SAFETY
hours to clean and may render a machine
or entire area inoperable for an entire shift.
Steinz explains that if a mine does its own
general breakdown recharges and system
repairs, then they would be responsible for
the clean-ups and recharges and Sandvik
would do the scheduled servicing.
In the event of a serious fire the foam-
based solution has other advantages,
including having a cooling effect which
can prevent reignition. It is also able to
extinguish the fire without hampering
visibility as is the case with powders,
which makes it safer and easier to
evacuate an area in the event of a serious
fire. Furthermore, the foam is not harmful
to the environment, is biodegradable,
non-toxic and is suitable to be used on all
diesel-powered equipment.
“Our client also trusts the failsafe
triggering ability of our devices, which
is kept under pressure and will only
activate in the event of a loss of pressure
caused by special sensor tubes detecting
excessive heat in the presence of fire
or when activated manually. Being
stored under pressure also provides an
additional failsafe when the operator
checks the gauges at the beginning of
each shift.”
Training
Training staff is an essential step in
protecting people and property against
fire, and an appropriate response to fire
can save lives and reduce damage. As
with the rest of a fire protection plan, fire
safety training should be tailored to the
unique requirements of a mine site and
its staff.
“We offer ‘Grey Card’ training, which
empowers the clients to do their own
breakdown repairs and recharges to
minimise their production downtime.
Training consists of classroom theoretical
training as well as practical, hands-on
training,” says Steinz.
In addition, Sandvik offers training to
equipment operators to ensure that they:
• have a basic understanding of how
the system works;
• know what fire system pre-startup
checks to carry out;
• understand what to do in the event of
an on-board fire;
• know what happens when the
system activates automatically;
• can activate the system foam
discharge manually;
• know what happens when the
system is activated manually; and
• are aware of post-fire risks and
recommended procedures.
Fleet safety
In terms of fleet safety it is critical to have fire suppression systems in place to
prevent the loss of a machine and give the operator time to safely exit the machine
and move to safety.
Sandvik ECLIPSE fire suppression foam.
26
AUGUST 2019
Ambatovy’s Mobile Equipment
maintenance manager says that in
terms of fleet safety it is critical to have
fire suppression systems in place to
prevent the loss of a machine and give
the operator time to safely exit the
machine and move to safety. The system
also needs to be flexible enough to be
used on different types of machines and
robust enough to remain functional in
typically tough mining conditions.
Dealing with a company like Sandvik
Mining and Rock Technology also provides
reassurance that systems are properly
configured to cover all risk areas on a
machine and that aftersales service and
qualified support are available to ensure
the systems stay in good condition and
are tested regularly.
While appropriate fire protection
equipment is vital, it is rendered useless
if not in proper working order. Equipment
should be regularly inspected, maintained
and repaired or replaced as necessary.
Equally important is the company’s ability
to provide sufficient parts and spares,
while also being in a position to outfit new
machines as required as was the case
recently when 78 earthmoving machines
were added to Ambatovy’s fleet.
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