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Guidelines for Rescue Chambers

Guidelines for Rescue Chambers. Randy Berry Foster-Miller Inc. Background. Foster-Miller is a consulting engineering company, with extensive experience in: Robotics Instrumentation Mine safety research Ventilation studies Emergency escape hoist guidelines

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Guidelines for Rescue Chambers

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  1. Guidelines for Rescue Chambers Randy BerryFoster-Miller Inc.

  2. Background • Foster-Miller is a consulting engineering company, with extensive experience in: • Robotics • Instrumentation • Mine safety research • Ventilation studies • Emergency escape hoist guidelines • Escape system guidelines for metal/nonmetal mines • Guidelines for oxygen self-rescuers • Guidelines for rescue chambers

  3. Background • Foster-Miller is a consulting engineering company, with extensive experience in: • Robotics • Instrumentation • Mine safety research • Ventilation studies • Emergency escape hoist guidelines • Escape system guidelines for metal/nonmetal mines • Guidelines for oxygen self-rescuers • Guidelines for rescue chambers

  4. Background • Foster-Miller is a consulting engineering company, with extensive experience in: • Robotics • Instrumentation • Mine safety research • Ventilation studies • Emergency escape hoist guidelines • Escape system guidelines for metal/nonmetal mines • Guidelines for oxygen self-rescuers • Guidelines for rescue chambers

  5. Summary of the Presentation • Introduction • General rescue chamber requirements • Examples of rescue chamber designs • Other considerations • Location methodology • Conclusions

  6. Introduction • Rescue (refuge) chambers are a last resort option for trapped miners who have no escape options

  7. General Rescue Chamber Requirements • Mine specific • Move-able and re-useable • Explosion resistant • Air supply • Other considerations (supplies, where to locate, etc.)

  8. Design of A Crosscut Rescue Chamber • Required the development of a re-usable explosion-proof bulkhead

  9. Two Part Project For Rescue Chamber Study • Design, fabrication, and testing of explosion proof bulkhead(s) for use (and re-use) in a rescue chamber • Development of guidelines

  10. Key Components of An Explosion-Proof Bulkhead • The bulkhead • Securing the bulkhead to ribs, roof, and floor • Man-door • Sealing around bulkhead perimeter Emphasis on using off-the-shelf materials

  11. Mine Specific Designs • Size of crosscut • Competence of the surrounding strata

  12. Design #1:Channel-TurnbuckleBulkhead • -3

  13. Design #2: Truss Bulkhead

  14. Design #3: Arch Bulkhead

  15. Other Considerations • Air supply (borehole preferred) • Food and water • Communications • First aid • Maintaining roof and rib support • Ventilation during standby periods • Choosing location(s)

  16. Location Methodology • Mine specific • Flooding risk (pumps lose power) • Surface access • Within 1 hour of the face • Locations along escape routes (and to store additional SCSRs)

  17. Conclusions • Rescue chambers have a place in an overall mine escapeway plan • The rescue chamber concept is worth revisiting and updating • New technology will play a role • SCSRs and other emergency breathing apparatus • Improved structural materials (strong, lightweight) • Improved sealants

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