Published in the March 2006 American Longwall Magazine

Georgia-based Hazard Control Technologies was founded in 1997 and introduced the F-500 fire suppression agent, with encapsulator technology, as one of its first products. It was originally developed for and marketed to municipal fire departments for Class A (structures, coal, rubber) and Class B (flammable liquid) fires.

But the company wasn’t content staying within the boundaries of that niche for long and soon began exploring other markets.

“Over time, our understanding of the wide range of benefits F-500 provides – and recognition of the unique needs by customers in different markets – grew, so we dramatically expanded the scope of its applications, as well as company-provided services,” said company vice-president Fred Love. “Since our founding in 1997, HCT has experienced significant growth in our F-500 business by solving our clients’ problems in a wide array of industries all over the world.”

From a coal industry perspective, that effort has proven fruitful for the company. A member of the Powder River Basin Coal Users’ Group, HCT entered the PRB coal scene by supplying F-500 Encapsulator Technology to combat coal fires at power generation and coal transfer facilities. The company supplies its piercing rods for coal silo and storage pile area blazes and has portable and fixed systems for use in various areas, all of which deliver F-500.

The underground mining sector in particular, Love said, is one he feels HCT and its technology would work well with; and it’s an area in which they are increasing their focus.

Love said F-500’s three-pronged approach to fire suppression would be beneficial to underground needs, including rapid reduction of heat, encapsulation of hydrocarbon molecules (the encapsulator technology) and inhibiting soot/smoke formation.

“[This approach] provides rapid fire knockdown, rapid heat reduction, increased visibility and, ultimately, quick extinguishment”, Love said. Quick extinguishment equates to decreased damage and increased safety by rapid flame hazard elimination, explosive hydrocarbon vapor neutralization, improved visibility for evacuation and increased functionality for search and rescue teams when necessary.

“Would rapid heat reduction be beneficial to limiting the spread of a fire, thereby improving safety for the miners and benefiting rescue personnel? Absolutely. Would inhibiting smoke formation and increasing visibility be beneficial to personnel working to contain a fire hazard and a search and rescue operation? Absolutely.”

Love added that there are significant benefits to F-500 for mining operations, including ease in use. “No specialized equipment is required to deliver the product,” he said.

“F-500 is blended with water and delivered via traditional fire fighting equipment.” In fact, HCT has recently introduced a portable system that can be moved as needed by operations.

F-500 delivery systems are typically positioned near known danger areas, such as conveyor belts, for quick response when required. “Because it works on Class A and B materials, one product can be delivered that would combat a burning rubber conveyor belt, coal and any flammable liquids, such as lubricating oils.”

Finally, because of F-500’s Encapsulator Technology, hydrocarbon particulates and vapors present in the smoke commonly associated with underground fires can be pulled from the air to improve visibility by miners and rescuers alike. The technology also allows F-500 to neutralize flammable liquids before they can ignite, such as in an accidental spill situation.

It is that technology, Love says, that makes F-500 unique and superior. “[These properties] separate F-500 from the rest of the pack. Based on repeat business, our customers obviously believe F-500 is the best product out there for their applications.”

And it is their involvement with the PRB sector, Love said, that solidifies them in the industry – they’re here to stay. “A lot of our experience with coal is related to PRB. We want to share that experience and knowledge with the underground mining industry to develop solutions that improve safety.”