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Mitigate fire and explosions dangers in coal mines with the updated provisions in the 2010 NFPA 120.

NFPA 120: Standard for Fire Prevention and Control in Coal Mines provides requirements to safeguard lives and property from fire and explosion in underground bituminous coal mines, coal preparation plants that prepare coal for shipment, surface buildings and facilities associated with coal mining and preparation, and surface coal and lignite mines.

Changes in the 2010 edition include:

--New requirements for managing the spontaneous combustion potential of the coal being mined, including adding an inspection plan for carbon monoxide detection systems.
--References to the inspection and maintenance practices of fire suppression systems in applicable standards, including NFPA 11, NFPA 13, NFPA 14, NFPA 17, and NFPA 25.
--Improved fire protection for transformers by referencing NFPA 70®: National Electrical Code®, and adding a reference to NFPA 850: Recommended Practice for Fire Protection for Electric Generating Plants and High Voltage Direct Current Converter Stations as Annex material.
--Revisions to make the Standard consistent with fire protection industry practices and the updated provisions in the 2010 NFPA 122: Fire Prevention and Control in Metal/Nonmetal Mining and Metal Mineral Processing Facilities.

Coal mines have unique fire prevention and fire protection issues. Maximize safety for people and property by applying the industry's latest criteria as presented in the 2010 NFPA 120.