Fires and potential explosions at mine sites can be averted and mitigated against with the proper use of fire- suppressing technologies, such as water-mist and aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) systems, reports fire detection and suppression solutions company ASP Fire CEO Michael van Niekerk.

Mines and mining plant are hazardous environments, with high temperatures, heavy machinery and the presence of hydrocarbon fuels, thereby presenting various fire initiation possibilities.

ASP Fire provides a wide range of water-mist and AFFF systems developed to effectively deal with fires at mining operations, consequently improving the safety and protection levels for on-the-ground mine personnel.

ASP Fire’s AFFF system is effective in mining environments, especially where equipment and machinery use flammable products, such as fuels.

This solution plays a “vital” role in suppressing flammable vapours and disallowing reignition, which are commonplace risks at refuelling areas, ruptured hoses and leaking tanks.

The AFFF systems produce a low-expansion and free-flowing foam, with a vapour-suppressing film for resisting heat and stopping oxygen from reaching fuel, which, Van Niekerk says, is efficient for dispersing across liquid fuel surfaces.

“AFFF is designed specifically for flammable liquid and hydrocarbon fires. When discharged, the foam spreads quickly across the surface of the fuel, forming a thin film that seals the surface and suppresses the release of flammable vapours. This separates the fuel from oxygen, cools the surface and helps extinguish the fire while preventing re-ignition,” he explains.

Meanwhile, ASP Fire’s water-mist system is effective for confined or enclosed spaces, such as those associated with mining operations, notes Van Niekerk.

This system produces small water droplets that create a large surface area, allowing for the rapid absorption of heat from flames, hot gases and other surfaces, consequently suppressing fires effectively, he states.

These systems make use of low-volume, but high-pressure, water-flow rates.

Van Niekerk notes that the water-mist systems produce the fine droplets through specially-engineered nozzles, which allow for high-heat absorption and quick cooling, while reducing water damage and clean-up, post-fire incidents.

“As the droplets evaporate, they cool the fire and displace oxygen locally, slowing the combustion process. This combination of rapid cooling, heat absorption and oxygen displacement enables water mist to control or extinguish fires using significantly less water than conventional sprinklers,” he elaborates.

Unlike conventional fire suppression and cooling methods, such as sprinklers and dry chemical powder, Van Niekerk says that AFFF systems are effective in extinguishing the fire at the point-of-origin, while water-mist systems provide effective cooling and heat absorption with little to no residue.

In designing firefighting systems at mines, Van Niekerk suggests that mining operations should conduct related continuous inspections, firefighting system maintenance and associated personnel training, and to shift away from foams that contain polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Here, a detailed risk assessment can be conducted at the mining operation before selecting a fire suppression system, he suggests.

“Working with experienced fire engineering specialists, such as ASP Fire, who understand both international standards and the realities of African mining operations, is critical to achieving solutions that are not only compliant, but practical, reliable and sustainable over the long term,” concludes Van Niekerk.