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The Prevention and Control of Fire and Explosion in Mines

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The Prevention and Control of Fire and Explosion in Mines Deep Mined Coal Industry Advisory Committee The Mining Association of the United Kingdom . The prevention and control of fire and explosion in mines INTRODUCTION This information and guidance was prepared, in consultation with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), by a working group representative of all sides of the mining industry. It represents what members of the working group consider to be good practice. Members of the working group on the prevention and control of fire and explosion in mines …………………………………………………………………………………….. Mr S Denton HM Inspector of Mines, HSE, Chairman Mr A Allsop Union of Democratic Mineworkers Mr M Davies Tower Colliery Limited Mr P Fenner UK Coal Mining Limited Mr D Flack Federation of Independent Mines Dr P Holmes British Gypsum Limited Mr S Hunneyball TES Bretby Limited Dr B Jones Mines Rescue Service Limited Mr S Mills British Gypsum Limited Mr G Robinson Cleveland Potash Limited Mr N Rowley Cleveland Potash Limited Mr E Ruck UK Coal Mining Limited Mr R Young British Association of Colliery Management Mr G Goodlad HM Principal Inspector of Engineering in Mines, HSE Mr R Leeming HM Inspector of Mines, HSE Mr M Williams HM Inspector of Mechanical Engineering in Mines, HSE Mr R Gates HSE, Working Group Secretary Papers only ……………………………………………………………………………………… Mr R Fenton The Mining Association of the United Kingdom Mr I Lavery National Union of Mineworkers 2 CONTENTS PAGES INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................... 2 Contents pages........................................................................................................................ 3 What this guide is about ......................................................................................................... 5 Legal framework ...................................................................................................................... 6 Primary legislation ..................................................................................................................... 6 Provisions relating to worker protection ..................................................................................... 6 Provisions relating to the supply of products.............................................................................. 7 List of legislative provisions ....................................................................................................... 8 Fire and explosion risk assessment ...................................................................................... 9 Introduction ................................................................................................................................9 Risk Assessment ....................................................................................................................... 9 Identifying the hazards............................................................................................................... 9 Evaluating the likelihood of a fire or explosion......................................................................... 11 Deciding who might be harmed and how................................................................................. 12 Recording significant findings .................................................................................................. 12 Reviewing the assessments .................................................................................................... 12 Risk assessment and the emergency plan .............................................................................. 13 Fire and explosion prevention and control ......................................................................... 13 Fire Protection Plan............................................................................................................... 15 Fire avoidance and control measures.................................................................................. 16 Avoidance and control of sources of ignition............................................................................ 16 Selection, and use of equipment.............................................................................................. 16 Machinery and equipment monitoring...................................................................................... 18 Inspection, testing and maintenance ....................................................................................... 20 Belt Conveyor Installations ...................................................................................................... 21 Naked lights/flame/hot work..................................................................................................... 22 Smoking and smoking materials .............................................................................................. 23 Spontaneous combustion ........................................................................................................ 23 Control of flammable materials below ground.......................................................................... 24 Fire resistant materials in structures above and below ground................................................ 25 Toxic fumes from non-metallic materials.................................................................................. 25 Detecting fires and raising the alarm ....................................................................................... 26 Particular situations ................................................................................................................. 29 Alarm systems ......................................................................................................................... 31 Alarm levels ............................................................................................................................. 31 Testing and inspection............................................................................................................. 32 3 Fire fighting ............................................................................................................................ 32 Fire-fighting measures ............................................................................................................. 32 Selection and siting.................................................................................................................. 32 Fire extinguishers .................................................................................................................... 33 On-board fire fighting systems ................................................................................................. 33 Other fire suppression systems ............................................................................................... 34 Mains water fire-fighting systems............................................................................................. 34 Fire hoses ................................................................................................................................35 Inspection, testing and maintenance of equipment.................................................................. 35 Training.................................................................................................................................... 36 Arrangements for Evacuation............................................................................................... 37 Explosion Risk Assessment ................................................................................................. 38 The risk of explosion................................................................................................................ 38 Explosion hazards ................................................................................................................... 39 Assessing explosion risks........................................................................................................ 40 Explosion Protection Plan .................................................................................................... 41 Explosion control measures................................................................................................. 42 Zoning...................................................................................................................................... 43 The selection of suitable equipment ........................................................................................ 43 Preventing an explosive atmosphere occurring ....................................................................... 45 De-energising equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres in mines ....................... 49 Control of other ignition sources .............................................................................................. 51 Degassing operations .............................................................................................................. 53 Explosion mitigation measures............................................................................................ 54 Barriers .................................................................................................................................... 54 Equipment monitoring and protection ANNEX 1 ................................................................. 55 Further Guidance on spontaneous combustion ANNEX 2 ...............................................
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