Contaminated air in coal mining, or mining in general, referred to as mine damps is often released during mining operations including drilling and blasting.  Being in a confined space the contaminated gases builds up as it is unable to disperse which can lead to explosions. Having supplied flameproof pumps and related equipment to various Mpumalanga coal mines Mechanical Rotating Solutions has seen an uptick in its supply of STRAUB pipe couplings including its innovative fire proof STRAUB FIRE FENCE product.

According to Franscois Steenkamp, CEO of MRS, the STRAUB FIRE FENCE pipe couplings should form an integral part of any mine fire suppression system that incorporates deluge, water spray, water mist or sprinkler fire systems.

“The South African mining industry annually reports fires caused by equipment malfunction, electrical faults, spontaneous combustion, and other causes. Whilst misaligned or damaged conveyor belts are often the source of frictional heating that leads to fires, some fires, especially in coal mines, are hard to detect. It is in this instance where your fire suppression system design is of utmost importance. The STRAUB FIRE FENCE system is based on the standard types of the STRAUB-GRIP and STRAUB-FLEX series. Thus all advantages of the STRAUB pipe couplings are combined with fire protection and give the user a simple, space-saving, state-of-the-art pipe connection.”

  STRAUB FIRE FENCE is the optimum solution for firefighting pipework, and for many piping systems with increased fire protection requirements such as in civil engineering (tunnels), offshore platforms, and seagoing vessels. Even with its flame protection, the coupling is space saving, shows significantly improved crush resistance and, thanks to the innovative design, is also lighter than other pipe couplings available. The STRAUB FIRE FENCE pipe coupling incorporates an intumescent plastic that is firmly bonded to the outside of the casing.  In the event of a fire, the intumescent fire protection coating expands, protectively enclosing the coupling. During this process, the coupling retains its full operational capability – without any limitations.  Under the influence of heat, intumescent materials increase in volume and decrease in density, i.e. the material expands. This produces an isolating heat shield which protects the assembly part.

The STRAUB FIRE FENCE complies with the Fire-endurance test in accordance with ISO 19921 and 19922. This International Standard specifies requirements on a test bench for determining the fire resistance of gasketed mechanical couplings and similar pipeline components containing a resilient or elastomeric material.  In most mines pipe fittings are used for connecting pipes of several diameters and sizes connecting firefighting equipment. Fire suppression system pipes are generally connected with fittings that are either grooved, flange connections, butt weld connections or threaded connections.

‘As the STRAUB FIRE FENCE system is based on the STRAUB-GRIP and STRAUB-FLEX series it requires no special tools or pipe-end preparation and utilising its innovative progressive sealing effect it ensures that when the pressure in the pipe rises, the contact pressure on the sealing lips increases due to the flow through the pressure equalisation channel. Furthermore, its progressive anchoring effect ensures that when the axial tensile load on the pipe rises, due to increased internal pressure or external influence, the teeth continuously penetrate deeper into the surface of the pipe to compensate. Already installed STRAUB couplings can be easily and quickly converted to the STRAUB-FIRE FENCE variant using a retrofit kit available for the STRAUB GRIP, STRAUB-METAL-GRIP and STRAUB-FLEX product groups.

Mechanical Rotating Solutions has been a leader in pump and complementary pump products having not only supplied various coal mines in the Mpumalanga region with turnkey pump systems but has also supplied mines with underground double configuration flameproof pump sets for the purpose of dewatering shortwall coal mining operations. The MRS pump sets combines flame proof panels incorporated to two single stage suction centrifugal pumps. These pumps are constructed to enclose the parts that could ignite the material being transported or found in the surrounding area. The MRS supplied flameproof pumps are designed and manufactured strong enough to contain an explosion and prevent a flame or heat from escaping that could ignite mine damps.

“Complementing our flame proof offering we have also delivered flameproof mobile pump sets to collieries in Mpumalanga. By incorporating flameproof panels and manufacturing mobile trolley units MRS are able to offer individual mobile pump sets that are explosion proof and designed to withstand the most demanding conditions. These mobile versatility is increased as each pump model has the capability of easily converting between high head and high volume performance with an easy change of the impeller and wear plate.”

Says Steenkamp.

For more information visit www.straub.co.za