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Mining Publication: The Brookwood Disaster and Electrical Requirements for Hazardous (Classified) Locations
Keywords: Batteries Disasters Electrical safety Ignitions Intake entries 
 Regulations
This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.
Original creation date: September 2007
Authors: TH Dubaniewicz
Conference Paper - September 2007
Download PDF Document (0.36 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20032651
IAS '07: Conference Record of the IEEE Industry Applications Conference, 42nd IAS Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, September 23-27, 2007. Piscataway, NJ: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. 2007 Sep; 4:1353-1359
Thirteen miners died as a result of 2 explosions in the Jim Walter Resources No. 5 mine near Brookwood AL in September 2001. Both explosions were ignited in intake air entries, and both were probably ignited by electrical equipment. With few exceptions, permissible equipment is not required in intake air entries of US underground coal mines. Researchers with the NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Laboratory studied the electrical equipment ignition sources for the Brookwood and other disasters to develop recommendations for preventing similar disasters. Adherence to National Electrical Code® requirements for flexible cords installed in hazardous (classified) locations may have prevented the second massive Brookwood explosion. The 30 CFR Part 7 requirements for battery assemblies should be reevaluated, taking into consideration United Mine Workers of America recommendations and the Zone 1 "increased safety" standard requirements for battery assemblies. Class 1 Division 2 or Zone 2 explosion protection techniques are recommended for intake air equipment so that they do not present a methane-air ignition source under normal operation, before mine power is shut down during emergencies. Battery powered circuits in intake air that are likely to remain energized during emergencies should be protected by more stringent protection techniques, to protect rescue/recovery personnel.
Image of publication The Brookwood Disaster and Electrical Requirements for Hazardous (Classified) LocationsConference Paper - September 2007
Download PDF Document (0.36 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20032651
IAS '07: Conference Record of the IEEE Industry Applications Conference, 42nd IAS Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, September 23-27, 2007. Piscataway, NJ: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. 2007 Sep; 4:1353-1359
See Also
Are lithium-ion cells intrinsically safe?
Battery Safety Enhancements for Underground Coal Mines
Evaluating the Inherent Safety of Li-ion Batteries in Portable Electronics Used in Underground Mine Environments
Further Study of the Intrinsic Safety of Internally Shorted Lithium and Lithium-ion Cells Within Methane-air
Laser Ignition of Flammable Gas
Methods to De-Energize Batteries
Refuge Alternatives in Underground Coal Mines
Technology News 497 - "You Are My Sunshine": A New Video Release From NIOSH on the Sunshine Mine Fire
Underground Coal Mining Disasters and Fatalities: United States, 1900-2006
Using Advanced Large-Format Energy Storage Technology in Underground Mines
Page last reviewed: September 21, 2012
Page last updated: September 21, 2012
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Mining Program
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