Metal and Nonmetal National Mine Rescue Contest Rules

4. continuing exploration after conditions are foundto indicate an imminent explosion is possible bythe presence of an explosive mixture and theevidence of fire (smoke or carbon monoxide) andthe location of the fire is unknown. A team mustcontinue to explore if it knows there is acontinuous nonexplosive separation between theexplosive mixture and the evidence of fire.5. Utilizing electric or battery-powered equipment inexplosive air/gas atmosphere. Ignition sourceswould include any communication device, unlessdesignated as sound-powered or intrinsically safe.10. This will be as sessed for not ex plor ing all ar eas of themine that can be ex plored with out en dan ger ing team, ifprob lem re quires en tire mine to be ex plored. All ac ces -si ble ar eas must be tied across and be hind be fore ad -vanc ing. Where cross cuts are blocked, no team mem bermay ad vance more than 3 feet be yond the sec ond in ter -sec tion be fore ty ing across and/or be hind into all un ex -plored ar eas that in ter sect. This may re quire build ing anair lock or re turn ing to the fresh air base and ex plor inginto other drifts at the dis cre tion of the team and ac -cord ing to con di tions of the mine. Shafts must bechecked for pos si ble dam age, wa ter, or fire, and mustbe trav eled to be con sid ered ex plored. All shafts mustbe trav eled, if pos si ble, be fore pro ceed ing more thanthree feet be yond the 2nd in ter sec tion.11. Personnel checks, not necessarily an apparatus check.The per son mak ing the check must ob tain as sur ancefrom per son be ing checked that he/she is all right (ask -ing if per son is all right will suf fice).12. Seal ing or fight ing a fire does not re lieve the team ofthe responsibility of systematic exploration.13. Self ex plan a tory.28