Auxiliary fans and tubing; requirements
Sec. 2.5. In the event that auxiliary fans and tubing are used in
lieu of or in conjunction with a line brattice system to provide
ventilation of the working face, the following apply:
(1) The fans shall be of a permissible type, maintained in
permissible condition, so located and operated to avoid any
recirculation of air at any time, and inspected frequently by a
certified person when in use. Fans approved and maintained
under Bureau of Mines Schedule 2G or 2F will meet the
requirements of this section.
(2) In places where auxiliary fans are used, accumulations of
methane resulting from unscheduled stoppage of the main fan
shall be removed after restoration of normal mine ventilation by
conducting the air current into the place with line brattice or the
equivalent. Auxiliary fans shall not be operated in such place
during stoppage of normal mine ventilation until methane
accumulations have been removed.
(3) If the auxiliary fan is stopped or fails, the electrical
equipment in the place shall be stopped and the power
disconnected at the power source until ventilation in the
working place is restored. During such stoppage, the ventilation
shall be through the primary air current conducted into the place
in a manner preventing the accumulation of methane.
(4) In places where auxiliary fans are used, the ventilation
during scheduled idle periods such as weekends and idle shifts
shall be through the primary air current conducted into the place
in a manner preventing the accumulation of methane.
(5) If the air passing through the auxiliary fan or tubing contains
one (1) volume per centum or more of methane, the fan and
other equipment in the working place shall be deenergized and
ventilation improved to reduce the methane content to less than
one (1) per centum.
(6) To insure that an adequate volume and velocity of air is
supplied continuously to the working face where auxiliary fan
and tubing are used for face ventilation, a line brattice or other
approved device shall be installed in accordance with section 4
of this chapter before the auxiliary fan is stopped.
(7) All face ventilation systems using auxiliary fans and tubing
or machine mounted diffusers shall be approved by the director.
As added by P.L.231-1983, SEC.13.
Last modified: May 27, 2006