Long Term Field Evaluation Concept

The Long-Term Field Evaluation (LTFE) program for self-contained self-rescuers (SCSRs) for miners was initiated more than 20 years ago by the U.S. Bureau of Mines. The objective for the LTFE program is to obtain data to determine the expected performance characteristics of SCSRs used in the mining industry. LTFE program results based on scientific principles can provide useful information to monitor expected SCSR performance and assess possible degradation due to the physical stresses of in-mine use. Of utmost concern is the successful performance of any SCSR that passes its inspection criteria specified by the manufacturer. It is such apparatus that must be relied upon in an emergency. A meeting was held on March 22, 2007 in Moon Township, Pa and that information can be found below.

Meeting held at the Double Tree Pittsburgh Airport Hotel in Moon Township, PA on March 22, 2007

Notice (72 FR 13114); Public input opportunity; 3/20/07 [PDF - 982.30 KB]

Notice (72 FR 13496); A public meeting to provide input regarding the draft document, "Long-term field evaluation (LTFE) program concept"; 3/22/07 [PDF - 2.16 MB]

Letter to all interested parties from Heinz Ahlers (NPPTL) re: upcoming meeting; 3/1/07 [PDF - 666.96 KB]

Draft document for review: Long-term field evaluation program concept; 3/22/07 [PDF - 1.32 MB]

Meeting Information

Agenda for meeting in Pittsburgh, PA; 3/22/07 [PDF - 91.66 KB]

Presentation by Heinz Ahlers (NPPTL): LFTE critical parameters; 3/22/07 [PDF - 1.77 MB]

Presentation by Robert Stein (NPPTL): Long-term field evaluation; 3/22/07 [PDF - 3.96 MB]

Presentation by Doug Landsittel (NPPTL): Sampling plan and statistical considerations for the long-term field evaluation project; 3/22/07 [PDF - 2.77 MB]

Report of Investigations (RI) 9671: Self-contained self-rescuer long term field evaluation eighth and ninth phase results; NIOSH publication 2007-103; 10/2006 [PDF - 7.53 MB]

Report of Investigations (RI) 9675: Self-contained self-rescuer long term field evaluation tenth phase results; NIOSH Publication 2008-138; 6/2008 [PDF - 5.38 MB]

Submissions in order of receipt

Submission to the docket from Robert Sell (Drager) – 4/9/07 (4 pgs, 2.03 MB]

Submission to the docket from Mike Kay (Ocenco) – 5/1/07 [PDF - 503.06 KB]

Submission to the docket from Robert Sell (Drager) – 5/2/07 [PDF - 3.44 MB]

Submission to the docket from Patty Scheib (CSE Corporation) – 10/16/07 [PDF - 10.30 MB]