§ 29.61 - Testing requirements.

(a) Portable coal dust/rock dust analyzers shall be tested to ensure that they meet the minimum construction and performance requirements set forth in §§ 29.51, 29.52, and 29.60.

(b) The sampling materials listed in Table A shall be used in testing the capability of the indicating device of the portable coal dust/rock dust analyzer to measure incombustible content as specified in § 29.60(b).

(c) The indicating device of the analyzer being tested shall be within ±3 percent of the chemically determined incombustible content for 80 percent of the standard samples and inspector's samples listed in Table B.

(d) In preparing sampling materials for testing, all sampling materials shall be:

(1) Air equilibrated;

(2) Carefully mixed to minimize segregation or degradation;

(3) Stored in moisture- and air-tight containers to prevent oxidation and drying; and,

(4) Analyzed for percent incombustible content within ±1 percent, by chemical analysis.

(e) In order to determine the reliability and utility of the analyzer, personnel of MSHA shall field test the instrument for 1 month in various underground coal mines, in accordance with the applicant's operating and maintenance instructions.

(f) MSHA may conduct any additional field testing it deems necessary.