AITEMIN
AITEMIN is a Research Association of a private and non-profit nature, established in Spain in 1977. As an Association, it is constituted by more than fifty entities of different types, including industrial companies, national and regional administrations and other research institutions. AITEMIN is recognized as "Center for Innovation and Technology" (CIT) by the CICYT - Interministerial Commission for Science and Technology, and is a member of FEDIT - Spanish Federation of Innovation and Technology Entities. With an origin linked to the mining industry, AITEMIN currently develops research activities in many other sectors, such as construction materials and industries, civil engineering, explosives, fireworks, energy, waste management and environment.
In the field of underground fires, AITEMIN has designed, constructed an operated two underground test facilities for real scale testing, respectively for fires (Mina Escuela Bierzo, León ) and explosions (Barredo, Asturias), in which a number of research projects are being carried out, mainly related to the validation of modelling codes, to test extinction system, and to accident investigation. Currently AITEMIN is providing technical support to the
Asturias regional government for the construction of an experimental tunnel for conducting real scale ventilation and fire tests.