Fire mitigation for mining equipment
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Preventing fires on mine sites is imperative to protect workers, safeguard machines, and protect the surrounding environment. Even the smallest oversight can quickly become out of control and lead to a catastrophic fire. Mine sites’ have an abundance of chemicals and flammable substances, and their remote location can mean that help Is far away. Fire mitigation strategies ensure that prevention is the primary objective of fire safety. ?
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What is fire mitigation?
Fire mitigation is the practice of identifying and controlling risks and hazards to prevent the occurrence of fire. Mining equipment requires the application of both physical engineered devices and administrative methods.
Fire occurs when these three elements are combined: Heat + Fuel + Oxygen. All engines contain these three elements, and so mitigating the risk of fire requires a methodical approach. The most effective strategy is to mitigate the heat source, eliminate fuel exposures, and reduce oxygen.
Mine site infrastructure should be ergonomically designed to minimise risk and allow for adequate ventilation, fire suppression, and evacuation. Mining equipment needs to have an individual fire mitigation plan for each machine.
Why is it important?
Because the three elements of fire are present in the running of mining equipment, the risk of fire is always high. Equipment fires become out of control very quickly, which leaves little time for extinguishing, and so stopping fires before they start should be the main priority.
The most significant consequence of an equipment fire is loss of life. The unpredictable and intense nature of fire means that if injury occurs it is considered catastrophic in severity on a risk matrix. A fire in an underground mine or confined space can quickly lead to smoke inhalation, asphyxiation, or entrapment. This is the number one reason that fire mitigation strategies are implemented and maintained.
Another risk of fire is damage to equipment and infrastructure. Not only does the loss of an asset affect the normal running of the site, but the downtime created by an incident can be lengthy. This can include investigations, audits, repairs, and implementation of corrective actions.
The remote locations of most mine sites means that equipment fires have the potential to spread to nearby bushland or farmland, creating a catastrophic event for the surrounding environment.
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Who needs it?
There are laws and regulations in place in most states that govern fire safety. In relation to mining, underground mine sites have a deep focus due to the high level of risk to human life, and specifically coal mining because of the inherent combustion risks. The legal requirement for a system of fire prevention, early detection, and suppression is varied and depends on the specifics of the site. But for safety and peace of mind, all machinery should be adequately equipped with fire mitigation appliances.
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Best practice
The most effective technique for creating a fire mitigation system on mining equipment is to carry out a comprehensive assessment to identify and categorise areas of risk. A fire mitigation audit will generally consist of a physical inspection, thermographic imaging, and 3D scans.
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Heat is the most common source of ignition, and so engineered solutions are recommended to reduce hot surfaces and overall temperature in the engine bay. The target is to reduce exposed exhaust components to <150°C. Thermal devices such as insulated blankets, dual skin component covers, heat shields, cable and hose protection, and specialised lagging is cost-effective and can be added to existing machine infrastructure.
Non-heat ignition sources such as electrical, mechanical (friction), and chemical reactions should also be assessed. Although these do not usually occur during normal running of the engine, while heat is ever present.
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Fluid spill elimination strategy aims to stop large volume or high-risk fluids from leaking or spilling through reinforced protection of hoses, fittings, and couplings. If a leak is to occur, structures should be in place to capture or redirect fluid from risk areas.
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Oxygen source needs to be treated as post-ignition element, where mitigation systems are focused on fire detection and suppression. Sensors can be installed that trigger a forced engine shutdown to reduce oxygen flow, while full suppression systems can pneumatically release a fire-extinguishing foam into the engine bay.
Implementing administrative controls such as procedures and processes ensure that safety protocols are recognised and followed. One of the most important steps in mitigating fire is to continually monitor, maintain, and reevaluate risk controls.
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A solid fire mitigation strategy safeguards workers and equipment in an otherwise dangerous environment. Understanding the risks of fire and managing the potential hazards can allow control over a seemingly unpredictable and harmful element.