The first stage of exogenous underground fire – theoretical approach to layer model

A discussion about the layer model which – even though it is most often used for fire in compartments – can be adapted to exogenous conditions of the fire in the mining excavation is presented in the article. This model is a simplified case consideration of the initial phase of development of the fire. Using the equations of conservation of mass and energy, and knowing the basic parameters of the fire, e.g. the fire load – temperature of the upper and the lower layer during the fire can be calculated. Applied equations and assumptions indicate that at the first stage of the fire (when it is tread as point) there is a lack of smoke emission or it is negligible therefore application of smoke detectors is insufficient for fire prevention purposes. The example of belt conveyor fire has been selected as the result of work conducted by Institute of Mining of Silesian University of Technology in frames of Research for Coal and Steel Programme - EDAFFIC – “Early Detection And Fighting of Fires in Belt Conveyors”, RFCR-CT-2008-00002 in years 2008-2011.