Details

FLAME SAFETY LAMP

FEATURES OF FLAME SAFETY LAMP

CONTENTS

1.0 TESTING OF METHANE OR FIREDAMP
2.0 INDIAN REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO METHANE CONCENTRATION
3.0 METHODS OF DETECTING METHANE
3.1 Flame Safety Lamp
3.1.1 Working Principle of Flame Safety Lamp
3.1.2 Manufacturers of Flame Safety Lamp in India
3.1.3 Approval by DGMS

1.0 TESTING OF METHANE OR FIREDAMP
2.0 INDIAN REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO METHANE CONCENTRATION
Some of the Indian laws regarding the methane concentration are:
o Methane concentration should not exceed 0.75 % in the return of a
ventilation district.
o Methane concentration should not exceed 1.25% in any part of the
underground mine.
o Electric supply should be cut-off from the district if the methane
concentration exceeds 1.25%. Also workers should be withdrawn from the
place.
o Charging, stemming or firing of shot holes is not allowed in areas where
methane is found /detected.
o In gassy mines, where electricity is used, detection/testing of methane is
carried on the intake side of the first working face and on the return side of
the last working face in a district as per the following rule:
Concentration of methane Testing to be carried out
< 0.6% Every 30 days
0.6% - 0.8% Every week
>0.8% Every day

3.0 METHODS OF DETECTING METHANE
Methane in mine air can be detected either by using chemical analysis in laboratory
or by using flame safety lamp and special instruments called methanometers.
Using safety lamp or methanometers, methane can be detected on the spot in
underground. Let us discuss flame safety lamp and methanometers in detail.

3.1 Flame Safety Lamp
It was discovered by SIR HUMPHREY DAVY in 1815. It was discovered with dual
purpose of detecting methane as well as mine illumination. Many modifications
have been done to the flame safety lamp. Now a day the flame safety lamp (mostly
used for methane detection) are based on MARASAUT-MUESELER principle. Some
of the main/major modifications made to the safety lamp since its discovery are:
o Introduction of glass cylinder around the flame
o Addition of internal chimney
o Two gauzes instead of one
o Safety locks, arrangement for relighting, controlled air-feeding arrangement
Let us first discuss about the general construction of the flame safety lamp.
The flame safety lamp can be divided into three main sections – lower, middle and
upper sections. There are various components in all the three sections. Table 1 lists
the different components found in different section along with their functional
details.

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