Citation

Luzik SJ. Fire Technol. 1993; 29(2): 131-153.

Affiliation

United States Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Triadelphia, West Virginia, USA

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/BF01038536

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

An engineering study was undertaken to develop a cost-effective compressible block for use in stopping construction in areas of underground coal mines exposed to convergent ground and roof conditions. A cardboard block consisting of 1.25-cm hexagonal cells with a nominal 0.4-mm face coating of intumescent paint was judged to be a viable solution to this problem and met the important performance characteristics of high fire resistance at low pressure differentials, low flame spread, resistance to air leakage, and relatively low compressive strength. These units may not perform well in areas of high humidity (above 90%). A special block, treated with 18% by weight of phenolic resin, displayed excellent resistance to moisture and adequate fire-resistance characteristics. It may be considered an attractive alternative to untreated blocks for use in mines experiencing high humidity (above 90%).