In consultation with the world’s leading mining companies and regional mining authorities, the MineSAFE Standard Design Refuge Chamber for underground mines has been continuously re-engineered and refined to create a world-leading hard rock refuge station solution that is fully integrated with today’s modern mining environment.
The Standard Design (SD) chamber provides personnel with optimum safety features, functionality and performance, and complies with internationally recognised refuge chamber guidelines.
As the leading global refuge station manufacturer, MineARC has designed the MineSAFE Standard Design to provide a high level of durability and manoeuvrability, both above and below ground.
Helping safeguard miners in 68 countries, across six continents, the MineSAFE Standard Design is the world’s most trusted emergency refuge chamber in metal (hard rock) and non-metal mines.
Standard configurations are available based on occupancy – from 8 to 30 people – however it’s dimensions and rated occupancy can be custom-engineered to site specifications, without compromising on safety or performance. Special transport configurations include narrow builds specifically tailored for shaft mines, or modular builds, allowing a complete refuge station to be split into smaller sections before being transported and then reassembled underground.
| Model | Occupancy | Height (m/inch) | Width (m/inch) | Length (m/inch) | Weight (kg/lb) |
| MS-SD1-08-SIV-36 | 8-Person | 2.21 / 87″ | 2.25 / 89″ | 3.89 / 153″ | 4300 / 9400 |
| MS-SD2-012-SIV-36 | 12-Person | 2.21 / 87″ | 2.25 / 89″ | 4.80 / 189″ | 4700 / 10200 |
| MS-SD3-16-SIV-36 | 16-Person | 2.21 / 87″ | 2.25 / 89″ | 6.02 / 237″ | 5400 / 11900 |
| MS-SD4-20-SIV-36 | 20-Person | 2.21 / 87″ | 2.25 / 89″ | 7.23 / 285″ | 6000 / 13200 |
| MS-SD5-26-SIV-36 | 26-Person | 2.21 / 87″ | 2.25 / 89″ | 8.44 / 332″ | 8400 / 18500 |
| MS-SD6-30-SIV-36 | 30-Person | 2.21 / 87″ | 2.25 / 89″ | 9.64 / 380″ | 8600 / 19000 |
The ‘face’ of the MineSAFE Standard Design is designed primarily for easy identification and quick access during an emergency. The strobe lighting, warning siren and reflective signage alert passers-by to the chamber’s location, whilst the rotating door handles provide simple, straight forward access to the safety of the interior.
Inside a MineSAFE Standard Design Refuge Chamber, a number of vital life-support systems combine to create a safe, ongoing environment for occupants. Systems include; primary and secondary air (oxygen) supplies, air conditioning systems, positive pressure systems, electrical systems, gas detection and a chemical scrubbing system.
The MineSAFE Standard Design uses MineARC’s unique voice activated Series IV electrical scrubbing system in conjunction with MARCISORB chemicals to ‘scrub’ the build up of harmful CO2 (carbon dioxide) and CO (carbon monoxide) from the air inside the refuge chamber.
A secure cabinet at the rear of the MineSAFE Standard Design houses the refuge chamber’s UPS battery back up (Uninterruptible Power Supply). The UPS is a fail-safe system that can power the refuge chamber’s internal life support systems for a minimum of 36hrs, should mine power become cut-off.
Also at the rear of the chamber is the Compressed Air Management System (CAMS), which allows regulated compressed air into the refuge chamber when the pressure inside drops below 200Pa. This process optimises mine air usage and guarantees against over-pressurisation of the refuge chamber.
CAMS’ gas toxicity monitor automatically diverts compressed air if oxygen levels in the airline fall below a set level (18% oxygen in free air), signifying air contamination. Additionally, the incorporated flood protection valve automatically shuts down compressed air to avoid catastrophic and costly chamber damage in the event of water ingress.
| Name | Capacity * | Advanced Digital Control System ** | iVAN *** | Aura-FX Gas monitoring | Modular construction | Powerless Portable System **** | Air-conditioning | 36hrs Battery Backup | 5psi Blast Rating ***** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
8-30 | ||||||||
 |
4-8 | ||||||||
 |
8-30 | ||||||||
 |
8-26 | ||||||||
 |
12-32 | ||||||||
 |
30-500 |
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