The Elizabeth Line, London’s east-west railway, now boasts high-speed 45 and 5G mobile coverage in its first tunnelled section.
This milestone represents a significant advancement in improving connectivity to London’s underground stations and tunnels. TfL’s (Transport for London) ongoing efforts aim to extend this coverage to Whitechapel, Canary Wharf, and Woolwich, with the entire line expected to be connected by the end of the summer.
The main mobile players, such as Three UK, EE, Vodafone, and Virgin Media O2 (VMO2), are participating in the rollout, which will benefit many passengers.
As part of the engineering team, Hillmoore Fire Protection, a specialist in passive fire protection systems for nearly twenty years, was tasked with installing new blast-proof communications rooms using Durasteel, a fire- and blast-resistant composite panel made of fibre-reinforced cement.
The Challenge
Every evening for several weeks, a dedicated team of five hundred people worked across the tube network to install the necessary communications systems. Each night, the team ensured that all installations were carefully tidied away before the network reopened to passengers the next morning.
Hillmoore became part of this team when they were introduced to the IT company commissioned by TfL to install the essential equipment. The company required specialist passive fire protection within a tight deadline to ensure the lines were open on schedule, necessitating meticulous planning and rapid execution.
The Solution
Hillmoore’s primary responsibility was constructing robust enclosures to house new communication and electrical components necessary for the mobile network infrastructure.
As one of ten licenced installers of Durasteel in the UK, Hillmoore’s specialist engineering team worked with the client to design and install enclosures which met the 60-minute integrity specification.
Durasteel is a fully certified and tested fire protection board which has been successfully installed worldwide for many years. It is constructed as a composite panel of fibre-reinforced cement with punched steel sheets mechanically bonded to both outer surfaces. This delivers the strength and resistance required to withstand high impact and blast pressures, maintain structural integrity
To minimise disruption, the company began work the weekend before a planned weekend travel closure. By the end of the closure weekend, they had completed six robust Durasteel enclosures across three stations, with two enclosures in each location.
The IT client and TfL commended Hillmoore for their work and have since been instructed to participate in the ongoing project on other lines over the next two years.
Passengers between Liverpool Street and Paddington can now enjoy seamless 4G and 5G mobile coverage in the tunnels. This improvement enhances the passenger experience on the Elizabeth line, enabling better connectivity and communication.
Amir Dawoodbhai, a 23-year-old member of TfL’s Youth Panel, highlighted the positive impact of this Tfl project in a BBC interview, stating that mobile coverage on the Tube and Elizabeth line enhances young people’s perception of safety as they travel independently through London.
View more of Hillmoore’s projects at https://hillmoorefire.co.uk
Read the BBC article here: Elizabeth line: First tunnels see 4G and 5G coverage – BBC News.
About the Author
Dave Staddon - Publisher
Co-Founder of MDM Publishing Ltd. He has worked in fire publishing for close to 30 years. The company's portfolio includes International Fire Protection, International Fire Fighter, Asia Pacific Fire, Gulf Fire & UK Fire.
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