Purchasing a MineARC chamber is an investment in ensuring that your crew are safe in the event of a disaster, but simply purchasing a chamber is only the first step in this process. A big part of the chamber installation is the commissioning thereof. In this article we answer some of the frequent questions we get asked about chamber commissioning.
What is included in the commissioning service?
A commissioning involves a detailed inspection of the following areas:
• Visual inspection of the outside of the chamber and all the chamber extremities
• Visual inspection and detailed recording of of all consumables relating to the chamber (e.g., fire extinguisher, chemicals, gas monitors, cylinders, operation manuals etc.)
• Operation and inspection of all interior operational units (e.g., air conditioner, scrubbing unit, controller, sealing and vacuum testing).
Who should make use of commissioning?
All MineARC chambers should be commissioned by a MineARC official, in order to ensure peace of mind that it will operate effectively in an emergency situation.
When does commissioning take place?
Once the chamber has been successfully transported to site and has been positioned in its final resting place. It should also be noted that prior to the commissioning, the chamber should be connected to a mains power supply and have a reliable source of clean, compressed air.
Why can a chamber only be commissioned once it has been positioned in its final resting place?
MineARC insist that a chamber only be commissioned once positioned in its final resting place, as opposed to being commissioned once the chamber arrives on site. One of the reasons for this is simply because unforeseen events such as theft or damages can still occur when moving the chamber to its final location. Secondly, important factors like ground stability and secure connections also need to be checked.
What happens if it isn't done?
During commissioning, any issues or shortcomings with the chamber, will be highlighted. The owners of the chamber will be notified, and the MineARC Service Technician will arrange for the relevant solutions.
Should commissioning not take place, MineARC cannot ensure that the chamber will perform effectively in an emergency.
What happens after the commissioning?
Once the chamber has been commissioned by a MineARC official, a signed copy of the commissioning report is sent to site, as well as MineARC Head Office. Four months after the commissioning has taken place, a chamber service should be scheduled.