April 2002

Recently a miner was seriously burned when the equipment he was operating caught fire. The operator hit the manual fire suppression actuator, but did not pull the pin. Thus, it did not actuate. There was no fire extinguisher in the cab and the operator was burned when he tried to get out by the normal egress route. He finally managed to get out on the opposite side.
The following suggestions may help avoid this situation:
␣␣ Training on fire suppression systems should be given to operators of trucks, bulldozers and other enclosed cab vehicles. A manual fire suppression actuator should be used as a training tool in this effort, if it is utilized. Special emphasis should be placed on activating the system in realistic conditions.
␣␣ All fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems including alarms, shutdowns and other associated equipment need to be thoroughly examined and periodically checked for proper operation by competent personnel in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended schedule. Any defective equipment needs to be repaired, replaced, and the system retested for proper operation. The manufacturer should be asked for their recommended maintenance schedules.
␣␣ A small fire extinguisher commensurate with the level of hazard should be located in the cab of all vehicles to be readily accessible to the operator. The fire extinguisher should be a Type ABC.
Proper training and maintenance of fire suppression systems can reduce injuries and fatalities.

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MSHA information on fire suppression systems

Fire extinguishers are your first line of defense in the event of a fire.  All State Fire now provides training for your personnel that will focus on your fire extinguishers and your fire suppression systems.  Call Yvonne Damon to schedule 972-412-0770.

MSHA has deemed that 2.5# fire extinguishers are not longer adequate for mining facilities.Regulatory History

The definition for multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher in subpart A of existing 30 CFR 56/57.2 states–

Multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher means a listed or approved multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher having a minimum rating of 2-A:10-B:C, by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., and containing a minimum of 4.5 pounds of dry-chemical agent.

In 1985, MSHA promulgated a final rule [50 FR 4022] revising its “Fire Prevention and Control” standards for metal and nonmetal mines in subpart C of 30 CFR parts 56 and 57. The definition for multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher in final Sec. Sec. 56/57.4000 states–

An extinguisher having a rating of at least 2-A:10-B:C and containing a nominal 4.5 pounds or more of dry-chemical agent.

In 1991, MSHA promulgated a final rule [56 FR 46508] revising its “Explosives” standards for metal and nonmetal mines in subpart E of 30 CFR parts 56 and 57. The definition for multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher in final Sec. Sec. 56/57.6000 of “Subpart E– Explosives” is identical to that contained in Sec. Sec. 56/57.4000 of “Subpart C–Fire Prevention and Control.”

With the publication of the final rules for “Subpart C–Fire Prevention and Control” and “Subpart E–Explosives,” the definition for multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher in subpart A became irrelevant because this term is used only in subparts C and E.

Discussion of Changes

The definition for multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher in subpart A (Sec. Sec. 56/57.2) differs from the one

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MSHA – Technical Amendments [05/30/2003] – [FR Doc. 03-1...    http://www.msha.gov/REGS/FEDREG/TECHAMEND/2003/0...

in subpart C (Sec. Sec. 56/57.4000) and subpart E (Sec. Sec. 56/57.6000) in two ways. First, the definition in subpart A uses the word ``minimum'' instead of ``nominal'' in characterizing the amount of dry-chemical agent required. The preamble to the final rule for ``Subpart C--Fire Prevention and Control,'' however, states that--

* * * Because fire equipment manufacturers designate the weight of dry-chemical agent in an extinguisher by ``nominal'' weight rather than by ``minimum'' weight, the final rule uses the term ``nominal'' and clarifies that the nominal weight must be 4.5 pounds or more.

Second, the definition in subpart A specifies that the multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher be ``listed or approved * * * by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.'' The preamble to the final rule for ``Subpart C--Fire Prevention and Control,'' however, states that--

The final rule defines multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguishers as those meeting at least the nationally recognized criteria for extinguishers with a 2-A:10-B:C rating. * * * Approval organizations, such as the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. and Factory Mutual Research Corporation test and list fire extinguishers meeting this rating.

Although the more recent definition in subparts C and E differs slightly from subpart A, the intent of the definition remains the same. This disparity, however, has created confusion for some fire extinguisher manufacturers and mine inspectors.

To eliminate any confusion and redundancy, this technical amendment (1) replaces the outdated and unnecessary definition for multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher in subpart A of 30 CFR parts 56 and 57 with the most current definition from subparts C and E of these parts; and (2) removes the redundant definitions of multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher from subparts C and E.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Parts 56 and 57

Fire prevention, Mine safety and health.

Dated: May 16, 2003. John R. Correll, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health.

For the reasons set out in the preamble, and under the authority of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, MSHA is amending chapter I, parts 56 and 57 of title 30 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

PART 56--[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for part 56 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 30 U.S.C. 811.

2. Section 56.2 is amended by revising the definition for Multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher to read as follows:

Sec. 56.2 Definitions.

***** Multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher means an extinguisher having a rating of at least 2-A:10-B:C and

containing a nominal 4.5 pounds or more of dry-chemical agent. 3. Section 56.4000 is amended by removing the definition for Multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher.

4. Section 56.6000 is amended by removing the definition for Multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher.

PART 57–[AMENDED]

5. The authority citation for part 57 continues to read as follows:

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Authority: 30 U.S.C. 811.

6. Section 57.2 is amended by revising the definition for Multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher to read as follows:

Sec. 57.2 Definitions.

***** Multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher means an extinguisher having a rating of at least 2-A:10-B:C and

containing a nominal 4.5 pounds or more of dry-chemical agent. *****

7. Section 57.4000 is amended by removing the definition for Multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher.

8. Section 57.6000 is amended by removing the definition for Multipurpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher.

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No more small extinguishers

MSHA -  Two fire extinguishers for fuel trucks.

Fuel Truck Fire
A fuel truck recently caught fire at a District 8 surface mine. While fueling a DML 60 Ingersoll-Rand overburden drill, the drill operator observed flames coming from the rear of the fuel truck. Due to the flames, the operator was unable to reach the fire extinguisher mounted on the rear of the fuel truck. He then retrieved a fire extinguisher from the drill, but he was unable to extinguish the fire. After notifying the pit foreman of the fire, the drill operator moved the drill to a safe location. The foreman summoned two local fire departments. Then he and other miners tried to extinguish the fire with portable dry-chemical fire extinguishers, but they were unable to bring the fire under control. After approximately twenty minutes from the discovery of the fire, the fire companies arrived and applied water and foam. This was not effective in controlling the fire. The pit foreman evacuated the area and the fire was allowed to self-extinguish. After approximately fifty minutes from its initial discovery, the fire ceased to burn. No injuries were sustained in the incident, but the fuel truck suffered extensive damage. Examination of the fuel truck revealed the tank had ruptured at a seam at the front of the tank. The high pressure built up during the fire may have caused this rupture.
BEST PRACTICES
Fuel trucks should be provided with at least two readily accessible large fire extinguishers mounted on opposite ends.
Extensive fire fighting efforts should not be continued when the fire area includes a fuel tank. An explosion may occur due to expansive vapors in the tank. The area should be vacated and the fire allowed to self-extinguish.
Fuel trucks should be equipped with automatic fire
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District 8 – Fuel Truck Fire    http://www.msha.gov/District/Dist_08/fuelfire.htm
suppression system.

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Fuel trucks

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