Pressurization Of Intake Escapeways With Parachute Stoppings To Reduce Infiltration Of Smoke

Safe escape from coal mine fires continues to be a concern of the mining industry. The most life-threatening fires occur outby the working sections. Because stoppings always leak some air, an outby fire may in time cause intake escapeways to become contaminated with smoke and toxic gases. Smoke and gas infiltration into intake escapeways can be minimized by raising their air pressure over that of adjacent airways. This can be done by checking off the intake escapeway near the working face. The Bureau of Mines has investigated the use of a parachute stopping as a quick-erect check curtain during mine fires, and the concept has been tested in several mines. In every instance, when a parachute stopping was erected on the section, the intake pressure went up substantially. The pressure-raising effect of the parachute persisted for up to 1200 m (4000 ft) outby. Results indicate that checking off the intake escapeway may serve as a viable way to improve safety during mine fires.