An early coal mining occupation where a worker intentionally ignited accumulations of explosive methane gas before the main shift arrived. Clothed in damp rags and holding a long pole with a lit candle, the fire damper would trigger small explosions to burn off the gas, a highly dangerous practice replaced by mechanical ventilation and safety lamps.
The fire damper went down the blind heading first to burn out the gas before the hewers entered.
Also heard as
- penitent
Related terms
Firedamp
A highly flammable mixture of methane gas and air found in coal mines.
Davy lamp
An early safety lamp designed to prevent explosions in gassy coal mines.
Afterdamp
The deadly mixture of toxic and suffocating gases left in a coal mine following an explosion.
Chokedamp
A dense, suffocating mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen that pools in low mine workings.