Risks and Benefits to Using the Refuge One Air Centre

Risks:

The blower(s) within the unit is/are the only moving part(s), and its reliability could be perceived as a risk. The assurance of their performance can be covered off with a simple routine maintenance check. Additional assurances could be achieved by storing a new blower(s) with the system (although this likely is an unnecessary cost).

The batteries' available power is directly related to the charging system, and as such is constantly monitored by an indicator light and alarm. Should their performance deteriorate and go unchecked, and the power to the refuge station be lost, the capacity of the system would be effected. This could be overcome by a simple daily visual check.

The Refuge One does not create significant "positive pressure," and therefore it is important that the openings to the Refuge Station be tightly sealed to prevent the inward migration of air.

The Refuge One Air Centre is an easy to use, self-contained system which is a proven method of maintaining the desired environment within the Refuge Station. Therefore, it is not exposed to the variables which may threaten the integrity of the compressed air line (and the respirable air).

The Refuge One has a heavy duty steel base which accommodates a fork lift, and can be easily moved. This will permit the system to move with the development of the mine, providing the Refuge Station it was previously in can meet the requirements without it.

Like the use of compressed air, the Refuge One does not need the added volume of space designed into "dead air space" Refuge Stations. The size of the Refuge Station only needs to accommodate the physical requirements of the occupants and the system. This could result in a significant reduction in the cost of excavating the Refuge Stations.