THE MERSEY TUNNEL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3827, 30 October 1936, Page 2

THE MERSEY TUNNEL

MANY FIRE ALARMS USED. Some of those who have driven through the three miles long Mersey tunnel may have thought that it was unnecessary to place fire alarms at distances of fifty yards apart throughout the tunnel and to take the many other special precautions against fire which are described in guide books, says “Nature.” Remembering that it cost £8,000,000 to build, and that 5000 vehicles per hour use the tunnel, it was necessary to take every precaution. The first test of the fire alarm installation occurred on 25th July, when a lorry carrying cinematograph films from Liverpool to Birkenhead burst into flames inside the tunnel. The driver at once gave the alarm from one of the fire alarm boxes, and in less than five minutes the Liverpool and Birkenhead fire brigades had put out the fire. An alarm given at any one of the 98 special boxes is received at both the brigade headquarters. At the same time large neon "stop” signs on the roof close the tunnel to traffic, and the pay boxes at each entrance are warned by bells and red lights. The electromatic vehicle acuated traffic signals are automatically interlocked and allow vehicles to leave and prevent them from entering the affected portions of the tunnel. The alarm is also given to the ventilation control room, from which the large electric air fans can be regulated to meet requirements of any situation that may arise.