prEN 12110-1

Tunnel boring machines - Air locks - Part 1: requirements for air locks utilising compressed air as the pressurising or breathing medium along with requirements for oxygen breathing systems for decompression purposes

Publication date:   Feb 9, 2023

Scope

This document applies to the design, construction, equipping, marking and testing of air locks, as defined in 3.3, which form an integral part of a tunnel boring machine. It covers requirements for personnel locks utilizing compressed air as the pressurizing or breathing medium along with requirements for oxygen breathing systems for decompression purposes. The intended use is restricted to the temperature range 5 °C to 50 °C.
This document also applies to the design, fabrication and testing of pressure bulkheads intended for use in forming in-tunnel or in-shaft air locks.
In addition, this document extends to control functions and control information relating to intermediate chambers (defined in prEN 12110-2:2023, 3.7) (if fitted) but which are accessed via the personnel lock control panel.
prEN 12110-2 sets out additional requirements to those in Part 1, for personnel locks which are intended to have the capability to utilize non-air breathing mixtures such as nitrox, trimix and heliox. prEN 12110 2 sets out additional requirements for personnel locks intended to be used for saturation exposure techniques at pressures not exceeding 20 bar(g) associated with tunnelling work. It also sets out requirements for pressurized transfer shuttles as defined in 3.3.5.
The intended use of the machinery is agreed between the manufacturer and the user taking into account information on intended use, intended location of use, intended exposure techniques and intended decompression procedures, all provided by the user.
Air locks are normally connected to or incorporated in tunnel boring machines and consequently there are a number of interfaces between machinery covered by this standard and machinery covered by prEN 16191:2022. These interfaces are identified in both standards as appropriate.
This document is not applicable to machinery and equipment which is manufactured before the date of publication of this document by CEN.
NOTE 1 Air locks can be formed by the construction of one or more bulkheads in a tunnel secured to the tunnel lining. However, although the equipment required for tunnel air locks will be similar to that for TBM air locks, prEN 12110-1:2023 applies only to the design, fabrication and testing of bulkheads in this situation.
NOTE 2 Air locks can also be attached to an air deck in a shaft. Again, although the equipment required for such air locks will be similar to that for TBM air locks, prEN 12110-1:2023 applies only to the design, fabrication and testing of bulkheads (air decks) in shafts.
This document deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant to such machinery when they are used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer (see Annex A).
The supply of compressed air and oxygen to the air lock is partly within the scope of prEN 12110-1:2023 and partly within the scope of prEN 16191:2022 and this division is clearly indicated within the text of both standards.
Vibration, noise and EMC (Electromagnetic compatibility) hazards are not significant hazards for air locks.

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