- The following precautions shall be taken against the danger of spontaneous heating:-(1)The seam or section shall be worked in panels having independent ventilation in such a manner that it is possible to isolate one from another easily when necessary.(2)Where the seam or section has already been developed without complying with the provisions of sub-regulation (1), artificial panels shall be created by construction of stoppings.(3)In determining the size of the panel under sub-regulations (1) and (2), due consideration shall be given to enabling complete extraction of the pillars therein, within the incubation period of the coal seam.(4)No coal, shale or other carbonaceous material shall be left or stacked belowground.(5)Where removal of fallen coal from the mine is not practicable, the area shall be effectively sealed off.(6)Except where otherwise permitted by the Chief Inspector by an order in writing and subject to such conditions as he may specify therein, no extraction of pillars in any seam or section shall be commenced until fire dams or stoppings have been provided in all entrance to the pane.(7)In the fire dams or stoppings built in entrances which are to be kept open for ventilation or haulage, suitable doors or openings may be left and bricks and other suitable materials shall be kept readily available there in the vicinity.(8)Shale or other carbonaceous material shall not be used in the construction of fire dams or stoppings.(9)A panel shall be isolated by adequate stoppings as soon as it has been goaved out.(10)All the isolation stoppings erected to seal off the goaves or to isolate old, abandoned or disused working or to isolate area affected by fire or spontaneous heating shall be plastered or painted with fire resistant sealant materials and chemicals which shall be of a type and standard approved by the Chief Inspector.(11)Sufficient material for dealing with fire shall be kept ready at suitable places below ground for transport and use and sufficient number of persons shall be trained in the use of such material.(12)In order to detect spontaneous heating in early stages, the air in the return airway of every depillaring district and of every goaf which has not been isolated, shall be -(a)tested for percentage of carbon monoxide once at least in every seven days with an automatic detector of a type approved by the Chief Inspector; and(b)completely analysed once at least in every 30 days with a view to determining the ratio CO-formed/O2-absorbed.and the result of every such tests shall be recorded in a bound paged book kept for the purpose duly signed and dated by the person carrying out the test:Provided that if successive tests show any steady increase in the CO-formed/O2 absorbed ratio, suitable measures shall be taken to determine the site of the heating and to deal with it.(13)Every depillaring district shall be inspected on every idle day and a report of every such inspection shall be recorded in a bound paged book kept for the purpose, duly signed and dated by the person making the inspection.(14)All unused working including unused working which have not been sealed off and isolation stoppings built around goaved out area shall be inspected once at least in every seven days, by a competent person for any fire risks, and a report of every such inspection shall be recorded in a bound paged book kept for the purpose, duly signed and dated by the person making the inspection.(15)Where at any mine or part, special conditions exist which make compliance with any of the provisions of this regulation not necessary or reasonably practicable, the Regional Inspector may, by an order in writing and subject to such conditions as he may specify therein, grant a relaxation from the provision.(16)Where coal is stacked on surface, suitable arrangement shall be made for spraying of water or any other fire resistant or suppressant materials on the coal stack at regular interval so as to prevent spontaneous heating.(17)Hydraulic fluid which is not fire resistant shall not be used belowground.(18)Precaution shall be taken to minimize the possibility of hydraulic fluids or oils coming in contact with hot surface, electrical apparatus or cables.(19)Combustible oils or material shall not be used for filling in electrical equipment.(20)Notwithstanding any thing contained in the sub-regulations (17), (18) & (19), the Regional Inspector may by an order in writing, exempt from use of fire resistant hydraulic fluid in degree-I gassy mine subject to such conditions as he may specify therein.
