MineARC Systems
HRM6-ELVP (Portable)
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The HRM6-ELVP is the latest innovation in ultra-portable refuge chambers from MineARC Systems.
The HRM6-ELVP (Hard Rock Mine, 6 Person, Extra Low Voltage, Portable) uses an extra-low-voltage control system to power the chamber's internal life support systems which include CO / CO2 scrubbing and air conditioning / dehumidifying for a minimum 36hrs.
Because of the extra-low-voltage control system, the chamber can be left for extended periods (upto 6 weeks), without connection to mains 'mine' power. Meaning you can take the chamber virtually anywhere, anytime - which is ideal for single entry headings and development faces.
The HRM6-ELVP is also smaller and more lightweight compared to the standard range of HRM refuge chambers. However, the HRM-6ELVP is just as robust, and comes with a range of optional extras including raised skids and IT hitch (for lifting with a Bogger and/or IT unit).
5MM (1/4") STEEL CONSTRUCTION
The Refuge's shell is built from 5mm (1/4") steel plate TO ALL SIDES, comprising pressed sections to minimise joints. The shell is then reinforced with 100mm (4") PFC steel for extra strength and protection. For additional protection, rubber bolsters can be added to all four corners.
The Refuge is fitted with a skid base, IT fork slots, lifting lugs and towing points for easy transportation.
AIR CONDITIONING
MineARC recognises that cooling the refuge chamber’s interior is essential to providing a safe ongoing environment. Aside from the effects of ambient (external) mine temperature effecting the flow of transient heat in and out of the refuge, occupants themselves will generate between 120-180W of metabolic heat every hour. Multiple independent tests have proven that without cooling, temperatures inside an occupied refuge can reach potentially fatal levels within just a few hours.
All MineARC electrically powered refuge chambers are therefore fitted with quality reverse cycle air conditioners. Under normal circumstances, the air conditioning and all other life support is designed to run off ‘mains’ power supply. However, in the result that mains connection has been lost during in an emergency, the refuge chambers’ battery back-UPS system will continue to power the air conditioning systems for a minimum of 36hrs, standalone.
Many industry Guidelines/Regulations around the world now state that the internal (apparent) temperature of a refuge must not rise above 30°C / 86°F, even at prolonged ambient (external) temperatures as high as 60°C / 140°F. MineARC HRM refuge chambers have been successfully tested to meet and exceed these standards.
AIR SYSTEMS
A MineARC refuge chamber is fitted with three (3) separate air/oxygen supply systems. Should one supply fail or become exhausted, the next supply takes over:
1. Filtered and Silenced Compressed Air Supply ('Mine Air').
Under normal circumstances a MineARC refuge will be fitted to 'mains' air supply - providing a continuous supply of oxygen (O2) and automatically flushing the refuge of a build-up in CO/CO2 generated. The refuge is sealed air tight to achieve positive internal pressure, hence 'old' air continuously exits via the one-way vents at the front of the refuge.
The refuge is fitted for receiving mine air with the following components:
1" Pre Filter with Auto Drain; 1" Coalescing Filter with Auto Drain; 1" Absorption Filter with Auto Drain; Regulator and Silencer
2. Medical Grade Oxygen Cylinders
Should mine air fail, the CO/CO2 scrubbing system is activated and medical grade compressed oxygen (supplied in high pressure metal cylinders), are on hand to continue providing a steady supply of O2 to the refuge. Fitted with a standard regulator, the cylinder outputs can be adjusted to suit entrapment time and number of occupants
3. Oxygen Candle
Most MineARC refuge chambers are fitted with O2 candles as standard. Should all O2 cylinders become exhausted, each O2 candle will provide a minimum of 6 additional hours supply, based on a fully occupied 20 person refuge (the lower the occupancy, the greater supply and hence longer safe entrapment time). The candle is a solid block of chlorate chemical mixture, which upon ignition, produces high purity O2 in a controlled manner. They are commonly used in submarines, aerospace systems, personnel shelters and other safe havens. They have long shelf lives, occupy minimal space and require no maintenance. They are also safer in confined spaces than liquid or compressed O2.
CHEMICAL TOILET
A chemical toilet is installed in every refuge, situated in a separate compartment, complete with privacy screen. The chemical toilet has a capacity of 5 gallons (18 litres).
CUSTOM TRANSPORT CONFIGS
Most MineARC refuge chamber models can be custom engineered with a range of special transport configurations in mind, including; raised skid base (to aid integrated transport (IT) and front loader units), side IT bracket, additional forklift slots, wheels and an A-frame tow bar (not available on Australian models).
DIGITAL GAS MONITORING
Every MineARC refuge chamber comes equipped with either a Digital Gas Monitoring system (DGM) or manual gas monitoring system. A DGM system continuously monitors and alerts occupants to the levels of CO, CO2 and O2 (oxygen) inside the chamber and includes external monitoring capability. Under a manual gas monitoring system, occupants use special chemical tubes and a pump to extract samples of the air inside the chamber. Manual gas monitoring must be performed at regular intervals (e.g. hourly).
ELV CO & CO2 SCRUBBER
The HRM-ELVP refuge features an Extra-Low-Voltage carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) scrubbing system that is designed to remove the build up of these potentially harmful gases from the air inside the refuge chamber. A build up in CO/CO2 is caused by the occupants themselves - as they exhaust oxygen and expire CO/CO2. An ingress of these harmful gases can also occur as occupants enter/exit the chamber. Without scrubbing, the atmosphere inside an occupied refuge can become fatal in a matter of hours.
MineARC developed its extra low voltage scrubbing system to provide occupants with ease of use, extended time periods between chemical change outs, and varying levels of scrubbing capacity. MARCISORB 1000 (CO) and MARCISORB 1500 (CO2) pre-filled chemical canisters provide proven absorbing capabilities. They are easy to handle and store for long periods.
EXTRA LOW VOLTAGE (ELVP)
The HRM-ELVP range of refuge chambers feature an Extra Low Voltage electrical system to power the chamber’s internal life support systems, including CO / CO2 scrubbing and air conditioning / dehumidifying. Both systems ensure a safe internal environment for occupants over prolonged entrapment durations.
Because of the extra low voltage system, the refuge can be left on ‘stand-by’ for extended periods (up to 3 months) without the need to charge battery banks via connection to mains (mine) power. When on standby the refuge’s external strobe lights and siren will still operate, alerting personnel to the refuge chamber's position.
EXTRA LOW VOLTAGE (ELVP)
The HRM-ELVP range of refuge chambers feature an Extra Low Voltage electrical system to power the chamber’s internal life support systems, including CO / CO2 scrubbing and air conditioning / dehumidifying. Both systems ensure a safe internal environment for occupants over prolonged entrapment durations.
Because of the extra low voltage system, the refuge can be left on ‘stand-by’ for extended periods (up to 3 months) without the need to charge battery banks via connection to mains (mine) power. When on standby the refuge’s external strobe lights and siren will still operate, alerting personnel to the refuge chamber's position.
MEETS AUSTRALIAN GUIDELINES
MineARC HRM refuge chambers comply IN FULL with the West Australian Department of Mining and Petroleum (DMP) industry Guideline: Refuge Chambers in Metalliferous (Hard Rock) Mines, 2009. Since it was first published in 2005, the West Australian DMP Guideline has been adopted not just throughout Australia but around the world; providing the blueprint for ‘industry best-practice’ regarding use of refuge chambers in ‘hard-rock’ mines.
To ensure a successful auditing process and to ensure health and safety standards are at highest level attainable, it is important to ensure all refuge chambers on-site satisfy the requirements of the WA Guideline, or relevant legislation in that particular country/region. Not all refuge chamber manufacturers adopt a ‘best-practice’ approach to their product range.
MINIMUM 36HR SAFE ENTRAPMENT
MineARC electrically powered refuge chambers are designed to run off a mine's 'mains' electrical power supply, powering the refuge chamber’s internal life support systems indefinitely whilst connected.
However, in the event that mains power is lost, the refuge is equipped with its own Battery Back-UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply), housed in a secure compartment at the rear of the refuge. The UPS is capable of powering the refuge chamber’s internal life support systems for a minimum of 36hrs, standalone, as standard. The UPS can be upgraded to 48hrs and 96hrs as required
SCRUBBER CHEMICAL CARTRIDGES
MARCISORB 1000 (CO) and MARCISORB 1500 (CO2) pre-filled chemical cartridges provide proven absorbing capabilities and are easy to handle and install into the scrubbing system. Sealed in a barrier film bag the cartridges will store efficiently for long periods of time without degradation or requiring any maintenance
ULTRA PORTABLE DESIGN
The ELVP range was developed in response to industry’s request for a small, highly portable refuge chamber suitable for tight mining confines (such as single entry headings) where work carries on in front of loaders, boggers, scoops and other heavy units.
Should a vehicle catch fire or a fall of ground occur behind them, personnel at the working face could potentially become cut off from a place of safe refuge. With their compact, ultra-portable design together with the added flexibility of MineARC’s unique Extra Low Voltage life support technology, the HRM-ELVP refuge chamber range is perfectly suited to this type of scenario - providing improved safety levels, and aiding productivity at the working face.
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