NIOSH Mining Facility

Dust explosion venting from the large vertical gallery; 12-m drop tower can be seen in the background

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The Explosives Testing Site located in the upper quarry section of the Lake Lynn Laboratory occupies approximately 50,000 ft2 of gently sloping quarry bottom and is separated from the Mine Fire Preparedness Facility by a 50-ft high earthen berm which provides protection during the testing of explosives. This explosives area contains a 1,000 ft3 horizontal gallery and two vertical galleries, several specially constructed bunkers, a 25-ft-high, 15-ft-wide steel retaining wall, a 12-m drop tower with electric winch and lift magnet, and concrete burn pads. Natural gas, power, and instrument lines are installed to several of these test facilities. Video cable is also installed to this area to permit viewing of the explosive tests from a safe vantage point or from within the Main Office building. An instrumentation control shed is located on the other side of the earthen berm.

Site:  Lake Lynn Laboratory

Laboratories:  Lake Lynn Cannon Gallery