TunnelSAFE Standard Design Refuge Chamber

The TunnelSAFE Standard Design Refuge Chamber is designed for drill and blast tunnelling operations. This portable 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.

Overview

MineARC's TunnelSAFE Standard Design Refuge Chamber is highly customisable to suit any tunnelling project and can be built to comply with British Standard (BS EN 16191:2014) Safety Requirements for Tunnelling Machinery or the ITA's "Guidelines for the Provision of Refuge Chambers Under Construction".

The TunnelSAFE Standard Design Refuge Chamber features a generous shell size at 2.25m wide, while still providing ample internal space for a range of occupancies - from 08 to 20 people. It's dimensions and rated occupancy can be custom-engineered to project specifications, without compromising on safety or performance.

Specifications

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
  • TunnelSAFE Standard Design 8-Person Refuge Chamber (ITA or BSEN)
    TS-SD1-08-ELV-24-I & TS-SD2-08-ELV-24-E
  • TunnelSAFE Standard Design 12-Person Refuge Chamber (ITA or BSEN)
    TS-SD2-12-ELV-24-I & TS-SD3-12-ELV-24-E
  • TunnelSAFE Standard Design 16-Person Refuge Chamber (ITA or BSEN)
    TS-SD3-16-ELV-24-I & TS-SD4-16-ELV-24-E
  • TunnelSAFE Standard Design 20-Person Refuge Chamber (ITA or BSEN)
    TS-SD4-20-ELV-24-I

Chamber Exterior – Front

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.

Chamber Interior

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.

Chamber Exterior – Rear

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.

Comparison Table

Capacity Every refuge chamber is built with a certain rated occupancy in mind. The life support systems are designed to safely house this number of people for the designated duration.
ITA/BS EN Compliance MineARC’s TunnelSAFE Refuge Chambers can be built to comply with British Standard (BS EN 16191:2014) Safety Requirements for Tunnelling Machinery and the ITA’s “Guidelines for the Provision of Refuge Chambers Under Construction”
 Aura-FX Gas Monitoring CAMS Gantry Mobile Portable 24hrs Battery Backup
10-24
10-24
10-24
10-24
8-20
12-24
12-24

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