Fires, Firefighting, and Explosions

1. Fires, Firefighting, and Explosions Fires Firefighting Equipment Firefighting Indirect Firefighting Explosions

2. Fires • The Fire Triangle fuel oxygen ignition

3. Classification of Fire • A (ash) Carbon-paper,wood,coal • B (boil) Liquids-gasoline,diesel fuel • C (current)Electrical- cables, motors • D (ding) Metals- magnesium, titanium

4. Firefighting Equipment • Hand Held Extinguishers • Rockdust • Water • Foam • Inert Gases

5. Hand held Extinguishers • Monammonium phosphate • Rated for ABC fires, interrupts the basic chemistry of fire. • Not recommended for D fires. (Red body & pressure gauge) • CO2 • Rated for BC fires, will only extinguish surface area, heated core may reignite. (Red body & horn, no gauge) • Halon • Rated for BC fires, used mainly in electronics, dangerous because Halon displaces oxygen. (Red body and gauge) • Pressurized Water • Rated for A fires only, usually a baking soda charge. (Stainless steel body)

6. Using hand held extinguishers • Remember: • Select the right type • Used mostly for small fires • Will usually discharge in less than one minute • Training is a must • Stay low to avoid fumes • Never block escape route • When extinguishing a fire “PASS” • P Pull the pin • A Aim low • S Squeeze the handle • S Sweep from side to side

7. Water • Water is highly effective on Class A fires, by cooling down the fire and surrounding atmosphere. • At most mines, water is usually in plentiful supply. • Can be used to cool down the firefighting team to prevent heat exposure.

8. Disadvantages • Water should not be used to control a B or C fire. • Inadequate pressure or too high pressure • The volume of water can be restricted to the length of water lines and hoses(frictional loss- 1/2 lbs. for every ten feet of 1 1/2 inch hose). • The fire nozzle can clog to non-filtered materials in the lines. • Hydrogen can be produced by applying water to super hot fires.

9. Nozzles • Many mines use fixed nozzles that limit the amount of water to be used • Volume not pressure will put out the fire • Nozzles in the mine today may not handle the high water pressure and may blow out • Hoselines • Any hoseline under 2 inch diameter will have frictional loss • Hoselines must a bursting pressure at least 4 times the mine’s outlet pressure • Multiple walled hoses should only be used • Proper deployment and storage of hoseline will determine if firefighting efforts are successful

10. Foam • Protein • Animal protein from entrails or blood (Class A & B fires) • Burn back protection, not film forming, adheres well to roof • Fluoroprotein • Animal protein with fluorinated surfactants (Class A & B fires) • Burn back protection, film forming • Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) • Synthetic (Class A & B fires) • Burn back protection, film forming • Alcohol Type Concentrates (ATC) • Used mainly in alcohol based liquids (Class A & B fires) • Burn back protection, film forming • High Expansion Foam • Special detergent concentrate, expands 1000 times its own volume (Class A fires) • No burn back protection, not film forming

11. Training • All persons directly involved should have hands on training. • Support personal should participate in monthly mine rescue training and MERD exercises. • Mine rescue team members shall have at least 4 hours training monthly or 8 hours bimonthly(Pa State Trained Teams train at least 6 hours monthly). State Trained teams participate in simulated exercises at Niosh(Lake Lynn facility and Bruceton.

12. Before Going Underground • Before sending teams underground make sure that: • A. The main fan is running • B. A guard is monitoring the operation of the fan • C. Tests are being made at main returns for any mine gases All persons should be aware if the fire is spreading or a possible explosion can occur.

13. Do not make any sudden changes in mine ventilation • Determine location of battery or diesel operated equipment • Determine location of storage areas for explosives, oil and grease, diesel fuel, bottled gas • Cut off electric power to affected area, to prevent arcing starting additional fires and safety to minerescue teams.

14. Locating Fires & Assessing Conditions • Information given by mine officials and workers where smoke, fumes or heat was last seen • The amount of afterdamp gases could determine what is burning and how much is burning • Laboratory analysis could determine if the fire is still burning

15. Information received from the rescue teams during exploration • Gas readings near the fire area to determine if the atmosphere is potentially explosive • Check on ventilation controls for damage • Roof must continually be evaluated since heat will weaken the strata

16. Direct Firefighting Firefighting teams have to be very close to the fire area Teams should approach fire from intake side to ensure safety • High volume of water is recommended • Use of wide angle fog for team safety and steady steam for direct contact with fire • Hazards include: electrocution, toxic and asphyxiating gases, explosive gases, heat, smoke and steam

17. Use of a transverse brattice

18. Indirect Firefighting • Mine hazards include: high temperatures, bad roof, or explosive gases • Necessary to fight the fire from a distance by sealing the area or by filling the fire area with foam or water

19. Six factors to consider sealing the fire area: • 1. Volatility of the coal seam- High vol coal burns faster and much more difficult to fight directly • 2. Amount of methane liberated by the coal seam • 3. Location of the fire and the area involved • 4. Presence of head coal and the composition of roof strata • 5. Availability of materials and transportation • 6. Building sites for the seals

20. Sealing the Area • Purpose: to lower oxygen level so fire may burn out in addition to foaming or flooding the area • Seal area should have good roof • Even roof and rib • Temporary seals should used before permanent seal are built • Air sampling tubes install for gas and temperature readings • Make sure no abrupt ventilation change over fire area • All persons should leave mine in case explosive gases build up in seal area • Possible to use boreholes from surface to pump water and/or nitrogen to fire area

21. Explosions • As in fire, explosions need fuel, oxygen and heat • Methane and/or coal dust are the most likely source of fuel( 2% methane and the right amount of coal dust can create an explosion) • Coal dust explosions travel at a speed exceeding 3000 ft. per second

22. Ignition sources include: electric arc, open flame, misuse ox explosives, sparks from continuous cutting heads • Once an explosion occurs, there is a chance of more explosions due to the ventilation systems being damaged • Before going under ground, make sure that the fan is running and guarded • Tests are made at the fan for dangerous gases