The guiding principle and instruction for high speed train pilots is: a train with an onboard fire must never stop inside a tunnel. If a fire breaks out, the pilot will do all he can to bring the train to a safe standstill before a tunnel (or if necessary after it). But in the almost inconceivable event that a burning train comes to a standstill inside a tunnel, passengers and train staff must be able to get themselves to safety quickly .

All tunnels consist of two tunnel tubes, or half tubes (Bored Green Heart Tunnel), so that people, in case of fire, can escape from one tunnel tube to the other safe tube, and from there leave the tunnel and/or wait for the emergency services. In the Bored Tunnel, the partition wall has connecting doors every 150 metres. In the Rotterdam North Fringe Tunnel there is an emergency exit every 300 metres, opposite to the emergency stairways. All tunnels remain fire-resistant for a long period; emergency workers have at least four hours to help and evacuate people.

Inside the tunnels there are clearly signposted, well-lit and well-ventilated escape routes, as well as emergency exits and stairways in vertical shafts leading up to surface platforms that are easily accessible for relief services. The escape routes are at least 1.20 metres wide and are parallel to the tracks, at platform height to allow people to get off safely and easily.

The shortest route to the emergency exits and the escape shafts is clearly signposted. The maximum distance between escape shafts is 2 kilometres, which means that any shaft is never further away than one kilometre. These are well-ventilated, smoke-resistant and fireproof. At ground level, all escape shafts exit to accessible platforms with parking places and access roads for fire engines and the Regional Health Authorities (GGD)/ Medical Assistance for Accidents and Disasters (GHOR). In addition, the tunnels have water supply points and communication facilities for the fire department.