U.S. Congressional Committee Votes to Recognize Wireless Mesh Technology in New Mine Law
TORONTO, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — A US Congressional committee voted today to add wireless mesh technology as a benchmark for underground communication and tracking systems, as part of amendments to new federal mine safety legislation, Active Control Technology Inc. (TSX-V:ACT) reports.
The U.S. House of Representatives’ Education & Labor Committee voted to amend the S-MINER Act of 2007 to include wireless mesh technology as a communications and tracking system for post-accident communications and to locate trapped underground miners.
Active Control, which uses 100% wireless mesh technology in ActiveMine(TM), a two-way voice communications, data and locating system for mines, has been a strong proponent of this change. Today’s committee vote was a significant milestone in the process under which US legislators consider bills for passage into law.
“We’re glad to see that US policy makers have recognized wireless mesh technology as they seek to improve mine safety,” said ACT President and CEO Steve Barrett. “We believe our system provides significant benefits for locating and communicating with miners in both emergency situations and day-to-day operations.”
The amendment proposed by Chairman George Miller (D-CA) incorporates the following language in the S-MINER Act:
Not later than 120 days after the enactment of the S-MINER Act, a plan shall, to be in approved status, provide for a post accident communication system between underground and surface personnel, and for an electronic tracking system permitting surface personnel to determine the location of any persons trapped underground, that utilizes a system as least as effective as a ‘leaky feeder’ or wireless mesh type communication and tracking system currently in use in the industry. These systems shall be enhanced physically, electronically, or redundantly, to improve their survivability in the event of a mine disaster. In addition, to be in approved status, an emergency response plan must be revised promptly to incorporate new technology which the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health certifies can be added to the existing system to improve its ability to facilitate post-accident communication with or tracking of miners. No miner shall be disciplined based on information obtained from an electronic communications and tracking system.
About Active Control Technology
ACT designs and markets wireless network control and communication systems for buildings and extreme environments. Located in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, the company trades publicly on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ACT. For more information, visit the company’s website at http://www.activecontrol.com/.
We make wireless work.(TM) The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Active Control Technology Inc.
CONTACT: Steve Barrett, President & C.E.O., Active Control TechnologyInc., Tel.: (905) 670-5500 ext. 202, Fax: (905) 592-9691, Email:sbarrett@activecontrol.com, Website: http://www.activecontrol.com/; Don Hogarth,Hogarth Communications Inc., for ACT, Tel.: (416) 565-8920, Email:dhogarth@sympatico.ca