NIOSH Mining Safety and Health Research

The Fire Fighting and Prevention Program conducts research and implements findings on the prevention, detection, and suppression of mine fires. Major areas of focus include:

• Ensuring that fire-safe materials are used, that combustibles are properly handled and stored, that mechanical and electrical equipment is properly used and maintained, and that personnel are adequately trained and educated in fire safety practices.
   
• Developing rapid and reliable fire sensing systems and guidelines for selecting and using these systems.
   
• Investigating the effect of ventilation on conveyor belt suppression system effectiveness, and exploring new designs and technologies for suppression systems used on conveyor belt drives in underground coal mines.
   
• Understanding the principles of fire dynamics, the interaction of gaseous or chemical agents with an expanding flame, the role that ventilation plays in fire control and extinguishment, and how different applications can impact these interrelationships.

Our fire science and engineering expertise and our dedicated laboratories - such as the Safety Research Coal Mine and Lake Lynn Fire Galleries - let us perform cutting-edge research.

Our current research is focused on fire hazard reduction in the metal and nonmetal mining sector, smoke management during an underground mine fire to permit miner escape and aid firefighters, reducing the hazards of conveyor belt fires, in response to the Congressionally appointed Belt Air Advisory Panel, and improving technology for the remote installation of seals to control mine fires.