Mining Publication: Evaluation of a Novel Fire Blocking Gel to Prevent and Suppress Mine Fires
Original creation date: January 2012
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and Northwest Barricade LLC (NWB) conducted a study to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel fire blocking gel for use in underground coal mines to extinguish or to retard the growth of a coal fire. The gel agent was subjected to controlled laboratory testing to assess its ability to delay coal ignition. It was then evaluated to determine if manual fire hose application could be used to apply the agent to mine roofs and ribs to provide a safe egress for mine rescue teams from a fire area. The gel agent was also evaluated in a water sprinkler system to determine its potential for use in conveyor belt fire suppression systems. The agent was then tested in live-fire exercises to examine its effectiveness in retarding and extinguishing a deep-seated coal fire and wood fire. Lastly, the ability of a Mine Rescue Team to quickly and safely apply the gel agent to a mine entry during a simulated mine fire exercise was determined.
Authors: AC Smith, DC Fredley, D Lauriski, ED Thimons
Peer Reviewed Journal Article - January 2012
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20040460
Trans Soc Min Metal Explor TP-10-020, 2012 Jan; 330:350-357
See Also
- Application of Gas-Enhanced Foam at the Excel No. 3 Mine Fire
- Effect of Air Velocity on Conveyor Belt Fire Suppression Systems
- The Effects of Ventilation and Preburn Time on Water Mist Extinguishing of Diesel Fuel Pool Fires
- Evaluation of the Bagged Stone Dust Barrier Effectiveness in a Bord and Pillar Mine
- Fire Fighting
- Ignition of Methane-Air Mixtures by Laser Heated Small Particles
- Inflatable Partitions for High-Expansion Foam Generators
- Performance-Based Fire Safety Designs for Self-Escape in Underground Mines
- Technical Solutions for Enhancements to Mine Safety Using Barricade II Fire Blocking Gel
- Testing and Evaluation of an Inflatable Temporary Ventilation Control Device
- Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program