A technical overview of the use of urethane foam in United States underground mines is given. It is estimated that a small percentage (around 2%) of the over 2,400 underground mines presently have urethane foam in place; most of this foam was applied before 1980. The present use, potential hazards, manufacturers of, and methods to increase the safety of urethane foam in United States underground mines are summarized. Because of the Mine Safety and Health Administration's past efforts and experiences, urethane foam in underground mines in the United States is neither widespread nor perceived to be a major problem of concern.

This report is to provide specifications for a completely finished two-story building, 40 by 62 feet, and a one-story building, 30 by 50 feet, including foundation, building, air conditioning, electric heating, lighting and power, plumbing, partitions, floor tile, carpeting, ceiling, overhead under-slung crane, water, and drain lines. The intent of the specifications and drawings is to establish a quality and performance level for structural design, material, durability, and workmanship. The two-story and one-story, pre-engineered steel structure is to be erected as an extension to existing Building 0-38, Bruceton Station, U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration, South Park Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

An engineering evaluation was performed on hardwood stoppings, or "batteries," as they are referred to, constructed in anthracite coal mines. The evaluation investigated the structural and fire-resistant qualities of these ventilation control structures. Batteries, constructed using two layers of 1-inch oak planks lapped in the parallel direction, were judged to have the most favorable structural and fire-resistant characteristics when compared with perpendicular lapped 1-inch boards and/or full 2-inch thick oak planks. Rectangular hardwood batteries appear to have superior structural qualities and no less equivalent fire-resistant characteristics, for ventilation control applications, when compared to masonry block constructions of similar dimensions.