Minimising risk for and reducing impact of fire and explosion hazards in underground coal mining (Minfirex) : final report

Fires and explosions are still major causes of injuries, and even fatalities, in underground coal mining, although the safety in European coal mines has reached a fairly high standard. But operation downtimes and production losses are also caused by fires and thus the competitiveness of coal mining companies is affected. Minfirex aimed at minimising the risks of fires and explosions by developing strategies to prevent fires and explosions, innovative detection measures and firefighting methods, especially for hidden fires, as well as by developing an innovative active extinguishing system to ensure the effective protection against the propagation of fires or explosions. Minfirex research work focused on minimising the risk of the development of fires and explosions and minimising the consequences of fires and explosions if they occur. In particular, the main objectives of the project work were: • to develop strategies to prevent fires and explosions; • to develop innovative detection measures for fires and other dangerous atmospheres; • to develop firefighting methods for hidden fires, in particular; • to develop an innovative active extinguishing system to ensure effective protection against the propagation of fires or explosions. The project has been concluded successfully. Almost all the objectives were achieved.