ISSUE DATE: 07/17/09 

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P09-14 

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN

 Administrator for 

 Coal Mine Safety and Health 

SUBJECT: Re-Issue P06-01 - Compliance with the Testing and Maintenance 

 Requirements of 30 C.F.R. 75.1911(i), Fire Suppression Systems 

 for Diesel-Powered Equipment and Fuel Transportation Units. 

Scope 

This Program Information Bulletin (PIB) affects underground coal mine operators, 

miners and miners’ representatives, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) 

enforcement personnel, and other interested parties should have this information. 

Purpose

The purpose of this bulletin is to clarify the basic requirement for underground coal 

mine operators to test and maintain each fire suppression system installed on dieselpowered equipment and fuel transportation units in accordance with the 

manufacturer’s recommendations as required in 30 C.F.R. § 75.1911(i). The PIB also is 

intended to promote consistent enforcement of § 75.1911(i). 

Information

MSHA’s section 30 C.F.R. 75.1911 addresses the requirements for installation of fire 

suppression systems on diesel-powered equipment and fuel transportation units. 

Section 75.1911(i) reads: 

 “Each fire suppression system shall be tested and maintained in 

 accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended inspection and 

 maintenance program and as required by the nationally recognized 

 independent testing laboratory listing or approval, and be visually 

 inspected at least once each week by a person trained to make such inspections.” 
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The intent of this section is to ensure that persons conducting inspections and 

maintenance on fire suppression systems on diesel-powered equipment are properly 

trained to perform such work and have sufficient knowledge to determine whether the 

system is functioning properly. Adequate testing and maintenance of fire suppression 

systems is essential because of the distinct part these systems play in suppressing 

machine fires. Therefore, the testing and maintenance of fire suppression systems must 

be done in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. These inspection 

and maintenance procedures are evaluated as part of the system’s approval or listing by 

a nationally recognized independent testing laboratory. 

As stated in the preamble discussion to § 75.1911(i), “a person trained to perform the 

inspection and maintenance on fire suppression systems as required under § 75.1911(i) 

is not required to be a person qualified under § 75.1915. However, the person 

performing tests and inspections of fire suppression systems must have sufficient 

knowledge to determine whether a fire suppression system is functioning properly.” 

61 FR 55477. “The weekly visual inspection in § 75.1911(i) is not intended to be an indepth inspection, but a quick check to determine if defects, such as disconnected hose 

lines or altered nozzles, are readily apparent.” 61 FR 55477. 

It is the responsibility of underground coal mine operators to ensure that fire 

suppression systems installed on diesel-powered equipment are in compliance with 

§ 75.1911(i). The decision as to whom will perform the mandated inspection and 

maintenance on such equipment is within the mine operator’s discretion. 

Background

A provision within a fire suppression system manufacturer’s recommendations restricts 

and limits the inspection and maintenance of the system to the manufacturer’s 

personnel, authorized distributor personnel, or persons designated by the manufacturer 

or authorized distributor. However, it appears that neither the manufacturer nor the 

authorized distributors provide training or designate mine operator’s employees to 

perform the inspections and maintenance of the system. As a result, questions have 

been raised concerning the interpretation and enforcement of the inspection and 

maintenance requirements of § 75.1911(i). This bulletin clarifies the compliance 

responsibilities of underground coal mine operators with § 75.1911(i). 

Authority

Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977; 30 C.F.R. Part 75 Subpart T – Diesel 

Powered Equipment 
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Issuing Office and Contact Persons

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Safety Division 

John Arrington, (202) 693-9549 

E-mail: arrington.john@dol.gov

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Safety Division 

Michael G. Kalich, (202) 693-9714 

E-mail: kalich.michael@dol.gov 

Internet Availability

This Program Information Bulletin may be viewed on the World Wide Web by 

accessing the MSHA Home Page www.msha.gov and then choosing “Compliance 

Info.” 

Distribution

Coal and All Volume Program Policy Manual Holders 

Underground Coal Mine Operators 

Miners’ Representatives 

Special Interest Groups 

Equipment Manufacturers