A. Ventilation shall be so arranged by means of air locks, overcasts, or undercasts that the passage of a haulage trip or person along the entries will cause no interruption of the air current. Each air lock shall be ventilated sufficiently to prevent an accumulation of methane therein.
B. Air lock doors that are used in lieu of permanent stoppings or to control ventilation within an air course shall be (i) made of incombustible material or coated on all accessible surfaces with flame-retardant material having a flame spread index of 25 or less as tested under ASTM E162 and (ii) of sufficient strength to serve their intended purpose of maintaining separation and permitting travel between or within air courses or entries.
C. To provide easy access between the return, belt, and intake escapeway entries, substantially constructed man-doors that are properly marked so as to be readily detected shall be installed in at least every fifth crosscut in the stopping line separating such entries.
D. Doors shall be kept closed except when a miner or piece of equipment is passing through the doorway. Any motor crew or other miner who opens such doors shall see that they are closed before leaving them.
E. Overcasts, undercasts, and regulators shall be well-constructed; of incombustible material, such as masonry, concrete, concrete block, or prefabricated metal; and (i) of sufficient strength to withstand possible falls from the roof, (ii) of ample area to pass the required quantity of air, and (iii) kept clear of obstructions.
Code 1950, § 45-60.4; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, § 45.1-60; 1993, c. 442; 1994, c. 28, § 45.1-161.225; 1996, c. 774; 2005, c. 3; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 45.2 - Mines, Minerals, and Energy
Chapter 8 - Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc
§ 45.2-800. Face and other equipment
§ 45.2-801. Shop and other equipment
§ 45.2-803. Surface electrical installations
§ 45.2-804. Surface transformers
§ 45.2-805. Underground transformers
§ 45.2-806. Stations and substations
§ 45.2-808. Trolley wires and feeder wires
§ 45.2-810. Circuit breakers and switches
§ 45.2-811. Communication systems
§ 45.2-812. Electrical equipment
§ 45.2-814. Inspection of electrical equipment and wiring; checking and testing methane monitors
§ 45.2-815. Repairs to circuits and electric equipment
§ 45.2-816. Underground illumination
§ 45.2-817. Inspection of electric illumination equipment
§ 45.2-818. Firefighting equipment; fire prevention
§ 45.2-819. Duties in case of fire
§ 45.2-820. Emergency response plans; list of next of kin
§ 45.2-821. Reporting fires; response
§ 45.2-822. Fire prevention in transportation of mining equipment
§ 45.2-823. Storage and use of flammable fluids and materials
§ 45.2-824. Diesel-powered equipment
§ 45.2-825. Arcs, sparks, and flames
§ 45.2-826. Pre-shift examinations
§ 45.2-827. on-shift examinations
§ 45.2-828. Weekly examinations
§ 45.2-829. Examinations of fans
§ 45.2-830. Record of examinations
§ 45.2-831. Notice of hazardous conditions
§ 45.2-832. Notice of monitor tampering prohibition
§ 45.2-839. Actions for excessive methane
§ 45.2-841. Permanent stoppings
§ 45.2-842. Ventilation controls
§ 45.2-844. Ventilation with air from certain areas
§ 45.2-847. Examination of mine for explosive gas and other hazardous conditions
§ 45.2-848. Tampering with methane monitoring devices prohibited; penalty
§ 45.2-850. Intentionally bypassing a safety device; prohibition
§ 45.2-851. Control of coal dust
§ 45.2-853. Checking system; tracking system
§ 45.2-854. Protective clothing
§ 45.2-855. Noise levels and ear protection
§ 45.2-856. Smoking materials prohibited; penalty
§ 45.2-857. Allowing persons to work in a mine with smoker's articles; penalty
§ 45.2-859. Smoking in surface and other areas
§ 45.2-860. Portable illumination
§ 45.2-861. First aid equipment