Bud Page Electrical Engineer Electrical Safety Division

Bud PageElectrical EngineerElectrical Safety

Division

MSHA Approval and Certification CenterOrganizational Chart

Why do you need MSHA approval?

Federal Mine Safety & Health Act of 1977,Public Law 91 ‑173,as amended by Public Law 95 - 164

• Sec. 305. (a)(1) requires that all electric face equipment which is taken into or used inby the last open crosscut of any mine classified as gassy shall be permissible.

Federal Mine Safety & Health Act of 1977,Public Law 91‑173, as amended by Public Law 95 - 164

SEC. 318 DEFINITIONS

(i) "permissible" as applied to electric face equipment means all electrically operated equipment taken into or used inby the last open crosscut of an entry or a room of any coal mine the electrical parts of which, including, but not limited to, associated electrical equipment, components, and accessories, are designed, constructed, and installed, in accordance with the specifications of the Secretary, to assure that such equipment will not cause a mine explosion or mine fire,...

Federal Mine Safety & Health Act of 1977,Public Law 91‑173,as amended by Public Law 95 - 164

SEC. 318 DEFINITIONS

(i) "permissible” (continued)

…and the other features of which are designed and constructed, in accordance with the specifications of the Secretary, to prevent, to the greatest extent possible, other accidents in the use of such equipment;

The Secretary’s Specifications are Codified in 30CFR

30CFR Part 18 recognizes three types of protection techniques:

• Explosion-Proof Enclosures– Contains an explosion

• Potted Enclosures– Excludes explosive gas from circuit

• Intrinsically Safe Circuits– No ignition source

What is an intrinsically-safe circuit?

30CFR 18.2 Definitions:

“Intrinsically safe” means incapable of releasing enough electrical or thermal energy under normal or abnormal conditions to cause ignition of a flammable mixture of methane or natural gas and air of the most easily ignitable composition.

How does MSHA determine if a circuit is Intrinsically-Safe?

• 30CFR 18.68 “Tests for intrinsic safety”• ACRI2001 “Criteria for the Evaluation and Test of

Intrinsically Safe Apparatus and Associated Apparatus” – Supplements 30 CFR

– Similar to ANSI/UL-913 Fourth Edition

Documents available from MSHA’s Internet site:

www.msha.gov

Should I apply for...

Apply for a Part 22 Approval if your product:

• Is a portable methane detector – also portable multi-gas detectors that include a methane gas

sensor;

• Displays concentration in % methane; and,• Detects methane concentrations between 0.25% and

2% methane-in-air. – Accuracy up to 5% is recommended– Warns if the maximum concentration has been exceeded, low

battery condition, or if the sensor malfunctions


• Is a telephone or signaling device;• Provides wired or radio communications; and,• Is battery-powered or has a battery backup

Examples: portable RF transceivers, remote fire and heat detector systems, “leaky-feeder” communication systems


• Is not a portable methane detector (Part 22) or a telephone or signaling device (Part 23);

• Is a “stand-alone” device having an internal power source; and

• Does not connect to any other electrical device, unless specifically evaluated for intrinsic safety when connected to that device

Examples: dust pumps, audio dosimeters, oxygen deficiency meters, toxic gas detectors, blaster’s galvanometers, radio remote control transmitters

Apply for a Part 27 Certification if your product:

• Is a continuous duty, machine-mounted, methane monitor;• Actuates an audible or visual alarm when 1.0-1.5%

methane is detected; and,• Activates a power shut-off component at methane

concentrations greater than 2.0%

Apply for a Part 18.82 Experimental Permit if your product:

• Is limited to a small number of devices that will be used in a mine for a short time usually for evaluation purposes or for a non-recurring application.

MSHA may waive certain tests based on test reports from a reputable testing agency

Each device is inspected by MSHA

Limitations:– Issued only to the user of the equipment– Expires in 6-months (may be renewed an additional 6-months)

Apply for a Mine-Wide Monitoring System Classification if your product:

• Is an intrinsic safety barrier to be used in a MWMS;• Is a sensor to be used in a MWMS; or,• Is a Mine-Wide Monitoring System

Apply for an Intrinsic Safety Evaluation if your product:

• Is not a complete, “stand-alone” device; • Is line-powered or can be connected to line power inby;• Can be connected to another device inby that has not

been evaluated for intrinsic safety with your product; or,• Is a component of a permissible machine or system (e.g.,

associated apparatus, remote control receiver, etc.)

How do I submit an application?

• MSHA has published a Standard Application Procedure for the Approval or Intrinsic Safety Evaluation of Intrinsically Safe Apparatus and Associated Apparatus Per 30 CFR Part 18 (ASAP2016)

A copy of this procedure is in your Workshop Packet and can be downloaded from the MSHA website at:

www.msha.gov/techsupp/acc/application

How do I apply for MSHA approval?Per ASAP2016 submit the following:

• Application Letter• Documentation• Drawing List• Checklist• Test samples• Quality Assurance• Other information



New Approval or Intrinsic Safety Evaluation Application Letter

Applicant name and address:Chief, Approval and Certification CenterRR#1 Box 251Industrial Park RoadTriadelphia, West Virginia 26059

DATE:

SUBJECT: (choose one) New approval -OR- Intrinsic safety evaluation of the

MODEL TYPE OF EQUIPMENT

Company Assigned Application Code Number: (six digits or less)

Gentlemen:

We request MSHA approval or intrinsic safety evaluation of the subject equipment whichconsists of the following major components (attach additional sheets as necessary):

This equipment is similar to the following equipment approved by MSHA (If applicable):

MODEL TYPE OF EQUIPMENT

Approval No. , Investigation No. as granted by letter

to dated .

Enclosed are all the drawings, a drawing list, and a checklist for this application.

If you have any questions, contact:

address:

telephone: FAX:

E-mail address:

Sincerely,Name:

Title:

(signature)

Brief description of equipment and use in mines (attach additional sheets if necessary):



• Assembly drawings• Schematic diagrams• Electrical parts lists• Layout drawings• PC board artwork drawings• Block diagram• Technical description of circuit

operation• Operator's manual



Each drawing: • Title • Drawing number • Date• In English• Sheet number (multi-sheet)• Revision level or date• “Do not change without MSHA

approval”• Legible



• The drawings shall be adequate in number and detail to identify fully the complete assembly, component parts, and subassemblies (18.6(e)).

• Diagrams must clearly show which circuits must be located either in fresh-air or in an MSHA-certified explosion-proof enclosure.



Specifications for Protective Components:• Transformers• Current-limiting resistors• Blocking capacitors• Shunt protective components fitted to

inductive elements• Optical isolators



Energy-storing components:• Batteries• Capacitors• Inductive components

– inductors, chokes, coils

– motors

– transformer windings

• Piezo-electric devices



Heat producing components:• Hot filament components

– light bulbs

– catalytic gas sensing elements

• Low-value resistors• Solid state voltage- and current-

limiting devices



Other components:• Fuses and other thermal

protection devices• Relays• Heat sinks• Miscellaneous components



RECOMMENDATIONS:• Generic description of non-critical

components • Schematics w/o component values• Parts list specifying a range of values

for non-critical components• Submit “marked-up” drawings showing

changes made to drawings on file

Note: “Clean” drawings must be submitted for filing





• Administrative• Technical

Leave no blanks. If a particular item does not apply, use the designation N/A

Sign and date the form



• One complete instrument or device• Three of each type inductive

component• Three battery assemblies• Ten current-limiting resistors• Thirty lamp bulbs• Five piezo-electric devices• Ten fuses or other thermal

protective device• Ten protective optical-isolators• Five protective transformers



• Factory Inspection Form– Demonstrates quality control

program at place of manufacture

– Insures product is constructed and assembled according to design submitted to MSHA

• Certified Statement of Compliance– In lieu of Factory Inspection Form

– Obligates approval-holder to conduct regular inspections of product to assure they are made and assembled in strict accordance with approval.





• Copies of test reports from other approval agencies

• Photographs of the instrument

• Lithium battery test reports from an OSHA Nationally

Recognized Test Laboratory • Verification of performance

specifications for instruments (e.g., toxic gas detectors, oxygen deficiency meters)

What happens after I submit my application?

• MSHA reviews application to estimate maximum fee – Based on investigation time of similar previous applications– Does not include additional time for retesting or redesign– If the product cannot be inspected at the A&CC, you will be

charged the travel expenses for the investigator to go and inspect the product at the remote site

• Notification by mail – Fee estimate – Tentative start date

• Return Fee Estimate Acceptance Form within 30 days


• Application assigned to an Investigator– Contacts person designated on application letter– Reviews application package – Prepares a discrepancy letter

• Identifies components needed for test • Requests additional information or documentation necessary to

continuing processing your application

• Receive discrepancy letter in mail– Respond within time period specified in letter– Request extension of time if you can not provide all of the

components or documentation within time period specified

Reminder: You are responsible for all shipping arrangements and costs


• Investigator receives response to discrepancy letter– Inspects, evaluates and tests product for compliance with

MSHA regulation, policies, and procedures– Prepares discrepancy letter documenting any test failures, non-

compliance with requirements, and discrepancies between the product sample and documentation

– If no discrepancies, Investigator prepares:• Advanced notice of approval (if requested)• Approval letter• Drawing list• Approval plate design

Note: You must respond to each additional discrepancy letter within the time specified in the letter or your

application will be cancelled!

What are my obligations after approval?As stated in your approval, certification or IS evaluation letter:

• Build product according to approved drawing list• Labeling of product• No changes without prior MSHA authorization• Required changes in the interest of safety• MSHA right to rescind, for cause• Conditions of use

NOTE: An intrinsic safety evaluation letter does not authorize you to advertise the product as permissible for use in underground gassy mines or as being approved or certified by MSHA

When must I apply for an extension of my approval, certification, or intrinsic safety evaluation?

• Your product has been significantly redesigned;• The conditions of use have changed; or,• A significant number of critical components or assemblies

have been changed that are not compatible with the currently approved model(s)

It is your choice whether to apply for a new approval or an extension of approval

QUESTIONS ???QUESTIONS ???

Concerning the application process