Don’t gamble with the lives of your workers underground.
Introducing: RefugeME, the most fit for purpose underground Refuge Chambers on the market.
RefugeME underground Refuge Chambers provide a safe haven for miners in the event of an emergency underground. They are designed for optimum performance and engineered with safety in mind- not only for Chamber users, but also for maintenance personnel. Featuring a digital gas monitoring system with full network connectivity, highly effective air scrubbing systems, full CCTV video surveillance and two way video communication, coupled with simple activation, RefugeME underground Refuge Chambers are an essential asset to every mine site.
IMPROVE SAFETY & COST EFFICIENCY
RefugeME Chambers are engineered with safety in mind, featuring removable battery packs at the front of the chambers, and an innovative design which helps to extend the chambers battery life by passing cool air over the batteries. Transport of the refuge chambers in and around mine sites is also made safe and simple with the availability of skids, forklift slots and lifting lugs.
Designed by Wattrix and constructed by Murray Engineering, RefugeME Underground Mine Refuge Chambers are compliant with all applicable guidelines, and are constructed in accordance with Murray Engineering’s ISO certifications (ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001).
There are several sizes to choose from with 4, 6, 12, 14 and 20 personnel chambers available.
The design provides very simple activation in the event of an emergency as well as an inbuilt air scrubber system. Additional compressed air supplies are provided to ensure that the provision of safe and clean breathing air is uncompromised at all times during operation. The gas detection system continuously monitors internal atmosphere, alarming occupants of toxic gas and oxygen deficiencies both visually and acoustically.
In an underground mine site emergency, external power or air services to the refuge chambers may be lost, which is why RefugeME emergency refuge chambers are designed to operate independently of externally supplied power and services. The breathing air regeneration system provides clean breathing air, a large battery bank provides power for the emergency system and the climate control system keeps the chamber’s interior temperature and humidity at a safe level.
RefugeME chambers are proudly designed, fabricated, and constructed in Australia, and are suitable for underground mining conditions both in Australia and globally.
Underground Refuge Chamber Digitalization
RefugeME Chambers are equipped with state-of-the-art digital systems which provide remote monitoring of critical functions for both maintenance and emergency purposes. These systems simultaneously allow users to operate the chamber effectively underground, whilst control teams monitor the chamber from the surface. Not only do these features aid workers in emergencies, but they can also be utilised during routine maintenance to monitor battery status, communicate with maintenance workers, and protect the chamber from unauthorized entry and misuse. These systems include:
- In-chamber gas level monitoring
- Real-time network connectivity
- Video surveillance
- Battery monitoring
REMOTE MONITORING & VIDEO SURVEILLANCE
The embedded computer system is equipped with a touchscreen HMI display panel, and network connectivity allows the chambers to be ‘always online’. A fully integrated gas level monitoring system with remote monitoring capabilities is fitted, and the high-quality electronic gas sensors have a minimum 5-year endurance. No human intervention is needed to operate the system with the automated start-up, continuous acquisition, and reporting functions.
A real-time video surveillance system enables continuous video streaming in high resolution to monitor activity inside the chamber, both while it is in use and unoccupied. This continuous monitoring system can track occupants through facial and automatic motion detection, and once detected an automated notice can be forwarded to the central control station, with two-way live video and audio communication between the chamber and the control station. This innovative system enables mines to closely monitor their Refuge Chamber assets and discourage misuse.
The battery monitoring system allows for automatic, continuous monitoring of battery status, charging/load power status, temperature, and ‘fuel gauge’ energy endurance estimation. An automated email is sent if any battery or charging issues are detected.
This system can also be scaled up to remotely monitor/control gas valves, ventilation flows and other aspects of the chamber as required.
Murray Engineering’s Electrical Division stands behind the RefugeME Chamber as the most fit-for-purpose Underground Refuge Chamber on the market in Australia.
View the brochure to the left to see more detail, or visit our Products and Services Catalogue Page to see other systems available from Murray Engineering.
VICTORIAN TUNNELLING CENTRE PARTNERSHIP
Want to step inside one of our incredible RefugeME Chambers, in a realistic tunnel environment?
Contact us to organise a visit to our 20-person RefugeME Underground Refuge Chamber located at the Victorian Tunnelling Centre.
The Victorian Tunnelling Centre is located at the Holmesglen Institute’s Drummond Street campus in Chadstone, where it offers specialist training to workers in the construction and operation of a variety of tunnels and tunnel infrastructure for the rail, road, and utility industries.
To find out more about the Holmesglen Tunnelling Centre, head to their website here: www.holmesglen.edu.au
