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October 27, 2026 - AFEX Fire Suppression Systems, specialists in designing and manufacturing fire protection systems for heavy-duty mobile equipment, has achieved Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) certification for its Mine Permissible Fire Suppression System, designed for heavy-duty mobile equipment in U.S. underground coal mines. The MSHA-approved configuration gives mine operators another option for protecting people and critical equipment from fire in areas where permissible electrical equipment is required. It combines intrinsically safe electrical circuits and an explosion-proof firing mechanism with an MSHA-specific electric actuator.
Fire Protection Designed for the Underground Environment
 Underground coal mines can contain methane gas and combustible coal dust. Equipment used in these environments must address the potential to ignite the surrounding atmosphere as well as the fire hazards on the machine itself.
The AFEX Mine Permissible Fire Suppression System uses intrinsically safe electrical circuits designed to limit electrical and thermal energy so they do not ignite methane under the conditions covered by the approval. Its explosion-proof electric actuator provides protection against ignition of the surrounding atmosphere during actuation under the evaluated conditions.
Confined spaces and limited access can make an underground equipment fire difficult to respond to. Fire suppression system design must consider those conditions, the machine’s hazards, and the people operating and maintaining it.
“An equipment fire underground puts people and production at risk in an environment where responding can be difficult,” said Angel Diaz, Electrical Engineer at AFEX. “This certification gives mine operators another fire protection option designed for those conditions. It reflects years of engineering and testing by our team.”
A Dedicated AFEX System Configuration
AFEX developed the following components for its MSHA-approved Mine Permissible Fire Suppression System:
 The MSHA approval applies to this specific AFEX configuration. System selection, design, and installation must account for the equipment, its fire hazards, and the requirements of the intended operating area
A Multi-Year Commitment to Third-Party Certification
The MSHA approval follows five years of engineering, design refinement, and testing. This investment supports AFEX's commitment to third-party evaluation and fire suppression designed for the environments where heavy equipment operates.
The Mine Permissible Fire Suppression System is now available through AFEX’s authorized distributor network. To discuss the MSHA-approved configuration and fire protection for equipment operating in U.S. underground coal mines, contact your local AFEX distributor or visit www.afexsystems.com/products/mine-permissible-fire-suppression-system.
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