PITTSBURGH, November 13, 2003 – Mine Safety Appliances Company (AMEX: MSA) today announced it has formed a strategic alliance with SPECTRONIX Ltd. to market the next generation of plant-wide monitoring systems for detecting flames as well as combustible and toxic gases. Terms were not disclosed.

Under the agreement, the two companies will share technology and production expertise for detection systems that incorporate open-path infrared (OPIR) and IR 3 technologies. These include the new OPIR optical gas detector SafEye 700 Xenon System and the new Flamegard IR 3 XI optical flame detector. Extremely versatile, these systems utilize infrared optics to detect potentially hazardous conditions across distances as far as 120 meters, making them ideal for use in such places as storage vessels, refineries, pipelines and ventilation ducts.

These technologies were first used in the oil production industry, primarily in offshore drilling platforms to alert personnel of the presence of potentially hazardous situations. Today, the technology is finding broad application in refineries, chemical plants, petrochemical facilities, the transportation industry and pharmaceutical production.

Among the products MSA expects to market under the alliance are the SafEye 700 Xenon System and the FlameGard IR 3 XI Detector.

The SafEye 700 Xenon System is the next generation in MSA’s well-established line of SafEye open-path gas detectors used throughout the world. Utilizing OPIR technology, the system is able to detect a variety of combustible gases over a path of up to 120 meters while withstanding extreme environmental conditions. Such capabilities make the system highly suitable for refinery and oil production applications.

The FlameGard IR 3 XI Detector incorporates SPECTRONIX’s Triple Infra Red (IR 3 ) technology. Leading oil and gas companies are currently using this technology as the flame detection system of choice, particularly in the North Sea region, which contains Europe’s largest oil and natural gas reserves.

With this alliance MSA and SPECTRONIX strengthen their presence in the fire, gas and safety systems marketplace by adding cutting-edge OPIR and flame-detection  technologies as new core competencies for personal and plant-wide protection.

" We are very excited about the prospects of adding this new technology to MSA’s already strong product portfolio,” said James H. Baillie, corporate vice president and president of MSA EUROPE. Mr. Baillie added that the alliance will provide MSA with new means to expand its gas detection system business globally.

"Our 28 international affiliates and their ability to provide safety solutions to customers throughout the world is one of MSA's greatest strengths," he said. "When you combine this global resource with the product knowledge, technology and manufacturing expertise from SPECTRONIX, the result is a perfect fit that creates broad benefits for our customers, shareholders and employees."

Yechiel Spector, president of SPECTRONIX, added, “We are very pleased and proud of this accomplishment and look forward to a long-lasting and successful relationship with MSA.”

Established in 1914, MSA is the world's leading provider of quality products and services that protect people's health and safety and the environment. The company has annual sales of about $550 million, manufacturing operations throughout the United States and Europe and 28 international affiliates.

SPECTRONIX was founded in 1972 and is a pioneer in UV/IR and Triple IR (IR 3 ) flame detection and open-path flash type gas detection technology and a global leader in designing, integrating and supplying cost effective, highly reliable fire and gas detectors for industrial and offshore applications.