The first step in safety and prevention in these areas is the proper design of fire suppression systems and noncombustible structures and areas.
“A proper design uses fire science principles to optimize fire detection, activation time, pressure and flow, system reliability, thermal barrier performance, manual fire fighting, ventilation [and other factors],” the agency said in the bulletin.
“This is important because FSS and NCSA are designed to provide protection after a flaming fire exists.”
According to fire history data and large-scale fire tests, blazes at belt drives and battery-charging stations often reach thousands of degrees Fahrenheit and fire suppression systems often have activation times of 13-36 minutes after ignition.
In addition to design, MSHA considers proper training to be critical – including the correct installation, testing and maintenance of fire suppression systems and NCSA.
“Fire science is not common sense,” the agency pointed out.
MSHA recommends mines consult a fire protection engineer before installing suppression systems, and ensure that all system designs in the mine comply with 30 CFR and NFPA 13, 13A, 15 and 17.
Operators should also verify that all FSS and NCSA have components that have passed large-scale testing and are approved and/or listed by a nationally recognized independent testing laboratory and rated for their intended use.
Finally, MSHA reiterated, all workers should be trained on system design, installation, testing, and maintenance. Federal guidelines fall under 30 CFR and NFPA 13, 13A, 15 and 17.
For a printable, distributable version of this bulletin, visit the MSHA web site.
