PURPOSE:  The purpose of this research project is to reduce the incidence of fires and injuries due to fire through a comprehensive program of education, training, and basic and applied research that addresses the unique fire safety problems within the M/NM mining industry.

RESEARCH SUMMARY:  The annual number of fires occurring within the M/NM mining industry is comparable to the number occurring within the coal mining industry. This project is divided into four major tasks that address the fire safety problems within the M/NM mining industry. PRL possesses unique facilities and expertise to address these problems and to conduct the research necessary for their solution. Research on fires involving large vehicles/equipment will be used to develop improved fire control and prevention techniques and improved fire extinguishment and suppression systems, including improved systems for protection of equipment operators and novel systems for prevention of re-ignition of flammable fuel vapors from ruptured hydraulic or fuel lines.

Research on the fire resistance and flammability of combustible materials will seek to identify those combustibles most in need of more stringent fire resistance ratings and to develop and recommend tests that satisfy these needs, such as noise abatement materials, hydraulic fluids, and conveyor belting.

Research on early-warning fire detection will be used not only to develop and improve upon current fire detection technology, such as intelligent smoke sensors, but also to develop strategies and guidelines for the deployment of fire sensors and systems for a diverse range of applications.

The development of fire safety training and educational materials, including hands-on training and workshops, will be developed for the M/NM industry in order to increase worker awareness to the hazards of fire and the appropriate techniques for prevention and response.

Outputs of the project will include publications and presentations in peer-reviewed journals and at peer-reviewed conferences and fire safety training workshops that address the needs of the M/NM mining industry. The target outcome of the project is to reduce the rate of occurrence of fires and injuries due to fire by 25% in the first two years following project completion with further reductions in subsequent years. Such reductions result in significant benefits, not only in terms of reduced injuries and fatalities but also in terms of improved operating efficiency and cost of mining.