Drill and Blast Chamber
– TunnelSAFE Standard Design
Drill and Blast Chambers are designed for drill and blast tunnelling operations. The Standard Design refuge chamber offers optimum safety features, functionality and performance, and can be easily positioned and repositioned; providing an ongoing, adaptable safe refuge solution for the life of the tunnelling project.
The TunnelSAFE Standard Design (SD) Refuge Chamber offers an ideal solution for projects involving feeder tunnels and single-entry development headings, including sub-surface railway stations, hydro-power stations and other complex tunnel networks.
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Model | Occupancy | Compliance | Height (m) | Width (m) | Length (m) | Weight (kg) |
TS-SD1-08-ELV-24-I | 8-Person | ITA | 2.21 | 2.25 | 3.89 | 4300 |
TS-SD2-08-ELV-24-E | 8-Person | BS EN | 2.21 | 2.25 | 4.80 | 4700 |
TS-SD2-12-ELV-24-I | 12-Person | ITA | 2.21 | 2.25 | 4.80 | 4700 |
TS-SD3-12-ELV-24-E | 12-Person | BS EN | 2.21 | 2.25 | 6.02 | 5400 |
TS-SD3-16-ELV-24-I | 16-Person | ITA | 2.21 | 2.25 | 6.02 | 5400 |
TS-SD4-16-ELV-24-E | 16-Person | BS EN | 2.21 | 2.25 | 7.23 | 6000 |
TS-SD4-20-ELV-24-I | 20-Person | ITA | 2.21 | 2.25 | 7.23 | 6000 |
- Self-regenerative ELV CO and CO2 scrubbing
- Medical O2 regulator and backup
- Positive pressure maintenance system with visual reference
- Audio visual warning for pneumatic disruption
- Aura-FX Digital Gas Monitoring
- Radio power supply
- Air conditioning and dehumidifying
- 5mm steel plate construction with reflective signage
- Water based fire extinguisher (optional for non-Australian orders)
- Full UPS 24hr battery backup system
- Ergonomically designed seating
- External strobe lighting; internal fluorescent lighting
- GuardIAN Refuge Chamber Monitoring
- Custom dimensions and transport configurations
- Blast shield protection (reinforced construction)
- Compressed Air Management System (CAMS)
- Fully flushing, pressurised airlock
- Misting system for external temperature control
- Satellite UPS System
- Internal LCD monitor screen
- Step-down transformer
- Carbon Monoxide Safety-Off-System (COSOS)
- Remote video camera monitoring
- Intrinsically safe MARCis Scrubber
- Automated Oxygen Delivery System (AODS)
- First aid kit
Drill and Blast Chamber – Front View
The ‘face’ of the refuge chamber is designed primarily for easy identification and quick access during an emergency.
The strobe lighting, warning siren and reflective signage alert passers-by to the chamber’s location, whilst the rotating door handles provide simple, straight forward access to the safety of the interior.
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112 dBA motion activated siren to allow for easy location of the refuge chamber in an emergency.
Extra low voltage green and red LED lighting to allow for easy identification of the refuge chamber in an emergency.
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Outward opening door, featuring double locking rotating handles. The vacuum tested seal maintains a positive internal pressure.
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Safety and operational signage in reflective stickering for high visibility underground. Translation into a second language available.
High durability white paint for underground visibility. Sand blasted to 2.5 grit.
Drill and Blast Chamber - Interior View
Inside a TunnelSAFE Standard Design Refuge Chamber, a number of vital life-support systems combine to create a safe, ongoing environment for occupants. Systems include; primary and secondary air (oxygen) supplies, air conditioning systems, positive pressure systems, electrical systems, gas detection and a chemical scrubbing system.
The TunnelSAFE Standard Design uses active chemicals and MineARC’s ELV (extra-low-voltage) Scrubbing System to ‘scrub’ the build up of harmful CO2 (carbon dioxide) and CO (carbon monoxide) from the air inside the refuge chamber.
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Air conditioning is vital to combat the potentially fatal effects of heat stress, caused by the occupant’s metabolic activity, as well as any ambient heat.
Operating procedures are located on the wall of the refuge chamber, as well as within hardcopy manuals. Operating procedures can be translated into a second language.
MineARC’s MARCISORB CO2 and MARCISORB CO cartridges provide superior scrubbing capacity, are easy to load, safe to handle, and can store for long periods.
The MineARC Compressed Air Management System (CAMS) is a dedicated air management unit designed specifically for MineARC Refuge Chambers.
Real-time gas monitoring with live analysis and voice prompting. Monitor up to 11 gases at any one time.
The TunnelSAFE uses active chemicals and MineARC’s extra-low-voltage scrubbing system to ‘scrub’ the build up of harmful CO2 and CO from the chamber.
The digital controller interface is the operational hub of the refuge chamber. From here, all power, lighting & scrubbing systems can be managed with the push of a button.
MineARC seating is ergonomically designed to provide suitable comfort during entrapment. Made from durable, hard wearing fabric, the seating provides 500mm of space per person.
Drill and Blast Chamber - Rear View
A secure cabinet at the rear of the TunnelSAFE Standard Design houses the refuge chamber’s UPS battery back up (Uninterruptible Power Supply). The UPS is a fail-safe system that can power the refuge chamber’s internal life support systems for a minimum of 24hrs, should mine power become cut-off.
Also at the rear of the chamber is the Compressed Air Management System (CAMS), which allows regulated compressed air into the refuge chamber when the pressure inside drops below 200Pa. This process optimises mine air usage and guarantees against over-pressurisation of the refuge chamber. CAMS’ gas toxicity monitor automatically diverts compressed air if oxygen levels in the airline fall below a set level (18% oxygen in free air), signifying air contamination. Additionally, the incorporated flood protection valve automatically shuts down compressed air to avoid catastrophic and costly chamber damage in the event of water ingress.
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The MineARC Compressed Air Management System (CAMS) is a dedicated air management unit designed specifically for MineARC Refuge Chambers.
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