Parts: I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII - VIII - IX - X - XI - XII - XIII - XIV - XV - XVI - XVII - XVIII - XIX - XX - XXI - XXII - XXIII - XXIV - XXV - XXVI - (XXVII)  

PART XXII MINE FIRES
Fire fighting

22.1 The mine manager shall plan, equip and work the mine so as to minimize the risk of fire and establish an effective organization for the conduct of fire fighting work.


The mine manager shall ensure that : -

Precautions against fire

22.2 (1) (a) - any place where any flammable or combustible substance is stored or used is suitably signposted;

(b) - any surface structure and support within a horizontal distance of 15 meters from all entrances to underground workings is, where reasonably practicable, constructed of incombustible material;

(c) - no oil, grease or other flammable substances are stored in a mine except in a closed, leakproof and labelled fireproof receptacle;

(d) - fuel oil and lubricants are conveyed only in suitable leakproof containers;

(e) - fuel storage placed underground is located away from workshops, service stations or other places where persons are engaged in work and is not used for any other purpose;

(f) - greasy and oily waste in underground workings is regularly removed to the surface in suitable containers and disposed of in a safe and environmentally sound manner;

(g) - winding engine rooms, engine rooms, transformer rooms, workshops and any room where flammable substances are stored are constructed in a fireproof manner and are provided, where practicable, with a second outlet;

(h) - any filling station has an impervious floor with arrangements for the collection of spillage oil;

(i) - the refuelling of any vehicle is not carried out while the engine is running;

(j) - gas bottles are stored, handled and used in accordance with the instructions issued by the manufacturer or supplier.


(2) No person shall at any mine -

(a) place, throw or leave or cause or permit to be placed, thrown or left any naked light or flame or any burning lighting torch, match, cigarette, tobacco, paper or other burning material on or near any combustible material or flammable substance where it may cause danger of fire or explosion;

(b) smoke or carry an open light or other burning material in any shaft conveyance or in any battery charging station or filling station;

(c) light a fire in any underground workings or on surface within a distance of 15 m from any entrance to the underground workings unless he or she has been duly authorized to do so.


The mine manager shall ensure that :-

Storage of flammable or combustible substances

22.3 (a) - no flammable or combustible substance is stored or kept in the immediate vicinity of a place where any transformer, switchgear or other electrical apparatus or heating appliance is situated;

(b) - stocks of flammable or combustible substances are not kept in the vicinity of any shaft or outlet from underground workings;

(c) - at all places underground where a flammable or combustible substance is kept the ventilation is arranged so that, in the event of a fire, as far as is practicable, the products of combustion are exhausted directly into the return airway;

(d) - any storage tanks for flammable or combustible liquid are -

(i) designed and constructed so as to be capable of resisting the maximum working pressures and stresses and made of suitable material for any projected contents;

(ii) maintained in such a manner that leakage is prevented;

(iii) contained within structures capable of holding 110 per cent of the contents of the tanks;

(iv) isolated or separated from ignition sources and combustible substances;

(v) vented or otherwise constructed to prevent development of pressure or vacuum as a result of filling, emptying or atmospheric temperature changes;

(vi) provided with piping, valves and fittings capable of withstanding working pressures and stresses;

(vii) provided with suitable earthing devices or arrangements.


Fire-fighting equipment

22.4 (1) (a) - the mine is equipped with a water mains circuit capable of delivering to all workplaces an adequate quantity of water at sufficient flow pressure for the purpose of fire-fighting, unless exempted by the Chief Inspector on grounds of natural conditions or size;

(b) - where an outside fire-fighting organization is relied upon, uniform fittings or readily available adapters are provided for hydrants;

(c) - special places of risk duly identified by the mine manager are provided with suitable fire extinguishers, sand or incombustible substance.

(d) - fire extinguishers are examined and discharged and refilled as often as may be necessary to ensure that they are kept in good working order;

(e) - a record is kept of each examination and refilling referred to in paragraph (d);

(f) - fire extinguishers containing chemicals which are liable, when operated, to give off poisonous or noxious gases, with the exception of carbon dioxide, are not provided or used in underground workings;

(g) - soda-acid or foam type extinguishers or water are not used for fighting fires caused by an electrical fault, except when the electrical apparatus causing the fault has been switched off or otherwise rendered safe;

(h) - soda-acid type extinguishers or water are not used for fighting oil fires.

(2) Any places referred to in paragraph (c) of sub-regulation (1) shall include any :- 

(a) parts of a mine where flammable or combustible substances are stored;

(b) driving unit of conveyors;

(c) electrical sub-stations and places having electrical switchgear and machinery;

(d) vehicles;

(e) battery charging stations, workshops and filling stations, on surface, at any entrance to underground workings and, in underground workings, at any station.


Procedure in case of fire

22.5 (1) Any person who notices a fire in or at a mine shall, if possible, extinguish any such fire or otherwise raise an alarm without delay and cause such steps to be taken that the occurrence of the fire is brought to the attention of the mine manager without delay.

(2) Any person, except any person directed by the mine manager to stay for the purpose of dealing with any emergency in consequence of such fire, shall be withdrawn without delay from all places likely to be affected by fire or smoke, and only persons duly authorized thereto by the mine manager shall enter such places.

(3) The mine manager shall ensure that suitable precautions are taken to prevent danger to persons from any noxious or asphyxiating gases or smoke emanating from any fire.


Fire-fighting plan

22.6 The mine manager shall -

(a) prepare a fire-fighting plan showing all locations at a mine where a fire hazard exists, the nature of the hazard and location and type of fire-fighting equipment provided;

(b) ensure that adequate refuge chambers are provided which shall be suitably pressurised and equipped with water and first aid supplies;

(c) have systematic examinations made of the fire fighting equipment provided and record the results of such examinations;

(d) establish a fire alarm system to give prompt and adequate warning to persons who may be endangered by fire;

(e) provide for a team or teams of trained persons, compatible with the size of the mine and the number of persons employed, to deal with the situation in case of fire.