Skip to Main Content

For workplace safety and health, please call 800-321-6742; for mine safety and health, please call 800-746-1553; for Job Corps, please call 800-733-5627 and for Wage and Hour, please call 1-866-487-9243 (1 866-4-US-WAGE). This website is currently not being updated due to the suspension of Federal government services. The last update to the site was 10/1/2025. Updates to the site will start again when the Federal government resumes operations.

U.S. Department of Labor Seal U.S. Department of Labor

MSHA Fire Suppression and Fire Protection Advisor

You have selected underground electrical equipment, compressors and pumps, compressors 5 HP and over, and other areas of mine.

The Advisor indicates that this is allowed.

The minimum requirements are:

1. Continously attended.75.344(a)(1)
OR
Be enclosed in noncombustible structure or area and vented to return with sensors to monitor for heat and for CO or smoke. Thesensors shall deenergize power to the compressor, activate alarms and activate doors to enclose the area.75.344(a)(2)

2. Be equipped with a heat activated fire suppression system meeting requirements of 75.1107-3 thru 75.1107-16.75.344(b)

3. Compressor automatically shut off by fire suppression system.75.344(d)

4. Two 2A:10B:C portable fire extinguishers or one having at least twice the minimum capacity.75.344(c)

Additional text of the regulations and text in the Program Policy Manual not included in this Advisor may be relevant for compliance decisions. This answer may not address all particular situations which may occur at your mine. Please contact your local MSHA District Manager for more specific guidance.

Please return to the Main Menu to submit another inquiry.

MSHA | MSHA Fire Suppression and Fire Protection Advisor
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR