Subchapter 17. Mine Safety Orders
Article 22. Fire Prevention and Control

§7063. (4-22). Fire Fighting Equipment.

(a) One or more fire extinguishers of a type suitable for use underground shall be provided at all locations where electrical equipment is in service in the mine.

Carbon tetrachloride fire extinguishers shall not be permitted in a mine because of danger to men who may breathe the vapor.

(b) Where a fire hazard exists near an underground magazine or an explosives distributing station, fire extinguishers or water hydrants and hose shall be provided for use in fighting fire outside the magazine. They shall not be used on burning explosives nor in fighting a fire in a magazine.

(c) Fire extinguishers of a type suitable for use on oil fires shall be at every storage place for oil or grease in the mine.

(d) Every mine with a fire hazard as outlined below shall be protected against fire in accordance with the provisions of subsection (e) of this section:

(1) Mines in which the main working shaft is timbered and such timber is not protected against fire by being made fire resistant or by being constantly wet.

(2) Mines in which stations are in a combustible condition.

(3) Mines with workings considered by the Division to constitute a local fire hazard of more than normal proportions.

(e) Mines required by subsection (d) of this section to be protected against fire shall be provided with water and equipment for fighting fires as follows:

(1) A supply of water so distributed that a stream of water can be made readily available at any mine station at which a fire hazard exists and throughout all combustible portions of the shaft. "Readily available" means that all necessary piping, valves, and hose connections must be in place and a supply of hose sufficient for the need kept conveniently near such hose connections. Attention is called to the advisability of having connections for hose so placed that a stream of water can be directed upon any station from above and below the station in the event of a fire at the station.

(2) Hose shall be kept at the mine entrances, on each working level, and at such other places as may be required by the Division.

(3) The threads and couplings for hose for fighting fire shall be of standard sizes so that hose coupling of a given size may be readily connected to a pipe coupling of like size.

(4) Fire pails and a 50-gallon drum or tank of water shall be located in every section of the mine where timber is framed and where other fire fighting equipment is not available.

(5) Where the water supply is inadequate or cannot be practicably applied, special fire fighting equipment and protection may be required by the Division.

(6) All equipment intended solely for fire fighting purposes shall be tested or carefully inspected at monthly intervals and defective equipment repaired or replaced immediately. All hand chemical fire extinguishers of the soda-acid type shall be discharged, inspected, and refilled every 12 months, and the date of last refilling marked on a tag attached to the extinguisher. Special care must be taken to keep the nozzles of chemical fire extinguishers free from corrosion. See Subchapter 3, Title 19, CAC for additional servicing requirements.

(7) Special provision shall be made to protect fire extinguishers whose effectiveness is destroyed by cold.

(8) The location of each fire extinguisher shall be marked conspicuously so that it may be easily found in an emergency.