VINCI Construction Grands Projets

Created and developed in-house, WISE is an integrated telecommunication and wireless network for confined construction sites. It is a fire alarm system, access control and localisation device. It is easy to manage and can withstand partial degradation (in the event of fire). It ensures communication and geo-localisation throughout the site.

In 2002 at around 10pm on 5 March, during its construction, a fire broke out at the northern end of the A86 tunnel (France), 1.4km from the entrance and 600m from the TBM. Nineteen site workers avoided suffocation in the fire by sheltering in the Herrenknecht earth pressure balance shield tunnel boring machine (TBM), which had a 10-hour oxygen supply. Quick reaction and emergency plan follow-up prevented a tragedy and there were no casualties. WISE was created and developed in-house as a reaction to this accident, using feedback, debriefs and the people who had directly experienced this incident, and knew what matters the most when such events happen. The system has been gone on to become implemented on projects across the world. It was then decided in 2018 to create a partnership with NEOAXESS to ensure industrialization, and constant upgrading of the system. The WISE system collects and transmits the right piece of information at the right time in order to anticipate and act accordingly, even in confined spaces. The communication elements of the system allow for fixed and mobile phone network coverage and radio, and data transfer through WIFI coverage and an ethernet network. The tag-based access control and multi-entry tag based counting provide information on worker location by area and a real time headcount display. It can also provide alerts (time of presence, restricted areas and confined areas). It also allows for a real time tag search. The Fire alarm system provides a network of wireless alarm cabinets to be installed across the whole site, providing visual and audible alarm broadcasts The features described above provide a real time emergency situation room through simple, scalable and modular infrastructure. The system also has the ability to withstand a partial destruction whilst maintaining integrity. The system allows a very high level of safety beyond the norm in harsh environments.

This award recognises initiatives introduced or championed within the tunnelling industry which have enabled a project or programme team to deliver improved performance with respect to health, safety and welfare of the workforce. The entry should demonstrate how the initiative led to increased health, safety or welfare on the project and how it improved productivity and/or employee satisfaction. Initiatives that would be encouraged would include examples of effective safety management both at organisational and operational level; employee recognition schemes that promote wellbeing; links to company initiatives around occupational and mental health or inclusivity; or initiatives to promote a healthy workforce.