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• Mine fires and explosions

Mine fires and explosions

Mining and mineral processing facilities represent significant fire and explosion exposures to both personnel and production equipment and buildings. From a personnel safety standpoint, underground mining has been by far the global loss leader in fatalities and injuires for all industries.

In the 100-year period from 1900 to 1999, more than 100,000 miners died from all unintentional-injury causes, including fires and explosions, in U.S. coal mine incidents alone, an average of 1,040 a year. In the last decade, this has been reduced to 450 fatalities, or an average of 45 per year. Approximately 10-15 percent can be attributed directly to fires and explosions.

Life-threatening incidents, though more common in coal mines, have also occurred in the noncoal (metal and nonmetal) mining industry. In the same 100-year period ending 1999, approximately 23,000 miners died in various incidents in noncoal mines, including fire and explosions. Recent advances in mining and safety technologies and the promulgation of more stringent government regulations have significantly reduced fatalities from underground mine fires and explosions.

Free NFPA report: Coal Mine Fires and Explosions with Three or More Deaths, 1985-2009, (PDF, 32 KB)

Documented mine disasters (5 or more deaths)

10 deadliest U.S. mining fires and explosions

Five deadliest U.S. coal mine disasters since 1940

NFPA codes, standards, and recommended practices
Reference to the following NFPA documents will provide further information on mining methods and equipment:

• NFPA 10, Portable Fire Extinguishers
• NFPA 11, Medium- and High-Expansion Foam Systems
• NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems
• NFPA 14, Installation of Standpipes and Hose Systems
• NFPA 24, Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and Their Appurtenances
• NFPA 25, Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems
• NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
• NFPA 30A, Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages
• NFPA 55, Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids Code
• NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code
• NFPA 68, Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting
• NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code®
• NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code
• NFPA 85, Boiler and Combustion Systems Hazards Code
• NFPA 91, Exhaust Systems for Air Conveying of Vapors, Gases, Mists, and Noncombustible Particulate Solids
• NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code® 
• NFPA 120, Fire Prevention and Control in Coal Mines
• NFPA 122, Fire Prevention and Control in Underground Metal and Nonmetal Mines
• NFPA 495, Explosive Materials Code
• NFPA 704, Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response
• NFPA 780, Installation of Lightning Protection Systems
• NFPA 1142, Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting
• NFPA 1961, Fire Hose
• NFPA 1962, Inspection, Care, and Use of Fire Hose, Couplings, and Nozzles and the Service Testing of Fire Hose
• NFPA 2001, Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems

Also see Section 9.16, Mining and Mineral Processing, of NFPA's Fire Protection Handbook, 20th Edition.

Other resources

• Mine Safety and Health Administration: Protecting miners' safety and health since 1978
• NIOSH Mining and Safety Health Research: Improving mine safety and health through research and education