Tunnel safety for buses
While emergencies and fires within tunnels are rare, they present a potentially high consequence risk, particularly for buses due to the number of passengers on the vehicle.
Bus operators are reminded to assess the risks and controls (as per their Safety Management System) in place for tunnel transit, operations, and emergency evacuation operations. These should address their specific bus fleet, specified passenger transit routes and tunnels being transited.
Bus operators should review their driver emergency evacuation training and procedures to ensure that information relevant to fire and life safety systems in tunnels is provided to drivers.
The review should consider the risks and required response by drivers for emergencies on their bus. The response should include how to evacuate passengers to a safe place if needed and responding to emergencies involving other vehicles in tunnel.
All bus and coach operators should:
- Review internal emergency tunnel procedures for any tunnel being transited as part of a passenger service. Inform drivers of the general safety and evacuation advice provided by tunnel operators.
- Ensure driver training covers all makes and models of Engine Bay Fire Suppression System (EBFSS) fitted across the fleet of buses in operation. Drivers and trainers should be aware of how all safety critical systems alert the driver and what pre-conditions have been met when the system is activated/discharged in an emergency.
- For buses or coaches that do not have an EBFSS fitted, consider the items above and how they relate to the services provided when operated in tunnels.
Contact us
For more information: BusSafetyInformation@transport.nsw.gov.au