A poorly designed and installed fire suppression system in a fixed underground magazine can result in a failure to extinguish an accidental outbreak of fire in the magazine. This can lead to an explosion of products in the magazine and present a major air-blast hazard to persons working in the mine.
The Dangerous Goods Safety (Explosives) Regulations 2007 require that fixed underground magazines for the storage of explosives comply with Australian Standard AS 2187.1:1998 Explosives – Storage, transport and use – Storage, clause 2.6.2.
Clause 2.6.2.6 of AS 2187.1:1998 describes firefighting systems for underground fixed magazines.
Applicable references to fire protection deluge systems are Australian Standard AS 2118.3:1997 Automatic fire sprinkler systems – Deluge and National Fire Protection Association Code NFPA 15, 2007 Standard for water spray fixed systems for fire protection.