Mining Publication: A Summary of U.S. Mine Fire Research
Original creation date: February 2010
Since 1910, the U. S. Bureau of Mines and NIOSH has conducted research to eliminate fires in underground mines. Early studies concentrated on the investigation of the causes of mine fires and recommendations for preventing fires, spontaneous combustion, and mine fire rescue, all of which served to improve safety in mines. In the 1950's, research characterized the flammability of gases, dusts, and vapors. The 1960's brought an emphasis on mine fire prevention, the hazards of combustible materials used in mines, and mine fire extinguishment methods. Results from these studies formed the basis for fire prevention regulations contained in the 1969 Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. The 1969 Act also greatly expanded the Bureau of Mines’ role in coal and metal/nonmetal mine fire research. This led to a significant reduction in the severity and incidence of mine fires. The MINER ACT of 2006 placed a renewed emphasis on research in the areas of mine fire prevention, detection, control, and extinguishment. This paper summarizes the highlights of the Bureau of Mines and NIOSH fire research program since 1910 and describes current research to reduce or eliminate the hazards of fires in mines.
Authors: AC Smith, ED Thimons
Conference Paper - February 2010
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20036613
2010 SME Annual Meeting and Exhibit, February 28 - March 3, Phoenix, Arizona. Littleton, CO: Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., 2010; :1-15
See Also
- A Centennial of Mine Explosion Prevention Research
- Coal-Dust Explosion Tests in the Experimental Mine 1919 to 1924, Inclusive
- The Explosibility of Coal Dust
- Fire Detection
- History of the Mining Program
- NIOSH Mining Update - New Publications 1995-96
- One Hundred Years of Federal Mining Safety and Health Research
- Program of Research - A Summary of Research in Progress during Fiscal Years 98
- A Review of NIOSH and U.S. Bureau of Mines Research to Improve Miners' Health and Safety Training
- Technical Solutions for Enhancements to Mine Safety Using Barricade II Fire Blocking Gel
- USBM Health and Safety Legacy Continues Under NIOSH
- Page last reviewed: 9/21/2012
- Page last updated: 9/21/2012
- Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program