U.S. Department of Labor

Mine Safety and Health Administration 1100 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, Virginia 22209-3939

ISSUE DATE: APRIL 3, 2003

PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P03-7

FROM:           MARK E. SKILES  
                       Director of Technical Support

                        RAY McKINNEY  
                        Administrator for
                             Coal Mine Safety and Health

                        ROBERT M. FRIEND  
                        Administrator for
                             Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health

SUBJECT:    Mine Safety Appliances (MSA) Five Star Alarm, Additional Information
                       Related to Public Information Bulletin Number P03-06

Who Needs this information?
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforcement personnel, coal and metal and nonmetal mine operators, miners' representatives and repair shops need this information.

Why is MSHA issuing this bulletin?
MSHA is issuing this bulletin to explain that the MSA Five Star Alarms covered under MSHA Approvals 8C-67-0 and 8C-67-1 may be affected. This bulletin updates the information contained in PIB P03-06 related to the potential inability of the MSA Five Star Alarm to provide accurate methane detection after being dropped or impacted. In addition, when an MSA Five Star is used to detect gases other than methane, but the use does not require an MSHA approved instrument, the instrument should be calibrated before use.

Under what circumstances should use of the MSA Five Star Alarm be discontinued?
The use of MSA Five Star Alarms must be discontinued in all applications where an MSHA approved instrument is required. This includes those applications required under Title 30 Code of Federal Regulations 30 CFR Section 57.22227, Approved testing devices (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines), 30 CFR Section 75.320, Air quality detectors and measurement devices, and 30 CFR Section 77.201-1, Test for Methane; qualified person; use of approved device.

Also, when a MSA Five Star is being used to detect methane but the use does not require an MSHA approved instrument, use of the MSA Five Star Alarm should be discontinued.

Will the ability of the MSA Five Star Alarm to accurately detect gases other than methane be affected?
MSHA approval testing only verifies the ability of the instrument to provide accurate methane detection. We have determined that MSA Five Star Alarms assembled with the non-approved circuit board will not provide accurate methane detection after being dropped or impacted.

The exact effect from dropping or impact on the internal circuitry that results in inaccurate readings for methane has not yet been determined. Until the reason for this failure can be determined, the ability of the instrument to accurately detect other gases after being dropped or impacted is not known. Because MSHA approval testing only verifies the ability of the instrument to provide accurate methane detection, MSHA does not know if the instrument is capable of accurately detecting other gases.

When a MSA Five Star is being used to detect gases other than methane, but the use does not require an MSHA approved instrument, the instrument should be calibrated before use. Contact MSA for further instructions on resolving this issue.

How can an MSA Five Star be returned to service?
Verify that your instrument is assembled with the MSHA Approved "sensor printed circuit board assembly", MSA part number 815477.

Which MSA Five Star Alarms are affected?
Use of the MSA Five Star Alarms approved under MSHA Approvals 8C-67-0 and 8C-67-1 should be discontinued until verification that the instruments are assembled with the MSHA approved circuit board.

Is more information available?
MSHA will continue investigation of this situation and will issue further Bulletins, if necessary. Information will be posted on the MSHA homepage (www.MSHA.gov) in the equipment hazard alert section.

Who can I contact at MSA?
Please Contact: MSA Customer Service at 1-800-MSA-2222

Who are the contact persons for this bulletin?
Technical Support, Approval and Certification Center
Bill Beasley, (304) 547-2050
E-mail: beasley-william@msha.gov

Coal Mine Safety and Health
Terry Bentley, Acting Chief, Safety Division, (202) 693-9521
E-mail: bentley-terry@msha.gov

Metal and Nonmetal Safety and Health
Thomas Loyd, Chief Safety Division, (202) 693-9645
E-mail: loyd-thomas@msha.gov

Is this information bulletin on the Internet?
This Program Information Bulletin may be viewed on the World Wide Web by accessing the MSHA Home Page (http://www.msha.gov) and then choosing Statutory and Regulatory Information/Compliance Assistance/Program Information Bulletins.

What is the authority for this Bulletin?
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 30, Part 22

Who will receive this bulletin?
Program Policy Manual Holders
Miners' Representatives
Underground Mine Operators
Other Mine Operators required to perform gas checks
Repair Shop Facilities
Special Interest Groups