Eurotunnel has demonstrated its new multimillion-pound firefighting system for the Channel Tunnel using water mist to help extinguish a fire.
The so-called Safe stations are said to make evacuation of passengers easier and help prevent a fire reaching temperatures which could damage the tunnel.
Each of the planned four, 2,850-foot-long stations comes equipped with an advanced heat detection system.
If a fire is detected, the train is driven out of the tunnel to an emergency siding or to the nearest Safe station. Once the train stops, the heat detection system highlights the incident wagon and water mist is then released.
Unlike sprinkler systems or foam, the water mist does not need to be aimed directly at the seat of the fire, Eurotunnel said.
Instead, it creates a shower of micro-droplets which absorbs the oxygen in the atmosphere and smothers the fire.
A Eurotunnel spokesman said: “The installation of the Safe stations will revolutionise the management of a fire in the tunnel.
“In effect, the Channel Tunnel will be divided into three sections, each approximately 17 kilometres long, which will mean that this infrastructure, already the safest in the world because of the unique service tunnel, will attain a level of safety far superior to any comparable structure.”
Using the system, it will be possible to cut temperatures from 900C to 250C in less than three minutes, helping firefighters and preserving the concrete lining of the tunnel.
The spokesman said: “In effect, the significant reduction in temperature near the seat of the fire also prevents the fire from developing and improves visibility.
“The water mist, which carries no risk to people, delivers rapid control of the fire and reduces damage to the infrastructure of the tunnel.”
Trials demonstrated that water mist can contain the equivalent of a fire involving 40 cars on a Shuttle train.
Officials also said the Safe stations will make it easier for passengers to evacuate when a Eurostar train breaks down without a risk of fire.
The four stations are to be installed between the two crossovers; galleries that allow trains to cross from one tunnel to the other.