MineARC’s new model is in its ‘Powerless – Portable’ range: The HRM6-PLP (Hard Rock Mine, six-Person, Powerless-Portable). It is a slightly larger variation of the popular HRM4-PLP (four-person model), now deployed in over 25 underground mine sites across Australia. The PLP range was developed in response to industry’s request for a small, highly portable refuge chamber suitable for tight mining confines; such as single entry headings, where work caries on in front of loaders, LHDs and other units. Should a vehicle catch fire or a fall of ground occur behind them, personnel at the working face could potentially become cut off from a place of safe refuge. With their compact, ultra-portable design, together with the added flexibility of MineARC’s unique powerless life support technology, the 4 and 6HRM-PLP are perfectly suited to this type of scenario. Both units offer 36hrs minimum safe entrapment; requiring no electrical power to operate during an emergency. With connection to ‘mains’ (mine) power no longer required, the units can be positioned and then repositioned with ease to virtually any location underground.
MineARC’s powerless scrubbing/cooling technology was first developed for the coal industry, where all equipment must be ‘intrinsically safe’ to avoid the risk of igniting inherent methane gas or coal dust.
HRM6-PLP Specs:
- Six-person occupancy
- Dimensions: 2.37 m (high) x 2.31 m (wide) x 3.1 m (deep) / weighing 2,600 kg
- 5 mm thick steel plate shell with optional reinforced 15PSI blast resistance
- Powerless life support systems (powered by on-board liquid CO2 cylinders for a minimum duration of 36hrs):
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) air scrubbing
- Air conditioning and dehumidifying
- Three separate sources of air (oxygen) supply
- Internal gas monitoring
- Lifting lugs, skid base and forklift slots as standard
- Optional raised skid base and side I.T. bracket (Integrated Transport)
- Complies IN FULL with West Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) refuge chamber 2010 guidelines: Refuge Chambers in Metalifferous Mines.