How to Select the Right Fire Door for Your Mining Operation

In mining operations, heavy machinery is used. Additionally, lots of combustible gases and elements are found in mines. In such situations, even a small spark can cause fire hazards. It is one of the most serious threats workers face in an underground mine. This is why installing fire doors in mines is a very crucial factor. However, you have to ensure that you are choosing the right fire door. This is not as simple as it seems.

4 Tips to Choose a Fire Door For your Mining Operation

1. Check the Fire Door Standard

Mining companies in Canada must meet federal and provincial fire safety requirements. Your fire doors should comply with mine safety compliance regulations, like CAN/ULC-S104 for fire door assemblies. These standards ensure that your doors can withstand high heat and pressure for a defined period. Also, it will be able to contain flames long enough for evacuation. Therefore, whenever you are buying fire doors for underground mines, always check that they meet all the safety regulations by the government.

2. Match Fire Rating to Your Risk Zones

All mining fire doors are not the same. Different types have different features and are meant for different places. You will have to choose the correct fire door for the specific areas because not every area in a mine needs the same fire protection. This can be done by checking the fire rating provided by the manufacturer. Higher-rated doors can hold flames for 90 or 120 minutes, and are meant for highly flammable areas. At other places, you can install lower-rated fire doors.

3. Choose Materials That Can Handle Mining Conditions

A standard steel fire door might not last long in a mining environment where moisture, dust, and vibration are constant. Look for heavy-duty industrial doors made with reinforced cores and corrosion-resistant coatings. The gasket system should be able to prevent dust ingress. Additionally, the door should have thermal insulation layers to reduce heat transfer. An experienced industrial safety door supplier, like Zacon, will help you match door specifications with site conditions.

4. Integration with Mining Safety Systems

If you focus only on fire doors to prevent a fire hazard, you are looking at it from the wrong perspective. Ideally, you should focus on a complete mine safety strategy. This means that other features should be available to prevent a fire hazard inside a mine, such as alarms and sprinklers. Link the fire doors to the main system so that they close automatically as soon as the detectors trigger. You can even customize them to ensure the critical escape routes remain accessible. Make sure you prioritize regular maintenance and checks so that the fire safety system does not fail during an emergency.

Conclusion

Always remember that fire doors are a part of your mine’s first line of defense against one of the deadliest industrial hazards. This is why you should choose the right fire door for your underground mines. Zacon is a popular manufacturer of fire doors for mines. If you want to buy fire doors for your mine, just call toll-free: +1 888 298 3111 or telephone: +1 705 897 2002.