Key Statistics:
Contract Value:
c.£3m+
Project Duration:
2006-2009
Project Client:
Network Rail
Scope:
Specialist Cross Passage Door Supply
Project Overview
HS1, legally known as the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL), is a 67-mile high-speed railway connecting London to the Channel Tunnel. Booth Industries was appointed to design, manufacture, and install cross-passage bulkhead and door assemblies for every cross passage along the route, including those beneath the River Thames and at track-level ventilation shafts.
These systems are critical to tunnel safety, providing:
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A safe evacuation route for passengers
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Two-way access for emergency services
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Fire and smoke barriers between tunnels
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Secure housing for essential services and equipment
Project Challenges
The doors and bulkheads needed to:
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Be wide enough for passengers and emergency personnel
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Create an effective fire barrier, enabling tunnel pressurisation in emergencies
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Protect staff from high-speed train-induced airflows during maintenance
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Allow access for utilities such as power and water services
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Remain secure in day-to-day operation
At the time, working on a national critical infrastructure project of this scale was new to Booth Industries. While we had tunnel experience, the demands of HS1 required rapid learning and adaptation to meet strict programme and performance requirements.
Our Approach & Delivery
We drew on decades of in-house expertise in engineering, design, manufacturing, and installation. The result was:
- Fully assured, on-programme delivery
- Bespoke, performance-certified solutions
- Systems designed for full-life ease of maintenance—vital for a railway that operates 24/7, with all maintenance carried out during short night-time engineering hours
Key Achievements:
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Delivered bespoke fire and smoke-rated cross-passage door systems
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Enhanced passenger evacuation and emergency service access
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Designed for rapid, safe maintenance in a live rail environment
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Created a proven safety solution still performing after 15+ years
Performance Specification:
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FD60 BS 476 (Fire Integrity)
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Double Swing HDL for bi-directional egress
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+/-10Kpa Cyclic Pressure Design
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1M3 Air Leakage @ 1kPa
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130nm Push Bar activation to engage actuator/200nm full open
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2nr Pressure Relief Dampers to minimise opening forces
