Concept’s Vulcan Powers Hot Smoke Testing in Melbourne’s New Metro Stations

Concept Smoke Systems Ltd is proud to announce the recent deployment of its Vulcan smoke generator by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Melbourne, Australia, as part of the hot smoke testing of the city’s new underground Metro Tunnel stations: Arden, Parkville, and Anzac.

The Vulcan, renowned globally for its high-output, oil-based smoke generation, was chosen for this critical phase of the Metro Tunnel Project. The system’s capability to produce dense, persistent smoke enabled CSIRO and the Metro Tunnel team to rigorously assess and validate the performance of the stations’ smoke management and emergency ventilation systems under simulated fire conditions.

Supporting World-Class Infrastructure Safety

Hot smoke testing is an essential part of commissioning modern underground transport infrastructure. By simulating realistic fire scenarios, engineers can confirm that smoke control systems perform as designed, ensuring passenger safety in the event of an incident.

In collaboration with Victoria’s Big Build and key stakeholders, CSIRO conducted these tests at Arden, Parkville, and Anzac stations — all critical components of Melbourne’s transformational rail network. The Vulcan’s high smoke output and reliability made it the preferred tool to replicate the complex airflow dynamics and heat patterns expected in an actual emergency.

Why the Vulcan?

The Vulcan smoke generator is designed for demanding applications where smoke persistence, visibility, and controllability are crucial. Features that made it ideal for this project include:

Exceptional smoke density and hang-time, critical for large-volume spaces like metro tunnels.
High heat tolerance, enabling use in hot smoke scenarios.
Consistent output, supporting prolonged tests without interruption.

To learn more about the Vulcan, visit Vulcan 5000 – Concept Smoke Systems

A Commitment to Global Fire Safety Standards

This collaboration underscores Concept Smoke Systems’ ongoing contribution to major infrastructure safety projects worldwide. From the London Underground to Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel, Concept’s equipment supports engineers and fire safety professionals in delivering safer environments for the public.

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