TunnelSAFE Refuge Chambers
Refuge Chambers for the Tunnelling Industry Underground Construction
MineARC specialises in the manufacture and supply of refuge chambers for the tunnelling industry to civil engineering companies and tunnelling contractors.
As members of the International Tunnelling Association, we have engineered a series of refuge chambers that fully comply with the ITA 'Guidelines for the Provision of Refuge Chambers in Tunnels Under Construction'. We also have the capacity to build tunnel-specific refuge chambers which comply with the European Standard (EN 16191:2014) Safety Requirements for Tunnelling Machinery and British Standard (BS 6164:2011) Code of Practice for Health and Safety in Tunnelling in the Construction Industry.
Our extensive range of TunnelSAFE Refuge Chambers offer a solution for every application and requirement; from Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) gantry-mounted designs, to mobile rail models, to transportable drill and blast units. With a suite of complementary safety products and our state-of-the-art GuardIAN Intelligence range, MineARC can provide any tunnelling project a fully integrated emergency response solution.
Refuge Chambers for the Tunnelling Industry
Emergency refuge forms an integral part of a tunnelling project’s wider Emergency Response Plan (ERP). Fires, fall of ground, and the release of smoke and other forms of toxic gas are the types of incidents that can occur all too frequently, despite the high levels of planning and safety precautions in place. In these types of emergencies, where personnel become trapped without adequate ventilation and evacuation is no longer safe or practical, emergency refuge chambers are designed to provide a secure ‘go-to’ area for personnel to gather and await extraction.
TunnelSAFE Refuge Chambers are designed for various applications; including a TBM mounted 'Gantry Design', the highly mobile Rail and MSV Designs and a range of highly portable Drill and Blast Chambers that can be repositioned with ease. TunnelSAFE Chambers come in all shapes and sizes; such as 'Crescent' or 'Micro' designs for projects with space constraints on the gantry.
MineARC's tunnelling chambers can be fitted with remote monitoring systems or a client's own control system, as well as to custom specifications depending on requirements.
Winner of the 2015 ITA Tunelling Awards
Winner of the 2013 ITA Tunnelling Awards
Bureau Veritas ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems certified
BSI (British Standard) BS 6164:2011 Health and Safety in Tunnelling
Australian C-Tick Standards: AS4100-1998, AS3570.1-18, AS2208, AS3000, AS1716-15
United States National Electrical Code (NEC) 2013/14
European CE Certified to Machinery Norms
Refuge Chamber Intelligence - Remote Monitoring & Diagnostics
MineARC provides peace of mind to clients with our GuardIAN Intelligence product suite; designed to provide real-time refuge chamber monitoring, communication and system diagnostics. With vital data fed directly to the GuardIAN online interface, sites can manage their chamber fleet's operating systems remotely; receiving immediate fault alerts and enabling communication during emergency use..
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Waste Management for the TBM Gantry
MineARC's award winning EnviroLAV Waste Management System can be easily positioned at the rear of the TBM gantry, allowing for quick and simple installation and service on site.
The Compact model EnviroLAV features a small footprint of less than 1.5m2; an ideal size for the tight confines of the TBM where space is a limiting factor. Removable steps allow for further maximisation of space.
The EnviroLAV's unique waste breakdown process reduces emptying requirements to just once per year based on standard usage and environmental conditions; providing significant cost savings throughout the life of the tunnelling project.
Tunnelling Industry News
Will a Refuge Chamber Let Gases Inside? How Does a Refuge Chamber Remain Airtight?
A refuge chamber has two critical systems that work together to prevent gases getting inside and support an airtight environment…
Digital Gas Monitoring For Underground Environments
Environmental monitoring is a critical aspect of underground safety; technology has evolved to developed integrated digital gas monitoring for underground worksites to include in-chamber and site-wide fixed gas monitoring and handheld devices.
Externally Supported Mode: Understanding Refuge Chambers
During daily activities or emergencies, refuge chambers can operate in an externally mode. This state occurs when a refuge station is active and remains connected to primary utilities.