the smoke control requirements according to DIN 18095.
- Technical room doors that protect sensitive technical areas, such as control and supply installations, against unauthorised access while at the same time allowing safe access for maintenance personnel.
- Escape route doors that ensure rapid and orderly evacuation in an emergency. These doors are constructed in such a way that they function reliably even under extreme conditions and comply with the strict requirements of the TL/TP TTT as well as EABT-80/100.
- Emergency call niche doors and flaps for fire extinguisher compartments, which allow immediate access to life-saving equipment in an emergency. These components are essential for reacting quickly and effectively in the event of a fire.
Materials and equipment for maximum safety
The door systems are made of high-quality, durable stainless steel, which offers high resistance to mechanical stress and is corrosion-resistant – a decisive property for use in tunnel environments.
Depending on their intended use, the doors are additionally equipped with signal and escape route luminaires. In an emergency, these luminaires clearly mark the escape routes, even in the event of smoke development or power failure, thus helping people in emergency situations to find their bearings.
A model project
The door solutions installed in the Karoline Luise Tunnel fulfil all legal requirements and set new standards in terms of safety, functionality, and design. The close cooperation between System Schröders and Hodapp as well as planners, architects, and building owners resulted in a comprehensive safety concept that meets the high demands of modern tunnel construction. The successful completion of this project underlines the competence of the companies as reliable partners for complex infrastructure projects – in Karlsruhe and worldwide.
With this reference project, System Schröders and Hodapp demonstrate how innovative safety technology contributes to designing modern transport routes efficiently and, above all, safely and future-proof. For similar projects, both companies are available as experienced partners to master future challenges in the field of fire protection and safety technology.