162. Brattices, doors, stoppings and air-crossings.
(1)There shall be provided and maintained in every mine, such number of air-crossings, stoppings, doors and other devices as may be adequate to ensure compliance with the provision of regulation 156 and in case of any doubt as to the adequacy of such ventilation devices, it shall be referred to the Chief Inspector for decision.(2)The space between the frame of every ventilation door and the roof and sides of the roadway shall be built up with masonry or concrete; not less than 25 centimetres in thickness.(3)Every ventilation door shall be self-closing and whenever opened, it shall be closed as soon as possible, and shall not be propped or fixed so as to remain open.(4)If the ventilation door is required to be frequently kept open for the passage of men or material, there shall be, throughout every working shift, a door attendant at the door.(5)If a door is not in use, it shall be taken off its hinges and placed in such a position that it shall not cause any obstruction to the air current.(6)Every stopping between the main intake and main return airways shall be constructed of masonry or brickwork or of concrete without reinforcement, not less than 25 centimetres in thickness, and if constructed of properly reinforced concrete, of 15 centimeter thickness or such greater thickness as may be required by the Regional Inspector, and shall be faced with a sufficient thickness of lime or cement plaster to prevent leakage of air.(7)In case of mine having problems of fires or spontaneous heating along with the working of coal seam(s) of degree two or degree three gassiness, the Chief Inspector may by an order in writing and subject to such conditions as he may specify therein, require construction of explosion proof ventilation stoppings between the main intake and the main return airways and at such other places which he may specify.(8)Every stopping in use shall be kept accessible for inspection.(9)The partitions and walls of every air-crossing shall be not less than 25 centimetres in thickness if constructed of masonry or of concrete not properly reinforced, and not less than 15 centimeters in thickness if constructed of properly reinforced concrete.(10)Every air-crossing, ventilation stopping, poor or brattice shall be maintained in efficient working order and good repair.(11)A competent person shall, once at least in every 14 days, examine every airway, air crossing, ventilation stopping and door in use, and shall record the result thereof in a bound paged book kept for the purpose, and shall sign the same and date his signature.
