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ISSUE DATE: September 30, 2004 PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P04-22 FROM: MARK E. SKILES  Director of Technical Support for RAY McKINNEY K. Murray Administrator for Coal Mine Safety and Health for ROBERT M. FRIEND  Administrator for Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health SUBJECT: New Voluntary Program to Evaluate Fire Suppression Agents, Devices and Systems Who should know about this new program? Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforcement personnel, equipment manufacturers, underground mine operators, and miners' representatives should know about the program. Why is MSHA issuing this bulletin? MSHA has established a new program called the Voluntary Fire Suppression Suitability Program. The program is applicable to fire suppression agents, devices, and systems, and is designed to consolidate requests to evaluate "new or novel" fire suppression agents, devices, or systems through MSHA's Approval and Certification Center (A&CC). "New or novel" fire fighting agents would be those products that have been recently introduced into the market place and would not include the well known "traditional" agents such as water; dry chemicals such as monoammonium phosphate (ABC classified multipurpose dry chemical); or aqueous foams such as protein, flouroprotein, AFFF, FFFP, and medium or high expansion types. The new agents may be unique wetting or heat extracting agents or agents that are considered environmentally friendly such as replacements for Halon 1301, Halon 1211, or other fluorocarbon products. "New or novel" devices and systems may contain a combination of both liquid and dry fire suppression agents. For example, they may be operated manually or automatically and are not "conventional" fire extinguishers. What will this program do? The Voluntary Fire Suppression Suitability Program will enhance the safety of miners in the following ways:
Manufacturers of "new or novel" fire suppression agents, devices, and systems are encouraged to participate. What are the benefits of participating? For the initial program, manufacturers of "new or novel" fire suppression agents will be able to have their product evaluated to determine suitability for use in mining operations. Subsequently, manufacturers of fire suppression devices and systems will be able to have their product evaluated to determine suitability for use in mining operations. Manufacturers would have a central location for guidance and evaluation. Products that are found to be suitable for mine use may be advertised by a manufacturer as such. What are the details of the program? The initial program will cover "new and novel" fire fighting agents. An application procedure is available on MSHA's home page at www.msha.gov under Technical Assistance, Product Approval. The application procedure may also be obtained by calling one of the contact persons referenced in this Program Bulletin. The program is voluntary and a fee is charged for testing the products for suitability. The fire suppression agent for evaluation must be "new or novel." The manufacturer would need to submit an application containing certain technical, test, and user information. How will manufacturers or interested parties know if a "new or novel" fire fighting agent is suitable for mine use? A&CC will maintain a list of suitable "new or novel" fire suppression agents. The list will be posted and periodically updated on MSHA's home page at www.msha.gov under Technical Assistance, Approved Products. A copy of the list may also be obtained by calling one of the contact persons. What is the authority for this program? The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended; 30 C.F.R §§ 75.1107-13; 77.1108-1(b)(1) and (2); 77.1109(e); 56.4200(b)(1); 56.4600(a)(1)and (2); 57.4230(c); 57.4260(c); 57.4263; and 57.4600(a)(1) and (2). Who should I contact if I want to participate? Technical Support, Approval and Certification Center: Harry Verakis, (304) 547-2082 Verakis.harry@dol.gov Derrick Tjernlund, (304) 547-2301 Tjernlund.derrick@dol.gov Michael Hockenberry, (304) 547-2075 Hockenberry.michael@dol.gov Is this information bulletin available on the internet? Yes, you may access it through MSHA's home page (www.msha.gov) and choosing "Compliance Info" and "Program Information Bulletins." Who will receive this bulletin? Program Policy Manual Holders Underground Mine Operators Surface Mine Operators Miners' Representatives Mining Product Manufacturers  |
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