Servicing

Anyone who’s spent time working underground knows how quickly parts and machinery can age.

 

MineARC Refuges are built to withstand the tough conditions, however, like any piece of machinery they will inevitably age over time.

 

Every refuge contains of a number of parts and consumables vital to the life support systems inside, in particular, the components that receive the most day-to-day wear and tear whilst the refuge operates in stand-by mode. These include; air filter elements, door seals, mufflers and vent valves. Through extended use, these components inevitably degrade and can lose performance.

 

For this reason, MineARC HRM Refuges require regular servicing every 4 MONTHS (effectively 3 times a year).

In the United States, CoalSAFE Refuges require servicing ANNUALLY, and Safe-Havens every 6 MONTHS. (The variance in service timelines is based on the number of consumables each refuge typically goes through).

 

What Are Your Servicing Responsibilities?

 

Firstly, you need to plan a regular 'service schedule' for all refuge's on site - recording all past services and scheduling in future ones.
 

Secondly, decide on whether servicing is to be conducted by MineARC, or by site personnel using MineARC's Remote Service Packs (commonly referred to as RSP's or Service Kits) available directly from MineARC.
 

If conducting your own service schedules, all personnel responsible for performing the service should first attend one of MineARC's free Service Schools held in Perth throughout the year.

 

 

 

Compliance with Official Industry Guidelines

 

Remember, regular refuge servicing to manufacturer's specifications also forms an important component under many industry guidelines and regulations, such as the DMP Guidelines in Australia, and MSHA and the West Virginian Regulations in the United States.

 

HRM Mines in Australia:

The Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) in Western Australia has published an official guideline used to help govern the provision of emergency refuge in Australian metalliferous (hard rock) mines. The guideline: Refuge Chambers in Metalifferous Mines, is updated each year, and is referred to by the Mines Inspectorates Office when conducting on-site safety inspections.

 

Tunnelling Projects:

The International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA) Working Group 5, identified the need for guidance on the provision of refuge chambers in tunnels under construction. A refuge chamber is a place of relative safety in a shaft or tunnel where tunnellers can be accommodated with access to basic life support services until rescued or it is safe for them to exit the tunnel.

 

MineARC Systems meets the ITA Guideline and won the 2013 International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA) award for Leading Safety Initiative.