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 offer a range to comply with the British Standard (BS EN 16191:2004) Safety Requirements for Tunnelling Machinery.
Our extensive range of TunnelSAFE Refuge Chambers offers 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 the development of our range of System Intelligence products, including site-wide remote diagnostics, real-time gas monitoring and tracking, a tunnelling project can benefit from 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 System Intelligence product suite; designed to provide real-time refuge chamber monitoring, communication and system diagnostics. With vital data fed directly to MineARC's unique 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 Solutions 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
Service Plan Improves Safety and Sanitation on Site
Papua New Guinea Mine improves on-site safety and hygiene with a proactive service plan
and equipment upgrade.
Repurposing a Refuge Chamber for Staff Training
Lundin Mining improved their safety education program by repurposing an out-of-operation safe refuge to provide on-site training.
Impact of Technology on Personal Safety, Efficiency and Emergency Response
So, how will safety change as the industry dives into its tech-fuelled future? While we cannot predict where we will be in the long-term future, let’s look at how it may have an impact.