Section 690-231 - Crosscuts and stoppings(a) Maximum distance.--(1) The distance driven to establish ventilation connections between entries or rooms shall not exceed 200 linear feet. Where adequate ventilation is provided, the entry or room may be driven in conjunction with the new air connection, provided that the distance to either face does not exceed 200 linear feet when the new air connection is established.(2) In no case shall any place be driven a total of more than 200 linear feet unless ventilation connections have been established, except as provided under this act.(3) Where adequate ventilation can be provided, the department may give written permission to authorize a greater distance.(b) Closure of crosscuts.--Crosscuts between intakes and return air courses shall be closed, except the one nearest the face. Crosscuts between rooms shall be closed, where necessary or when required by the department, to provide adequate ventilation at the working face.(c) Air connections.--Where practicable, an air connection shall be provided at or near the face of each entry or room before the place is abandoned.(d) Excavations.--Excavations shall not exceed 18 feet in depth, unless permission is obtained from the department to drive a greater distance beyond the last open crosscut, if such excavations are kept free of accumulations of methane by use of line brattice or other adequate means.(e) Construction materials of stoppings.--A permanent stopping shall be built of solid, substantial, incombustible material, including, but not limited to, concrete, concrete blocks, bricks, steel or tile, provided that, where physical conditions exist because of caving that makes the use of concrete, concrete blocks, brick, steel or tile impracticable, timber laid longitudinally skin-to-skin or an approved substitute may be used. A temporary stopping may be erected in cut-throughs near the working face. A stopping shall be reasonably airtight.(f) Building and maintenance.--A permanent stopping or other permanent ventilation control device shall be built and maintained as follows: (1) Between intake and return air courses, except temporary controls may be used in rooms that are 600 feet or less from the centerline of the entry from which the room was developed, including where continuous face haulage systems are used in the rooms. Unless otherwise approved in the ventilation plan, the stopping or control shall be maintained to and including the third connecting crosscut outby the working face.(2) To separate belt conveyor haulageways from intake air courses when the air in the intake air courses is used to provide air to active working places, except temporary ventilation controls may be used in rooms that are 600 feet or less from the centerline of the entry from which the rooms were developed, including where continuous face haulage systems are used in the rooms. When continuous face haulage systems are used, a permanent stopping or other device shall be built and maintained to the outby most point of travel of the dolly or 600 feet from the point of deepest penetration in the conveyor belt entry, whichever distance is closer to the point of deepest penetration, to separate the continuous haulage entry from the intake entries.2008, July 7, P.L. 654, No. 55, §231, effective in 180 days [ 1/5/2009].