Yantek D S, Yan L, Damiano N W, Reyes M A, Srednicki J R
CDC NIOSH, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, USA.
Int J Min Sci Technol. 2019 May;29(3):343-355. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2019.01.004.
Since 2009, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has required mines to install refuge alternatives (RAs) in underground coal mines. One of the biggest concerns with occupied RAs is the possible severity of the resulting thermal environment. In 30 CFR 7.504, the maximum allowable apparent temperature (AT) for an occupied RA is specified as 35 °C (95 °F). Manufacturers must conduct heat/humidity tests to demonstrate that their RAs meet the 35 °C (95 °F) AT limit. For these tests, heat input devices are used to input the metabolic heat of actual miners. A wide variety of test methods, sensors, and heat input devices could be used when conducting such tests. Since 2012, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has conducted over thirty 96-hour heat/humidity tests on four different RAs. This paper discusses the test equipment and procedures used during these investigations. This information is useful for RA manufacturers conducting RA heat/humidity tests, for other researchers investigating RA heat/humidity buildup, and for those who need to assess the thermal environment of any confined space where people may be trapped or are seeking refuge.
自2009年以来，美国矿山安全与健康管理局（MSHA）要求煤矿在地下煤矿安装避难场所（RA）。有人占用的避难场所最大的担忧之一是由此产生的热环境可能的严峻程度。在30 CFR 7.504中，有人占用的避难场所的最高允许表观温度（AT）规定为35°C（95°F）。制造商必须进行热/湿度测试，以证明其避难场所符合35°C（95°F）的表观温度限制。对于这些测试，使用热输入设备来输入实际矿工的代谢热。进行此类测试时，可以使用多种测试方法、传感器和热输入设备。自2012年以来，美国国家职业安全与健康研究所（NIOSH）已对四种不同的避难场所进行了三十多次96小时的热/湿度测试。本文讨论了这些调查中使用的测试设备和程序。这些信息对于进行避难场所热/湿度测试的制造商、研究避难场所热/湿度积聚情况的其他研究人员以及那些需要评估人们可能被困或寻求避难的任何密闭空间的热环境的人员都很有用。
