{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/45.2-837.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/45.2-837.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/45.2-837.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/45.2-837.html"}],"law_id":81164,"edition_id":1,"section_id":81164,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-837","catch_line":" Bleeder systems","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 45-60.4; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, \u00a7 45.1-56; 1968, c. 310; 1978, c. 120; 1993, c. 442; 1994, c. 28, \u00a7 45.1-161.220; 1996, c. 774; 1999, c. 256; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","full_text":"A\n\nEvery mine shall have a system, approved by the Chief, of bleeder openings of air courses designed to provide positive movement of air through or around worked-out areas. Such system shall be sufficient to prevent a hazardous accumulation of gas in any such area and to minimize the effect of variations in atmospheric pressure. Each operator shall submit a bleeder system plan that complies with requirements developed by the Chief.B\n\nThe system requirements developed by the Chief shall, at a minimum, address standards for (i) supplemental roof supports, (ii) water accumulation, (iii) continuous movement of gases from gob areas, (iv) methane content, (v) the use and operation of degasification systems, (vi) air flow direction and content, and (vii) ventilation controls. The Chief shall not approve a plan that provides for a methane content exceeding 4.5 percent in bleeder air courses.C\n\nThis section shall not prohibit the sealing of worked-out areas in accordance with &#xA7; 45.2-845. The mine map requirements of &#xA7; 45.2-542 may be used to depict bleeder system standards specified in this section.D\n\nFailure to comply with an approved plan is a violation of this section.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":290930,"text":"Every mine shall have a system, approved by the Chief, of bleeder openings of air courses designed to provide positive movement of air through or around worked-out areas. Such system shall be sufficient to prevent a hazardous accumulation of gas in any such area and to minimize the effect of variations in atmospheric pressure. Each operator shall submit a bleeder system plan that complies with requirements developed by the Chief.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":290931,"text":"The system requirements developed by the Chief shall, at a minimum, address standards for (i) supplemental roof supports, (ii) water accumulation, (iii) continuous movement of gases from gob areas, (iv) methane content, (v) the use and operation of degasification systems, (vi) air flow direction and content, and (vii) ventilation controls. The Chief shall not approve a plan that provides for a methane content exceeding 4.5 percent in bleeder air courses.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":290932,"text":"This section shall not prohibit the sealing of worked-out areas in accordance with &#xA7; 45.2-845. The mine map requirements of &#xA7; 45.2-542 may be used to depict bleeder system standards specified in this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":290933,"text":"Failure to comply with an approved plan is a violation of this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14031,"edition_id":1,"name":"Ventilation, Mine Gases, and Other Hazardous Conditions","identifier":"4","label":"article","depth":5,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14030,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:38","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:38","permalink":{"id":223537,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14031,"identifier":"4","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4","url":"\/45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14030,"edition_id":1,"name":"Requirements Applicable to Underground Coal Mines; Electricity, Safety, Etc","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12986,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:38","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:38","permalink":{"id":223425,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14030,"identifier":"8","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8","url":"\/45.2\/II\/B\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12986,"edition_id":1,"name":"Underground Coal Mines","identifier":"B","label":"part","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12985,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","permalink":{"id":223095,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12986,"identifier":"B","token":"45.2\/II\/B","url":"\/45.2\/II\/B\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12985,"edition_id":1,"name":"Coal Mining","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12713,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","permalink":{"id":222647,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12985,"identifier":"II","token":"45.2\/II","url":"\/45.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12713,"edition_id":1,"name":"Mines, Minerals, and Energy","identifier":"45.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":222539,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12713,"identifier":"45.2","token":"45.2","url":"\/45.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":61647,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-826","catch_line":" Pre-shift examinations","url":"\/45.2-826\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-826","metadata":false},{"id":75532,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-827","catch_line":" On-shift examinations","url":"\/45.2-827\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-827","metadata":false},{"id":84889,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-828","catch_line":" Weekly examinations","url":"\/45.2-828\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-828","metadata":false},{"id":55121,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-829","catch_line":" Examinations of fans","url":"\/45.2-829\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-829","metadata":false},{"id":78974,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-830","catch_line":" Record of examinations","url":"\/45.2-830\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-830","metadata":false},{"id":73101,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-831","catch_line":" Notice of hazardous conditions","url":"\/45.2-831\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-831","metadata":false},{"id":56771,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-832","catch_line":" Notice of monitor tampering prohibition","url":"\/45.2-832\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-832","metadata":false},{"id":84902,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-833","catch_line":" Main fans","url":"\/45.2-833\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-833","metadata":false},{"id":64758,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-834","catch_line":" Fan stoppage plan","url":"\/45.2-834\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-834","metadata":false},{"id":61736,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-835","catch_line":" Auxiliary fans","url":"\/45.2-835\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-835","metadata":false},{"id":78287,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-836","catch_line":" Quantity of air","url":"\/45.2-836\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-836","metadata":false},{"id":81164,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-837","catch_line":" Bleeder systems","url":"\/45.2-837\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-837","metadata":false},{"id":55504,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-838","catch_line":" Coursing of air","url":"\/45.2-838\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-838","metadata":false},{"id":75203,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-839","catch_line":" Actions for excessive methane","url":"\/45.2-839\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-839","metadata":false},{"id":75918,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-840","catch_line":" Crosscuts","url":"\/45.2-840\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-840","metadata":false},{"id":78688,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-841","catch_line":" Permanent stoppings","url":"\/45.2-841\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-841","metadata":false},{"id":86254,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-842","catch_line":" Ventilation controls","url":"\/45.2-842\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-842","metadata":false},{"id":59441,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-843","catch_line":" Line brattice","url":"\/45.2-843\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-843","metadata":false},{"id":70834,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-844","catch_line":" Ventilation with air from certain areas","url":"\/45.2-844\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-844","metadata":false},{"id":64318,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-845","catch_line":" Worked-out areas","url":"\/45.2-845\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-845","metadata":false},{"id":74385,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-846","catch_line":" Air quality","url":"\/45.2-846\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-846","metadata":false},{"id":71388,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-847","catch_line":" Examination of mine for explosive gas and other hazardous conditions","url":"\/45.2-847\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-847","metadata":false},{"id":86482,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-848","catch_line":" Tampering with methane monitoring devices prohibited; penalty","url":"\/45.2-848\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-848","metadata":false},{"id":66298,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-849","catch_line":" Allowing persons to work in mine where methane monitoring equipment disconnected; penalty","url":"\/45.2-849\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-849","metadata":false},{"id":77699,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-850","catch_line":" Intentionally bypassing a safety device; prohibition","url":"\/45.2-850\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-850","metadata":false},{"id":68872,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-851","catch_line":" Control of coal dust","url":"\/45.2-851\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-851","metadata":false},{"id":79750,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-852","catch_line":" Rock dusting","url":"\/45.2-852\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-852","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":78287,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-836","catch_line":" Quantity of air","url":"\/45.2-836\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-836","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":55504,"structure_id":14031,"section_number":"45.2-838","catch_line":" Coursing of air","url":"\/45.2-838\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-838","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/45.2-837\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1954, chapter 191; in 1966, chapter 594; in 1968, chapter 310; in 1978, chapter 120; in 1993, chapter 442; in 1994, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?941+ful+CHAP0028\">28<\/a>; in 1996, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?961+ful+CHAP0774\">774<\/a>; in 1999, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?991+ful+CHAP0256\">256<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":69703,"section_number":"45.2-707","catch_line":" Mining in proximity to gas or oil wells","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-707\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":60294,"section_number":"45.2-542","catch_line":"(For contingent effective date, see Acts 2025, cc. 91 and 109, cl. 2) Maps of mines required to be made; contents; extension and preservation; use by Department; release; posting of map","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-542\/"},{"id":64318,"section_number":"45.2-845","catch_line":" Worked-out areas","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-845\/"}],"permalink":{"id":223583,"object_type":"law","relational_id":81164,"identifier":"45.2-837","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-837","url":"\/45.2-837\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/45.2-837\/","token":"45.2\/II\/B\/8\/4\/45.2-837","dublin_core":{"Title":" Bleeder systems","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 45.2-837","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> Every mine shall have a system, approved by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Chief<\/span>, of bleeder openings of air courses designed to provide positive movement of air through or around worked-out areas. Such system shall be sufficient to prevent a hazardous accumulation of gas in any such area and to minimize the effect of variations in atmospheric pressure. Each operator shall submit a bleeder system plan that complies with requirements developed by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Chief<\/span>. <a id=\"paragraph-290930\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-837\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> The system requirements developed by the <span class=\"dictionary\">Chief<\/span> shall, at a minimum, address standards for (i) supplemental roof supports, (ii) water accumulation, (iii) continuous movement of gases from gob areas, (iv) methane content, (v) the use and operation of degasification systems, (vi) air flow direction and content, and (vii) ventilation controls. The <span class=\"dictionary\">Chief<\/span> shall not approve a plan that provides for a methane content exceeding 4.5 percent in bleeder air courses. <a id=\"paragraph-290931\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-837\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> This section shall not prohibit the sealing of worked-out areas in accordance with &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\" Worked-out areas\" href=\"\/45.2-845\/\">45.2-845<\/a>. The mine map requirements of &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"(For contingent effective date, see Acts 2025, cc. 91 and 109, cl. 2) Maps of mines required to be made; contents; extension and preservation; use by Department; release; posting of map\" href=\"\/45.2-542\/\">45.2-542<\/a> may be used to depict bleeder system standards specified in this section. <a id=\"paragraph-290932\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-837\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> Failure to comply with an approved plan is a violation of this section. <a id=\"paragraph-290933\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/45.2-837\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n BLEEDER SYSTEMS (\u00a7 45.2-837)\n\nA. Every mine shall have a system, approved by the Chief, of bleeder openings of\nair courses designed to provide positive movement of air through or around\nworked-out areas. Such system shall be sufficient to prevent a hazardous\naccumulation of gas in any such area and to minimize the effect of variations in\natmospheric pressure. Each operator shall submit a bleeder system plan that\ncomplies with requirements developed by the Chief.\n\nB. The system requirements developed by the Chief shall, at a minimum, address\nstandards for (i) supplemental roof supports, (ii) water accumulation, (iii)\ncontinuous movement of gases from gob areas, (iv) methane content, (v) the use\nand operation of degasification systems, (vi) air flow direction and content,\nand (vii) ventilation controls. The Chief shall not approve a plan that provides\nfor a methane content exceeding 4.5 percent in bleeder air courses.\n\nC. This section shall not prohibit the sealing of worked-out areas in accordance\nwith &#xA7; 45.2-845. The mine map requirements of &#xA7; 45.2-542 may be used\nto depict bleeder system standards specified in this section.\n\nD. Failure to comply with an approved plan is a violation of this section.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 45-60.4; 1954, c. 191; 1966, c. 594, \u00a7 45.1-56; 1968, c.\n310; 1978, c. 120; 1993, c. 442; 1994, c. 28, \u00a7 45.1-161.220; 1996, c. 774;\n1999, c. 256; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 387.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}