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Evaluating Distributed Temperature Sensing as a Novel Fire Detection Solution for CERN’s Underground Infrastructure

Kazmi, Muhammad LU (2025) In LUTVDG/TVBB VBRM05 20251
Division of Fire Safety Engineering
Abstract
CERN operates complex underground facilities, with the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) posing
unique fire detection challenges due to ionising radiation, long tunnel spans, and variable
ventilation. To address the limitations of aspirating smoke detectors in both current and future
CERN facilities, Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) systems using radiation-resistant
optical fibers are being explored as a supplementary solution.

This thesis evaluates the feasibility of DTS deployment in the LHC through a combined
experimental and computational approach. Initial Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) modelling
and ethanol pool fire experiments in a container supported the design of the LHC fire tests. In
these LHC tests, DTS system... (More)
CERN operates complex underground facilities, with the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) posing
unique fire detection challenges due to ionising radiation, long tunnel spans, and variable
ventilation. To address the limitations of aspirating smoke detectors in both current and future
CERN facilities, Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) systems using radiation-resistant
optical fibers are being explored as a supplementary solution.

This thesis evaluates the feasibility of DTS deployment in the LHC through a combined
experimental and computational approach. Initial Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) modelling
and ethanol pool fire experiments in a container supported the design of the LHC fire tests. In
these LHC tests, DTS system performance was evaluated under operational conditions.
Subsequently, a Lagrangian particle-based cable model was developed in FDS to support
broader applicability, incorporating a sensitivity analysis of the cable’s thermal properties, and
calibrated using experimental data. A post-processing framework was introduced to
approximate DTS system signal behaviour from simulation outputs.

The results demonstrated that the DTS system successfully detected a 10 °C temperature rise
within three minutes of ignition and provided spatial information on fire development,
supporting its potential as a complementary fire detection system in CERN’s tunnel
environments. The simulated cable responses captured key trends observed in the experimental
measurements, supporting the viability of this modelling framework for further assessment and
system design. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Kazmi, Muhammad LU
supervisor
organization
course
VBRM05 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
DTS, FDS, Fire detection, Fire experiments, Lagrangian particles, Optical fibers, Radiation- resistant cables, Tunnel fire safety, Ventilation
publication/series
LUTVDG/TVBB
report number
5740
other publication id
LUTVDG/TVBB—5740--SE
language
English
id
9191623
date added to LUP
2025-06-05 10:44:31
date last changed
2025-06-10 11:18:14
@misc{9191623,
  abstract     = {{CERN operates complex underground facilities, with the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) posing 
unique fire detection challenges due to ionising radiation, long tunnel spans, and variable 
ventilation. To address the limitations of aspirating smoke detectors in both current and future 
CERN facilities, Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) systems using radiation-resistant 
optical fibers are being explored as a supplementary solution.

This thesis evaluates the feasibility of DTS deployment in the LHC through a combined 
experimental and computational approach. Initial Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) modelling 
and ethanol pool fire experiments in a container supported the design of the LHC fire tests. In 
these LHC tests, DTS system performance was evaluated under operational conditions. 
Subsequently, a Lagrangian particle-based cable model was developed in FDS to support 
broader applicability, incorporating a sensitivity analysis of the cable’s thermal properties, and 
calibrated using experimental data. A post-processing framework was introduced to 
approximate DTS system signal behaviour from simulation outputs. 

The results demonstrated that the DTS system successfully detected a 10 °C temperature rise 
within three minutes of ignition and provided spatial information on fire development, 
supporting its potential as a complementary fire detection system in CERN’s tunnel 
environments. The simulated cable responses captured key trends observed in the experimental 
measurements, supporting the viability of this modelling framework for further assessment and 
system design.}},
  author       = {{Kazmi, Muhammad}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{LUTVDG/TVBB}},
  title        = {{Evaluating Distributed Temperature Sensing as a Novel Fire Detection Solution for CERN’s Underground Infrastructure}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}