Ala. Admin. Code r. 480-3-3-.05

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 480-3-3-.05 - Fire Prevention And Fire Fighting Equipment

(1)Electrical Installation - All stationary electrical equipment, which might communicate fire to adjacent flammable material shall be of a type which will confine the heat and flames within the equipment or it shall be so located and installed that flammable material will not be ignited. This rule does not apply to conduit wiring or to approved enclosed externally operable switches.

(2)Fireproofing Mine Entrances and Stations - Where it is determined by the Department that a serious fire hazard exists, mine openings for a distance of fifty (50) feet from the surface and underground stations having a fire hazard, shall be constructed of fireproof material or maintained in a nonflammable condition. The use of water, steel supports, concrete, granite, cement plaster or other fire resistant material satisfactory to the Department is recommended. It is further recommended that at regular intervals, in the main shafts and haulage ways, certain sections be made fireproof, to serve as fire barriers.

(3)Heating Devices Underground - Fire for personal warmth shall not be permitted underground and open torches, acetylene lamps, electric heaters, (except approved electric heaters used for baking armatures), and candles shall not be left unattended in any mine in the vicinity of wood or other flammable material. This shall not be construed to prohibit the use of torches or heating devices necessary for mechanical repairs, provided such devices have continuous attendance while lighted, and all flammable material within a radius of five (5) feet of the work being done has been removed or made wet with water before work is commenced and after the repairs have been finished.

(4)Exits to be Passable in Case of Fire - Each mine required to maintain a second exit or travelway shall protect underground employees against the hazard of all exits or travelways becoming impassable because of fire or fire gases, by one or more of the following methods:

(a) By fireproofing the main drift, slope or shaft and slope stations, provided that where there is no fire hazard sufficient to interrupt the use of the main hoist for rescue purposes, such conditions shall be a sufficient compliance.

(b) By maintaining a connecting passageway between working levels or sections of such mine and an adjoining operating mine.

(c) By such mechanical control of the air currents as will permit the supplying of fresh intake air through any shaft or escapeway by reversal of air currents, if necessary.

(d) By installation of fire-proof, smoke-proof and gas-proof doors satisfactory to the Department.

(5)Fire Doors and Bulkheads - Where it is determined by the Department that a serious fire hazard exists in a mine, then emergency fire doors or bulkheads shall be placed according to a plan to be submitted to and approved by the Department to prevent smoke and gases from cutting off the escape of men. Such doors may also be used for the control of normal mine ventilation.

(a) Such bulkheads, door frames, and fire doors shall be constructed of fireproof material and so placed and maintained that they can be readily closed and will be reasonably gas-tight.

(b) Fire doors shall be provided with suitable latches or other suitable devices so that they may be opened from either side, but cannot be opened by the reversal of the air current.

(6)Fire Warnings - A fire alarm system adequate to give warning of a fire to all employees who are working above and below ground shall be provided and maintained in good working condition in all mines. Stench warnings, telephone systems or light blinker systems are suggested.

(a) Notice of a fire must be given to all employees concerned above and below ground immediately upon discovery of a fire in or near the mine.

(b) At any mine where it is determined by the Department that the workings constitute a local or general fire hazard, the following fire fighting apparatus shall be provided and maintained in good order and available for instant use:

1.Fire Fighting Equipment - A supply of water for fire fighting so distributed that a stream of water can be had at any active working section of a mine, or unsealed section abandoned after the effective date of these rules in which a fire hazard exists and through timbered and nonfireproofed portions of the shaft or slope, with necessary connections for the attachment of hose and an adequate supply of hose so arranged that it can readily be put in a skip, cage, or other conveyance. Hose shall be kept at the mine entrance, in each working section, and at such other places as may be required by the Department.

2. Where the water supply is inadequate or cannot practicably be applied to meet the requirements of these rules, special fire fighting equipment and protection, according to a plan to be submitted to and approved by the Department, shall be supplied.

3. All equipment for fire protection purposes, when one and one-half (1 1/2) inches or larger, shall be equipped with standard threads for fire hose couplings and hydrant fittings as adopted by the National Board of Fire Underwriters.

4. For couplings under one and one-half (1 1/2) inches, standard equipment couplings shall be used.

5. A supply of sand, rock dust or other incombustible dust shall be provided where electrical equipment such as motors, transformers, etc., are located underground, or one or more fire extinguishers of an approved type for electrical fires.

6. There shall be provided at all mine openings where flammable structures exist within one hundred (100) feet of the opening, a system of fire hydrants with sufficient hose or monitors properly placed and connected with the main water supply system.

7.Maintenance of Fire Extinguishers - All equipment intended solely for fire fighting purposes shall be tested or carefully inspected at monthly intervals and defective equipment repaired or replaced immediately. All hand chemical fire extinguishers of the soda acid type shall be discharged, inspected and refilled every twelve (12) months and the date of last refilling marked on a tag attached to the extinguisher. Special care must be taken to keep the nozzles of chemical fire extinguishers free from corrosion.

8. Special provisions shall be made to protect fire extinguishers whose effectiveness is destroyed by cold.

9. Fire extinguishers shall be so placed that they will always be accessible in case of fire within the area in which such fire extinguishers may be used.

(7)Fire and Safety Diagram - Within ninety (90) days after the effective date of these rules each mine employing twenty-five (25) or more men underground shall prepare a diagram showing the position of (1) exit, (2) manways, (3) tunnels, (4) shafts, (5) fire doors, (6) fire extinguishers, (7) water lines available for fire fighting, (8) telephones, (9) refuge places. Such diagram need not show boundary lines, outlines of ore bodies, or other details not essential for the safety of the employees. Legible copies of said diagram shall be available in the mine office. They shall be brought to date at least once in six months.

(a) At each mine, there shall be an organization for fire prevention, fire control and rescue work. The members of the organization shall be instructed in their duties and a plan of action shall be posted on the mine bulletin board. Fire drill for fire organization members shall be held once every sixty (60) days.

(8)Storage of Flammable Materials and Oils - Oils and other dangerous flammable material shall be stored in a covered building kept solely for such storage, which building shall be at least one hundred (100) feet from any shaft, tunnel or other mine opening or building over a mine opening, and at least one hundred feet from any powder magazine; provided, that petroleum products may be stored in a tank or tanks buried in the ground, which tank or tanks shall be provided with proper vents, and shall be placed at least one hundred (100) feet from any shaft, tunnel or other mine opening, or building over a mine opening, and at least one hundred (100) feet from any explosives magazine.

(a) Tanks containing flammable liquids shall be so located that the escaping liquid cannot run over the surface from such tank to any mine opening or building, within one hundred (100) feet of any mine opening. Under no circumstances shall oxygen or inflammable gas be stored in proximity to oil.

(b) At all places where gasoline, distillate, oil or other flammables are stored, approved electric lights with switch outside of storage place shall be installed, if electricity is available, in order to obviate the use of open lights.

(c) Lubricating oils, greases, rope dressings and fuel oils taken underground shall be kept in approved closed metal containers that will not permit the contents to leak out or spill; provided that lubricants including fuel oils may be stored in reasonable quantities if stored in a fire-proof compartment connecting with the return airway direct to the surface, and in such manner that the oil from a ruptured or overturned container will not flow from its storage place.

1. Lubricants and fuel oils used in sections must be kept in approved metal containers kept securely closed when not in use, in minimum quantities for operations. Reasonable quantities, however, may be stored in a fire-proof compartment connecting with return airway direct to the surface and in such manner that the oil from a ruptured or overturned container will not flow from its storage place.

2. Five hundred pounds of rock dust or sand or a chemical liquid, gas or dry dust fire extinguisher suitable for use in extinguishing oil and grease fires shall be kept convenient to each oil or grease storage room in mines.

(d) No oil shall be taken underground for illuminating purposes.

(9)Flammable Material Underground - The use of gasoline underground is forbidden except in small amounts such as is required for blow torches or miners' safety lamps.

(a) The use of fuel burning engines or locomotives and internal combustion engines underground is forbidden, unless the engine or locomotive or internal combustion engine has been approved by the Department for such use.

(b) Flammable or other rubbish shall be promptly removed from the mine or placed at a point within the mine where it will not constitute a fire hazard.

(c) All discarded oily waste used about underground machinery shall be deposited in closed metal receptacles. The contents of the receptacle shall be sent to the surface when it is full.

Author: Marcus Davis, Workers' Compensation Examiner.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 480-3-3-.05

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, § 25-2-13(2).