| U.S. Department of
Labor |
Mine Safety and Health Administration 201 12th Street South, Suite 401 Arlington, VA 22202-5450 |  |
ISSUE DATE: July 17, 2009
LAST VALIDATED: 03/31/2021
PROGRAM INFORMATION BULLETIN NO. P09-14
FROM: KEVIN G. STRICKLIN
Administrator for
Coal Mine Safety and Health
SUBJECT: Re-Issue P06-01 - Compliance with the Testing and Maintenance
Requirements of 30 C.F.R. 75.1911(i), Fire Suppression Systems
for Diesel-Powered Equipment and Fuel Transportation Units.
Scope
This Program Information Bulletin (PIB) affects underground coal mine operators, miners and miners' representatives, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforcement personnel, and other interested parties should have this information.
Purpose
The purpose of this bulletin is to clarify the basic requirement for underground coal mine operators to test and maintain each fire suppression system installed on diesel-powered equipment and fuel transportation units in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations as required in 30 C.F.R. § 75.1911(i). The PIB also is intended to promote consistent enforcement of § 75.1911(i).
Information
MSHA's section 30 C.F.R. 75.1911 addresses the requirements for installation of fire suppression systems on diesel-powered equipment and fuel transportation units. Section 75.1911(i) reads:
- "Each fire suppression system shall be tested and maintained in
accordance with the manufacturer's recommended inspection and
maintenance program and as required by the nationally recognized
independent testing laboratory listing or approval, and be visually
inspected at least once each week by a person trained to make such inspections."
As stated in the preamble discussion to § 75.1911(i), "a person trained to perform the inspection and maintenance on fire suppression systems as required under § 75.1911(i) is not required to be a person qualified under § 75.1915. However, the person performing tests and inspections of fire suppression systems must have sufficient knowledge to determine whether a fire suppression system is functioning properly." 61 FR 55477. "The weekly visual inspection in § 75.1911(i) is not intended to be an in-depth inspection, but a quick check to determine if defects, such as disconnected hose lines or altered nozzles, are readily apparent." 61 FR 55477.
It is the responsibility of underground coal mine operators to ensure that fire suppression systems installed on diesel-powered equipment are in compliance with § 75.1911(i). The decision as to whom will perform the mandated inspection and maintenance on such equipment is within the mine operator's discretion.
Background
A provision within a fire suppression system manufacturer's recommendations restricts and limits the inspection and maintenance of the system to the manufacturer's personnel, authorized distributor personnel, or persons designated by the manufacturer or authorized distributor. However, it appears that neither the manufacturer nor the authorized distributors provide training or designate mine operator's employees to perform the inspections and maintenance of the system. As a result, questions have been raised concerning the interpretation and enforcement of the inspection and maintenance requirements of § 75.1911(i). This bulletin clarifies the compliance responsibilities of underground coal mine operators with § 75.1911(i).
Authority
Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977; 30 C.F.R. Part 75 Subpart T - Diesel Powered Equipment
Issuing Office and Contact Persons
Mine Safety and Health Enforcement, Safety Division
Don Vickers, (202) 693-9760
E-mail: Vickers.Donald@dol.gov
Internet Availability
This Program Information Bulletin may be viewed on the World Wide Web by accessing the MSHA Home Page www.msha.gov and then choosing "Compliance Info."
Distribution
Coal and All Volume Program Policy Manual Holders
Underground Coal Mine Operators
Miners' Representatives
Special Interest Groups
Equipment Manufacturers
