Periodic Testing of Breathing and Reviving Apparatus at Mine Rescue Stations – DGMS & Mines Rescue Rules, 1985

🏗️ Detailed Notes

1️⃣ Introduction

Breathing apparatus and reviving apparatus are life-saving equipment essential during mine emergencies such as fires, explosions, and irrespirable atmospheres. To ensure their reliability, all such apparatus maintained at Rescue Stations and Rescue Rooms must undergo periodic testing and inspection as per Mines Rescue Rules, 1985 (Rule 30–33) and DGMS circulars. DGMS emphasizes that faulty or untested breathing apparatus can endanger rescuers and must never be deployed without verification.

2️⃣ Relevant Legislation

Rule/Regulation	Description
Mines Rescue Rules, 1985 – Rule 30	Testing & maintenance of breathing apparatus.
Rule 31	Testing of reviving apparatus and other rescue equipment.
Rule 32	Maintenance of records and test registers.
DGMS (Tech.) Circular 01/2002 & 08/2015	Guidelines for apparatus approval, inspection, and record maintenance.

3️⃣ Equipment Covered

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
Oxygen Re-breather Sets
Reviving Apparatus (Oxygen Resuscitators)
Rescue Communication Equipment
Cylinders and Valves
Face Masks, Hoses, Reducers, Gauges, and Safety Valves

4️⃣ Objectives of Periodic Testing

Ensure apparatus functions reliably under emergency conditions.
Detect leaks, corrosion, or defective parts.
Verify pressure-holding capacity of cylinders.
Maintain DGMS compliance and rescue readiness.
Guarantee that trained rescue personnel use tested equipment only.

5️⃣ Frequency of Testing (as per DGMS & MRR 1985)

Apparatus Type	Testing Frequency	Responsible Authority
Breathing Apparatus (O₂ Re-breather)	Every month	Officer-in-Charge, Rescue Station
Reviving Apparatus	Every quarter	Station In-charge / Medical Officer
Cylinders	Hydraulic test every 5 years (as per Gas Cylinder Rules, 2016)	Approved testing station
Valves, Gauges, Reducers	Functional test every 3 months	Trained technician
Masks, Hoses, and Connectors	Visual inspection every month	Rescue team captain

6️⃣ Standard Testing Procedures

(a) Leak Test: Apply mild soap solution to joints and connections. Observe bubbles under pressure for leakage detection.

(b) Pressure Retention Test: Apparatus pressurized to rated working pressure (e.g., 200 bar). Pressure drop observed over 10 minutes – not more than 10 bar allowed.

(c) Functional Test: Wearer dons apparatus for 10 minutes under breathing load. Ensure valves, regulator, and demand system operate correctly.

(d) Reviving Apparatus Test: Test oxygen flow rate (usually 6–8 L/min). Check mask seal, tubing, and valve operation.

7️⃣ Record Keeping

All test results must be entered in Form R-5 (Apparatus Testing Register).
Records signed by the Officer-in-Charge of the Rescue Station.
Faulty apparatus must be withdrawn and marked “NOT FOR USE.”
After repair, retesting is mandatory before reuse.

8️⃣ DGMS Recommendations

Test all apparatus before and after every actual use.
Maintain a tagging system indicating last test date.
Use only DGMS-approved repair agencies.
Conduct annual calibration of pressure gauges and flow meters.
Train rescue room staff in testing and record procedures.

⚡ Quick One-Liners (Revision Points)

MRR 1985 governs mine rescue apparatus testing.
Rule 30 & 31 specify testing frequency.
Monthly test – Breathing apparatus.
Quarterly test – Reviving apparatus.
Cylinder hydraulic test – every 5 years.
Leak and pressure tests mandatory.
Record in Form R-5 register.
DGMS Circular 01/2002 gives apparatus guidelines.
Faulty sets must be withdrawn.
Rescue officer ensures compliance.

🧠 Descriptive Model Question & Answer

Q. Explain the periodic testing procedure of breathing and reviving apparatus maintained at rescue stations and rescue rooms as per the Mines Rescue Rules, 1985.

Answer:
According to Rules 30–33 of the Mines Rescue Rules, 1985, every rescue station and rescue room must maintain all breathing and reviving apparatus in a tested and serviceable condition. The testing procedure includes: Monthly inspection of breathing apparatus for leaks, pressure loss, and operational performance; Quarterly testing of reviving apparatus for oxygen flow rate and mask integrity; Cylinder hydraulic testing every 5 years under the Gas Cylinder Rules, 2016; and Functional tests under simulated breathing load by trained personnel. Records of each test are entered in Form R-5 and verified by the Officer-in-Charge. Apparatus found defective is withdrawn, repaired, and re-tested before reuse. DGMS further directs that all apparatus must be tested before and after each actual rescue operation to ensure safety and reliability.

🎯 25 MCQs – Periodic Testing of Breathing & Reviving Apparatus

Q1. Rules governing rescue apparatus testing:

A. Mines Rescue Rules, 1985 B. CMR 2017 C. MMR 1961 D. None

Q2. Rule for breathing apparatus testing:

A. Rule 30 B. Rule 20 C. Rule 10 D. None

Q3. Rule for reviving apparatus testing:

A. Rule 31 B. Rule 33 C. Rule 29 D. None

Q4. Frequency of breathing apparatus testing:

A. Monthly B. Weekly C. Quarterly D. None

Q5. Frequency of reviving apparatus testing:

A. Quarterly B. Monthly C. Annually D. None

Q6. Cylinder hydraulic test interval:

A. 5 years B. 1 year C. 10 years D. None

Q7. Standard testing pressure:

A. 1.5 × working pressure B. 1 × working pressure C. None

Q8. Working pressure of oxygen cylinder:

A. 200 bar B. 50 bar C. 100 bar D. None

Q9. Record of testing kept in:

A. Form R-5 B. Form R-3 C. Form B D. None

Q10. DGMS circular for apparatus approval:

A. 01/2002 B. 08/2017 C. 05/2018 D. None

Q11. Leak test performed using:

A. Soap solution B. Oil C. Water only D. None

Q12. Pressure retention test duration:

A. 10 minutes B. 5 minutes C. 30 seconds D. None

Q13. Reviving apparatus oxygen flow rate:

A. 6–8 L/min B. 2 L/min C. 10 L/min D. None

Q14. Apparatus must be tested:

A. Before & after actual use B. Only before use C. Never D. None

Q15. Testing supervised by:

A. Officer-in-Charge, Rescue Station B. Overman C. Manager D. None

Q16. Faulty apparatus must be:

A. Withdrawn & tagged “Not for Use” B. Used until failure C. Ignored D. None

Q17. Calibration of gauges:

A. Annually B. Monthly C. 5 years D. None

Q18. Gas Cylinder Rules latest update:

A. 2016 B. 2010 C. 2005 D. None

Q19. Rescue room staff must be:

A. Trained in apparatus testing B. Untrained C. None

Q20. Apparatus failure indicates:

A. Immediate withdrawal B. Continued use C. Ignored D. None

Q21. Minimum test record retention period:

A. 3 years B. 1 year C. 10 years D. None

Q22. Reviving apparatus used for:

A. Restoring respiration B. Firefighting C. Cooling D. None

Q23. Test pressure of 200 bar cylinder:

A. 300 bar B. 200 bar C. 250 bar D. None

Q24. DGMS-approved test station required for:

A. Hydraulic test B. Painting C. Cleaning D. None

Q25. Purpose of periodic testing:

A. Ensure apparatus reliability & DGMS compliance B. Save time C. Reduce paperwork D. None

🔗 Internal Linking Suggestions

Related Topic	Read More On...
Mine Rescue Rules	Mines Rescue Rules, 1985 - Notes & MCQs
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DGMS Circulars	DGMS Approval Circular No. 01 of 2020

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