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Mining Publication: Technology News 519 - EZ-Up Curtain Stoppings: A Practical Solution for Directing Ventilation Airflows in Large-opening Metal/Nonmetal Mines
Keywords: Airflow Metal mining Nonmetal mining Stoppings Ventilation 
 Ventilation curtains
Original creation date: May 2006
Authors: RH Grau
Technology News - May 2006
Download PDF Document (0.08 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20030208
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2006-137, Technology News 519, 2006 May; :1-2
Supplying fresh ventilation air to dilute airborne contaminants such as diesel particulate matter, diesel and blasting fumes, and silica dust is vital to protect the health of underground mine workers. Stoppings and other control devices that are used to direct the required airflow to the active working areas are an integral part of the mechanical ventilation systems used in underground mines. Stoppings should be engineered for the pressure dynamics to which they will be subjected at the specific location where they will be installed. In addition, they should be designed for quick installation and minimal maintenance, and they must maintain their structural integrity when subjected to differential air pressures. Due to the size of the entries, stoppings in large-opening mines are difficult to construct and maintain. Flexible curtain stoppings in particular are prone to damage from blast pressures and from repetitive flapping due to varying air movement in these mines. The EZ-Up curtain stopping is designed primarily for use as a temporary or portable stopping, although test results indicate that it may remain durable for an extended time. The stopping can be constructed from a variety of fabrics, including standard mine brattice. For these particular tests, stoppings composed of two separate curtain materials were evaluated: (1) a high-density polyethylene woven fabric and (2) a string-reinforced polyethylene film and polyester fabric. The EZ-Up curtain stopping is manufactured with a sewn-in loop so that it can be easily laced onto tubing while on the ground and then hoisted with a strap and ratchet mechanism system to the mine roof. Because the stopping is constructed mainly on the ground, miners exposure to the hazards of working at heights (typically 20-40 ft) associated with large-opening mines is reduced. The EZ-Up curtain stopping is constructed in four phases: (1) preparation and ratchet installation, (2) curtain preparation, (3) curtain hoisting, and (4) securing the perimeter.
Image of publication Technology News 519 - EZ-Up Curtain Stoppings: A Practical Solution for Directing Ventilation Airflows in Large-opening Metal/Nonmetal MinesTechnology News - May 2006
Download PDF Document (0.08 MB)
NIOSHTIC2 Number: 20030208
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2006-137, Technology News 519, 2006 May; :1-2
See Also
Experimental and Modeling Investigation of the Effect of Ventilation on Smoke Rollback in a Mine Entry
Investigation into the Practical Use of Belt Air at US Longwall Operations
Maximizing the Ventilation of Large-Opening Mines
Novel Stopping Designs for Large-Opening Metal/Nonmetal Mines
Technology News 491 - NIOSH Releases Two New Safety Training Videos
Technology News 501 - Measuring Very Low Air Velocities in Underground Metal/Nonmetal Mines
Technology News 518 - Super Stopping: A Permanent Solid Stopping for Directing Ventilation Airflows in Large-opening Metal/Nonmetal Mines
Using Ultrasonic Anemometers to Evaluate Factors Affecting Face Ventilation Effectiveness
Ventilation Planning Layouts for Large Opening Mines
Ventilation to Control Contaminants in Metal/NonMetal Mining Operations
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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