An analysis of underground coal mine fire incidents in the United States from 1978 through 1992

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:269224

Pomroy, W H; Carigiet, A M ^[1]

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1. Twin Cities Research Center, Minneapolis, MN (United States)

This U.S. Bureau of Mines report is an analysis of underground coal mine fire incidents occurring in the United States during the 15 years from 1978 through 1992. The fire data used in this analysis were obtained from Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) mine fire investigation reports. Fires were analyzed by year, state, coal bed thickness, mining method, evacuation measures taken, ignition source, burning substance, location, equipment involved, detection method, time of day, number of injuries and fatalities, and method of extinguishment. In all, 164 fires are reported, or an average of 10.8 fires per year. The most common ignition source was electricity, the most common burning substance was coal, the most frequent fire location was the belt entry, belt conveyors were the most common equipment involved in fires, and water was the most common extinguishing agent.

• OSTI ID: 269224
• Report Number(s): CONF-9506227--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
COAL MINES
FIRES
INJURIES
SAFETY
UNDERGROUND MINING