# Presentation: 665452

## WELCOME TO THE APPROVAL & CERTIFICATION 

- MSHA

**WELCOME TO THE APPROVAL & CERTIFICATION **
**CENTER**

- (304) 547-0400

## MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH  ADMINISTRATION		“THE GREAT ESCAPE”    ESCAPE PIPING SYSTEM CONCEPT

- Mark Skiles – Director, Technical Support
- John Faini – Chief, Approval And Certification Center
- Terry Hoch – Chief, Pittsburgh Safety And Health Technology Center

##         SUPPORT PERSONNEL

- 		JOE JUDEIKIS		                  JEFF KRAVITZ
- 		HOWARD EPPERLY 		 DUANE WEASE 	 	BEN GANDY 			 ANDY YANIK 	 	MIKE GETTO 			 JOHN UROSEK		DALE INGOLD 			 KIM DIEDERICH 	 	TERRY MARSHALL 	 	 JOHN DOBROVICH 	ROB PARRY 		 	 GENE FOSTER
- 		WESLEY SHUMAKER 		 ROGER SCOTT
-  	 	WALT SLOMSKI			 PHIL LEWTON

## “THE GREAT ESCAPE”

- “THE GREAT ESCAPE”

- Today we are proud to discuss and demonstrate a
- system which:
- Provides a constant, uncontaminated, positive pressure supply of breathable air independent of whatever is taking place in the  mine.
- Provides all the benefits of a refuge chamber and self contained self rescuers (scsr’s) and also provides safe means of egress through an isolated/uncontaminated/structurally protected escape path.
- 3.  Safely protect communications and tracking systems from fire and explosive forces.

## MINING EVOLUTION

**MINING EVOLUTION**

-  _Roof Control_

- narrow entries    timbers    fully grouted resin bolts     combination roof bolts

- _Mine Rescue_

- crude barricades   W65 rescuer   1969 MINE Act (escapeways)      SCSR

## MINING EVOLUTION

**MINING EVOLUTION**

- The mining industry has recently made great strides in Mine Rescue
- and disaster prevention including:
-  portable refuge chambers
-  communication and tracking
-  mine emergency response plans (ERP’s)
- now, we are pleased to introduce the next step **“THE GREAT ESCAPE”**
**MINE ESCAPE SYSTEM**

## 		  OVERVIEW OF              “THE GREAT ESCAPE”                                  POINTS OF DISCUSSION:

- Design And Layout
- Benefits
- Potential Issues And Solutions

## GREAT ESCAPE

**GREAT ESCAPE**

##  ESCAPE SYSTEM

** ****ESCAPE SYSTEM**

**       ****DESIGN** **AND LAYOUT**

-  Separate isolated escapeway
- ventilated from the surface
- by a blowing fan.
-  Doors and vents are provided
- in the end caps.
-  The system requires minimal
- ventilation and provides an
- unimpeded escapeway to the
- surface.

## ESCAPE SYSTEM OVERVIEW – 

**             ****SECTION TO MAIN**

**       ****DESIGN** **AND LAYOUT**

- The system is accessible
- near the working section and
- at points along the pipe no
- more than 2000 feet intervals.

##        DESIGN AND LAYOUT 

**       ****DESIGN** **AND LAYOUT**

- The escape system will contain:
-   battery powered prime mover
-   personnel carriers
-   communication / tracking

##        DESIGN AND LAYOUT 

**SAMPLE CALCULATION FOR FAN / BLOWER REQUIREMENT**

**Conclusion : There is very little pressure loss in the escape system, regardless of whether the pipe is 42” or 30” inside diameter.  It is critical to ensure the pressure in the system is always higher than that in the entry.  This keeps bad air out of the pipe.**

- 42” ESCAPE CONCRETE PIPE 1,000 CFM AIR
- 15,000 OF PIPE
- PRESSURE DROP IS 0.18” W.G.

- 30” ESCAPE CONCRETE PIPE 1,000 CFM AIR
- 15,000 OF PIPE
- PRESSURE DROP IS 0.96” W.G.

- ESCAPE SYSTEM

**       ****DESIGN** **AND LAYOUT**

## BENEFITS

-  The most precious resource (the miner) deserves this consideration and effort.
-  Escaping a disaster is preferred over barricading, this system enhances the chances of a successful escape.
-  Eliminates confusion during escape by providing a direct escape path.
-  Once inside the system the miner has protection from fire and smoke.
-  The system provides latitude on where a bore hole can be drilled from     the surface.

**BENEFITS**

## BENEFITS

_**COMMUNICATION / TRACKING**_
-  Ensures protected communication and tracking to the surface
-  Allows added flexibility for methods of providing communication and tracking
-  Steel reinforcing in escape system may serve as a medium frequency antenna

_**MINE RECOVERY**_
-  Significantly shortens mine recovery time by providing a protected / isolated path to reach deep into the mine.

**BENEFITS**

## BENEFITS

_**INSPECTION**_** **
-  Relatively easy inspection criteria for system
_**EMOTIONAL**_** **
-  Gives miners added psychological confidence of assured escape

**BENEFITS**

## BENEFITS

-   _**LOGISTICAL ADVANTAGES**_
- Delivery times / availability for chambers and replacement supplies are problematic.
- Everything needed to install an escape system is commercially available in sufficient volume for the industry.
- The system can provide breathable air requirements as an alternative to outby refuge chambers or refuge locations.
- Provides a prime opportunity to consider the use of rebreathers in outby applications.

**BENEFITS**

## BENEFITS

_**TRAINING ADVANTAGES**_
- The escape system would require only minimal and simplistic training.
- The escape system minimizes the wear time for SCSR’s.

**BENEFITS**

## COST

HEAVY HANDLING 

WATER ACCUMULATION / 
INFILTRATION

CROSSING JUNCTIONS AT
INTERSECTIONS WITH
ESCAPESYSTEM

- HEAVY HANDLING
- WATER ACCUMULATION /
- INFILTRATION
- CROSSING JUNCTIONS AT
- INTERSECTIONS WITH
- ESCAPESYSTEM

- System may serve as a substitute for outby chambers and also create the opportunity for considering the use of rebreathers outby.  Our most precious rescource (miner) deserves this protection
- Forklift on scoop or set similar to  “*can cribs”*
- There are commercially available methods to effectively seal joints  making them air and water tight
- Ramp down into bottom across entries like an undercast

**ISSUES**

**SOLUTIONS**

## ISSUES

- CAN’T MAKE TIGHT BENDS
- 30” PIPE IS TOO SMALL / 42” PIPE
- IS TOO BIG
- NEED TO EXAMINE WEEKLY

- Only need enough air to pressurize and move air through escape piping system.
- Can angle pipe joints up to 4.5” per 8’.  Also have ells commercially available in 7.5 degree increments to accommodate bends
- Pipe comes in a variety of sizes from 24” to over 100”

**ISSUES**

**SOLUTIONS**

## ISSUES

- PIPE CANNOT EASILY BE
- TRAVELED
- NEED TO EXAMINE WEEKLY

- In other industries such as petroleum and impoundments, pipes as small as 24” in diameter have been traveled for inspection
- Examine from outside & incorporate 6 week evacuation drills on the inside of escape system

**ISSUES**

**SOLUTIONS**

## TOUCHDOWN !!!!!

- Zero Accidents

- High Incident Rates

- USE OF CANARIES FOR GAS
-  DETECTION

- ADDITIONAL AIR-PACKS (SCSR’s)

- FLAME SAFETY LAMPS/W-65 RESCUER

- REFUGE CHAMBERS

- 1969 MINE ACT

- 2006 MINER ACT

**THE GREAT ESCAPE**

- Let’s keep driving the ball down the field!!

**TOUCHDOWN !!!!!**