Ventilation

• Pages: 6-17

2.

Ventilation

2.1.

General principles

2.1.1.

(1) Full consideration should be given to problems of

ventilation that may arise during the life of a mine.

(2) Adequate provision should be made at the planning stage

for all foreseeable conditions that may be encountered, bearing in

mind that all coal mines are potentially gassy.

2.1.2. The ventilation of any mine or part of a mine should

be such that in the normal course of events the system possesses

adequate reserves for exceptional requirements.

2.1.3.

(1) Under the responsibility of the mine manager, a

single authorised person should take charge of the ventilation of

a mine.

(2) If the workings of two or more mines are unavoidably

connected and thus have part of their ventilation circuit in com-

mon, this arrangement should be subject to the approval of the

competent authority, and one authorised person should be de-

signated as being responsible for the ventilation of both or all the

mines in so far as the joint circuits are concerned.

2.1.4. Where two or more mines are interconnected but main-

tain separate ventilation systems, a positive and effective means

of separation should be provided, making use of fireproof and

explosion-proof doors or stoppings.

2.1.5.

(1) When planning the method of working of a mine,

it should be divided into independent ventilating districts in order

to limit the consequences of an explosion or a fire.

(2) Each district should have an independent intake com-

mencing from a main intake air course and an independent return

airway terminating at a main return air course.

(3) A figure should be set for the maximum number of per-

sons normally permitted to be in each independent ventilating

6