ISSUE DATE: 4/13/2011

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P11-25

FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN

 Administrator for 

 Coal Mine Safety and Health

 NEAL H. MERRIFIELD

 Administrator for

 Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health

 LINDA F. ZEILER

 Acting Director of Technical Support

SUBJECT: Reissue of P04-17 - Potential Fire Hazard of Diesel Particulate

 Matter (DPM) Collected on High Temperature Disposable

 Diesel Particulate Filters (HTDPF)

Who needs this information?

This Program Information Bulletin (PIB) affects underground coal and metal/nonmetal 

mine operators using diesel-powered equipment, manufacturers of diesel-powered

underground mining equipment (including manufacturers of exhaust aftertreatment 

control devices and systems), miners’ representatives, and Mine Safety and Health 

Administration (MSHA) personnel.

Why is MSHA issuing this bulletin?

MSHA is issuing this bulletin to alert the mining industry of a potential fire hazard 

associated with DPM collected on HTDPFs used on diesel-powered equipment. The 

HTDPF serves as an aftertreatment device to control DPM.

What problems are being associated with these HTDPFs? 

MSHA is investigating several recent events in which a potential fire hazard has been 

reported to be associated with HTDPFs used on non-permissible diesel powered 
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equipment in underground coal mines. These events, which include glowing, sparking, 

and heating of the material collected on the filter media, have been reported on 

generators, air compressors, skid loaders, and tow vehicles. 
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MSHA is fully investigating these events and will provide more information as it 

becomes available. In addition, MSHA is performing additional laboratory tests and 

may make other recommendations once the test results are more conclusive. At this 

time, MSHA believes these events may be related to the HTDPFs being exposed to high 

exhaust gas temperatures greater than 650oF. The 650°F temperature is the maximum 

temperature the HTDPF can be exposed to and still maintain the DPM collection 

efficiency of 83 percent specified by the manufacturer. The filter media is not 

combusting, but the DPM collected and stored in the HTDPF combined with un-burnt 

diesel fuel and lubrication oils present on the filter media are being combusted when 

exposed to these exhaust gas temperatures.

The potential for fire can also increase when the filter becomes over loaded with DPM 

which is indicated by excessive exhaust backpressure. Mine operators should monitor 

the exhaust backpressure to minimize this fire potential. When the engine’s exhaust 

backpressure limit is exceeded, the engine is considered to be out of compliance with 

the engine approval. 

Mine operators should consider DPM control devices such as ceramic diesel particulate 

traps when the machine’s exhaust gas temperatures operate above 650°F. Mine 

operators should verify that the machine’s operating exhaust gas temperatures are 

within the DPM control device’s operating limit as specified by the manufacturer. 

Where can I find more information?

More information on diesel exhaust filters can be obtained from MSHA’s Diesel 

Particulate Rules Single Source Page (http://www.msha.gov/01-995/dieselpart.htm) 

and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH’s) Mining 

Safety and Health Research Topics (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining).

What is the background for this bulletin?

MSHA's final diesel particulate rules for underground coal mines and metal and 

nonmetal mines established new requirements for DPM over a phased-in schedule. 

This bulletin alerts miners and mine operators of a potential fire hazard associated with 

DPM material which collects on the HTDPF. MSHA provides recommendations for 

assisting mine operators in choosing the correct diesel particulate filter (DPF) for their 

specific machine application.

Who are the contact persons for this bulletin?

Coal Mine Safety and Health, Health Division 

Robert Thaxton, (202) 693-9515

E-mail: thaxton.robert@dol.gov
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Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health

Reginald J. Richards, DrPH, CIH, (202) 693-9600

E-mail: richards.reginald.j@dol.gov

Technical Support, Approval and Certification Center

Jeffrey Moninger, (304) 547-2324

E-mail: moninger.jeffrey@dol.gov

What is the authority for this bulletin?

30 C.F.R. Part 72 Subparts D, 30 C.F.R. Part 75 Subpart T and 30 C.F.R. Part 57 Subpart 

D.

Who will receive this bulletin?

Program Policy Manual Holders

Miners' Representatives

Underground Mine Operators

Special Interest Groups