Introduction Under normal conditions, many gases are present in the mine. The mine s ventilation system is designed to bring in fresh air to disperse and remove harmful gases and to supply oxygen. But during a disaster, the situation may be quite different. Fires and explosions may release dangerous gases into the atmosphere.
Gas detection is an important part of any rescue or recovery operation.
Your team will make frequent tests for gases as it advances inby the fresh air base. For your own safety, you ll want to know what harmful gases are present, how much oxygen is in the atmosphere, and whether or not gas levels are within the explosive range. Knowing what gases are present and in what concentrations provides you with important clues as to what has happened in the mine. Test results can also give you an idea about existing conditions. The amount of carbon monoxide indicates something about the extent of that fire.