AYSAN Mine Refuge Chambers can be equipped with a dedicated double-door airlock designed to prevent contaminants from entering the main shelter during entry. This system works together with the chamber’s positive pressure environment to maintain clean, breathable air at all times.
When personnel enter the airlock, compressed air is discharged through a ball valve fitted with an automatic muffler (airlock flush valve). This flushing process removes dust, smoke, toxic gases, or other harmful contaminants that may be carried in from the mine atmosphere. A one-way check valve continuously vents the airlock to the outside, ensuring constant over-pressurization to further minimize intrusion risks.
For situations where mine air is unavailable or contaminated, the airlock includes three high-pressure breathing-air cylinders as a backup source. These cylinders are connected to a high-pressure manifold and activated by pressing the pneumatic control button. The first person entering the airlock opens the cylinders and prepares the regulator for the rest of the personnel.
Since every door opening poses a potential risk to the internal atmosphere, installing an airlock significantly increases overall chamber safety. By slowing or preventing the entry of harmful gases, the airlock ensures the refuge chamber maintains a safe breathing environment even under critical conditions.