edcayton Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 A friend has just been to France using the Shuttle. I'm just wondering why they tell you to open the car windows? Cheers Ed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold chris p bacon Posted December 8, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 8, 2016 Pressure in the tunnel? quite a few car alarms are sensitive to it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 A friend has just been to France using the Shuttle. I'm just wondering why they tell you to open the car windows? Cheers Ed It's in connection with two things. Firstly, it enables the on-board fire detection systems to detect smouldering from ashtrays etc within the vehicle. Secondly, it allows you to hear any safety messages that might be made over the PA system. Pressure in the tunnel? quite a few car alarms are sensitive to it. No. (sorry- didn't mean to appear abrupt) The pressure build-up one might expect is largely dissipated by the Piston Relief Ducts. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin_m Posted December 8, 2016 Share Posted December 8, 2016 The reason is simple, having an open window allows British air to slowly leave the car as the journey progresses avoiding a sudden inflow of French air when the windows are opened in France. The same regulations apply in all international tunnel and bridge crossings. Sudden changes in air nationality are to be avoided and are regulated in the European Union by the Air Directorate. I thought, for the time being at least, we had free movement of air? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kandc_au Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Including "HOT" air? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertiedog Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 It allows you to get used to the whiff of garlic as you enter France.................and as you leave it allows fresh air in to remove the smell........yet another reason for Brexit................: signed Nigel....... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nearholmer Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 It allows small children to throw their special teddy out, so that it then rolls far under the car, where it is all but inaccessible, leading to a giant separation-tantrum just when you could really do without one. How do I know this? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 We've had the 'Lost Teddy' sketch- more annoying are the used nappies that inconsiderate passengers kick under their cars. AS well as the smoke detectors (of two types), there are also UV spark detectors at floor and ceiling level, which is why you get asked to turn off headlamps and don't use flash cameras. The alarms work on the basis that a single source sets off a remote alarm, warning the crew. However, if there is already an alarm at this level of activation in the vehicle, then the gravity of the incident increases; dependent on the combination, either a layer of AFFF is discharged at floor level, or a Halon discharge, can take place, without intervention from the crew. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevelewis Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 The reason is simple, having an open window allows British air to slowly leave the car as the journey progresses avoiding a sudden inflow of French air when the windows are opened in France. The same regulations apply in all international tunnel and bridge crossings. Sudden changes in air nationality are to be avoided and are regulated in the European Union by the Air Directorate. So if /When this Brexit thingy comes to fruition what will happen then???, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 So if /When this Brexit thingy comes to fruition what will happen then???, You'll have to hold your breath.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eastwestdivide Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Surely the windows have to left down for safety reasons in case the tunnel floods with water after it's been damaged by a dragging boat anchor in the Channel above - then it's easier to equalise the water pressure, open the door, get out and bob up to the surface. Err, hang on a minute... let me just think about that... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edcayton Posted December 9, 2016 Author Share Posted December 9, 2016 They will fill in the tunnel. They are already scrapping the trains. Ed Sorry-reply to post 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange Cat Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 None of my car windows work anyway, so I'd better avoid travelling through the tunnel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Welchester Posted December 9, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 9, 2016 It allows you to get used to the whiff of garlic as you enter France.................and as you leave it allows fresh air in to remove the smell........yet another reason for Brexit................: signed Nigel....... As most garlic is produced in the Isle of Wight, our pungent supplies should be unaffected. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium brushman47544 Posted December 9, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 9, 2016 It's in connection with two things. Firstly, it enables the on-board fire detection systems to detect smouldering from ashtrays etc within the vehicle. Secondly, it allows you to hear any safety messages that might be made over the PA system. Wasn't it also to let the halon gas enter the cars in the event of a fire? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium uax6 Posted December 9, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 9, 2016 As halon isn't allowed anymore, what is used now? Andy G Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Gwiwer Posted December 9, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 9, 2016 As halon isn't allowed anymore, what is used now? Andy G I believe they get the French to line up at the entrance and give you a 21-bum salute. Nothing like flatulence after manger les escargots Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 As halon isn't allowed anymore, what is used now? Andy G I believe that there was a derogation for halon, though I believe it is being replaced. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ColinK Posted December 10, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted December 10, 2016 In case you had a curry the night before. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold adb968008 Posted December 10, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 10, 2016 The reason is simple, having an open window allows British air to slowly leave the car as the journey progresses avoiding a sudden inflow of French air when the windows are opened in France. The same regulations apply in all international tunnel and bridge crossings. Sudden changes in air nationality are to be avoided and are regulated in the European Union by the Air Directorate. So if /When this Brexit thingy comes to fruition what will happen then???,The price of air will become more expensive. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBAGE Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 The reason is simple, having an open window allows British air to slowly leave the car as the journey progresses avoiding a sudden inflow of French air when the windows are opened in France. The same regulations apply in all international tunnel and bridge crossings. Sudden changes in air nationality are to be avoided and are regulated in the European Union by the Air Directorate. So, when we finally remove ourselves from the happy family of Europeans and their laws, will we be able to keep our windows closed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Controller Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 A slight aside here. I have previously mentioned the various fire detection systems, though there is one I have yet to mention. This is the Drainage Gas Detector, which lives below the grids along the centre of every wagon. It samples the air, and 'sniffs out' hydrocarbon vapours such as petrol or diesel fumes. It is more sensitive than most human nostrils, and will pick up not just fuel leaks, but over-full tanks- this is why you might have a crew member at your (hopefully open) window, inquiring whether you've just 'tanked up'. As I said, this is a very sensitive system; on one occasion, I remember being asked by the Chef-du-Train to check an empty wagon, where the drainage gas alarm had just gone off. Upon opening the doors, a foul odour was evident. A fellow crew member had felt an imminent attack of flatulence, and had nipped into the empty wagon to 'relieve the pressure'; unfortunately, he had been standing close to the air-sampler when he let one rip. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titan Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 Does not having too many windows open cause a crash? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold JCL Posted December 10, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 10, 2016 It's alright leaving the windows open, but what about the monkeys? I've never been in a car in the Chunnel, but I was told there are monkeys. Or is that Whipsnade? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBAGE Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 It's alright leaving the windows open, but what about the monkeys? I've never been in a car in the Chunnel, but I was told there are monkeys. Or is that Whipsnade? You're not from Hartlepool, are you? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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