Feeling under pressure with BA?
Published: 01 April, 2006
Following studies with the Rotterdam Fire Brigade to determine the most effective method of weight distribution and body mounting of BA sets, leading BA manufacturer Draeger found that it was able to significantly reduce the likelihood of back injuries and reduce stress on the body.
Following studies with the Rotterdam Fire Brigade to determine the most effective method of weight distribution and body mounting of BA sets, leading BA manufacturer Draeger found that it was able to significantly reduce the likelihood of back injuries and reduce stress on the body.
“Recognising that BA is worn in dynamic applications where firefighters are required to move, bend and stretch, a sliding/pivoting waistbelt was introduced by Draeger to ensure free movement and allow for up to 80mm of spinal stretch,” reports Lesley Ashburner.
Because the average firefighter is required to carry three kilos of compressed air along with him or her, Draeger also looked at reducing cylinder weight.
Much lighter than traditional versions, carbon composite cylinders were developed and are now available in a number of different formats and configurations to suit different requirements (in fact Draeger is the only manufacturer to make its own carbon composite cylinders).
Communication is key
Just six years ago Draeger launched the next phase of fully integrated CABA: electronic monitoring. This saw the introduction of the DraegerMan Bodyguard and, five years later in April 2002, the DraegerMan Bodyguard II.
“The latest development is the PSS Merlin which has been designed to take the guesswork out of entry control and accountability procedures and bring a new level of monitoring and protection to firefighting applications,” says Lesley.
Fast and accurate, it incorporates an entry control board, the DraegerMan Bodyguard and a portable radio unit attached to the firefighter’s BA set.
Using radio technology to continuously transmit and receive data from up to 12 individual firefighters simultaneously, this self-contained, state-of-the-art electronic system is able to remotely monitor their exact status and safety from outside the incident.
Said to bring a new level of safety to airline users, the new Draeger Automatic Switch Over Valve (ASOV) enables users to connect compressed air breathing apparatus (CABA) to an external air supply, such as a factory ring main.
“Should the external supply fail, this innovative valve will then automatically, and without interruption, switch the air supply to the back-up CABA,” explains Lesley Ashburner.
Designed for use in those applications where a continuous flow of breathing air is essential, the ASOV is connected between the output of the CABA first stage pressure reducer and lung demand valve, and is attached to the primary airline supply by an additional input connection.
If this primary air source fails, or the input pressure drops below the ASOV’s switching pressure of 4 to 5 bar, the valve will automatically switch over and an alarm will sound to alert the user.
This warning will continue to sound until either the wearer leaves the hazardous area and removes the equipment, or the switching pressure is exceeded, at which point the valve will automatically switch back to the airline supply.
Providing maximum protection to the wearer, the Draeger ASOV has also been designed to maintain positive pressure within the facemask at all times during this switch over operation.
Meeting the requirements of prEN 14593 pt 1 and EN139, and approved for use with CABA to EN137 and EN402, the ASOV can operate in temperatures as low as -30°C and the airline connection can withstand up to 1000N pull test.
A quick fit version is available for easy integration with CABA and industrial chemical protection suits, and the ASOV can also be used in conjunction with chemical protection suit ventilation systems. More info? Visit: www.draeger.co.uk
New from MSA Europe - the alpha approach
Under the slogan ‘make sense technology’, MSA has released a new line of emergency service operation advances called the alpha series.
MSA’s alpha SCBA enhancements are focused on increasing safety, efficiency and incident capability, while the alpha personal network features electronic personal monitoring and telemetric capabilities. alpha technology is now available with both the MSA AirMaXX and BD 96 breathing apparatus systems.
Anita Zajac of MSA Europe tells IFJ: “These new alpha SL [SingleLine] pneumatics take advantage of patented hose-in-hose technology to dramatically simplify the SCBA air management system.
“The high-pressure line runs inside the medium pressure line so that typical features, which normally require up to five separate hoses, are reduced to one single line. At one end of the line is the completely re-designed first-stage pressure reducer and at the other end a patented manifold, which integrates two medium pressure connections, gauge and warning signal.”
MSA’s QuickFill fast cylinder refill adapter is now directly attached to the pressure reducer. “In comparison to conventional pneumatics the weight has been reduced by up to 35%. The novel technology also offers increased safety, greater durability, simplified maintenance and lower cost-of-ownership,” explains Anita.
The alphaCLICK rapid cylinder exchange adapter will also be available soon, says MSA. The alphaCLICK fits onto any standard cylinder and completely eliminates the need for threading. Using an injector system, the cylinder is simply snapped onto the pressure reducer. Attaching and removing can thus be performed at least ten times faster. The alphaCLICK integrates several important features to increase safety as well as speed.
“The alpha personal network is a perfectly modular concept, providing a wide range of monitoring, alarm and telemetric capability. At the core of this system is a small and wireless personal monitoring and signal device called the alphaSCOUT,” comments Anita.
Since the fully disengaged alphaSCOUT is not connected to a specific SCBA, the number of units needed by an industrial fire team, for example, can be reduced by up to 75%.
“The alphaSCOUT receives SCBA air pressure data from a transmitter on the SCBA backplate every two seconds. The alphaSCOUT then calculates remaining service time. alphaSCOUT can be personalised by the alphaTAG identification tag.”
“The alphaSCOUT can send and receive powerful long-range signals. This allows incident personnel data to be continuously monitored by incident command through the base station, called alphaBASE. An evacuation message can also be sent to incident teams or the entire crew,” she concludes.
IFJ has been told the company will be introducing further alpha enhancements in the future, which will be retrofitable to the existing alpha personal network. More information? www.msa-europe.com
Ideal for industry - the ‘Tcom’ Trailer Compressor
Speaking for Bauer Compressors, Tricia Querol tells IFJ: “If I had to choose a compressor with supreme mobility advantages, the Tcom would be it.” This new line of trailer-mounted breathing air compressor systems from Bauer Compressors Inc. is ideally suited for industrial environments such as refineries, tank farms and gas plants.
At the heart of the Tcom-13H or Tcom-25H models is a BAUER 13 SCFM or 25 SCFM charge rate (based on recharging an 80 cubic foot tank from 500 to 3000 psig.) four or five stage continuous-duty 6000 PSI air cooled compressor.
“The enclosure encompasses all system components which include Compressor, Air Purification, ASME storage and Two-Position Containment Fill Station,” explains Tricia.
Longevity is an important issue too. A sturdy foundation for all pressure bearing components is provided by a heavy-duty frame. This is designed to give years of service for its intended duty.
Features of the new system include a unique dual-drive system incorporating a special belt tensioning system that renders periodic belt tensioning a thing of the past. Finished with powder coat paint for a hard durable finish, the unit offers integral SCBA storage for up to 12-SCBA cylinders, four ASME air storage cylinders and a two-position containment fill station.
“A choice of option packages allows the industry client to customise the system to meet specific needs,” says Tricia. More information? Visit: www.bauercomp.com
More from Germany
The European arm of the Bauer group - Germany-based Bauer Kompressoren - has developed a modular unit approach for large stationary compressors which has positive advantages for industrial users.
Where once industrial fire departments had to decide between KAP-range (open) and the VERTICUS 5 (silenced version) - choice might include open compressor types like the KAP 5 and ‘tailored’ units incorporating SPC-compressor control B-CONTROLS, P Filter Systems and integrated filling panels in a modular system.
A relatively new development from Bauer is the MINI-VERTICUS III - a unit which keeps cool even under the most difficult climatic conditions such as those found in tropical and desert areas. This is equipped with a newly-developed oil cooling system and additional features:
• A redesigned fanwheel to builds up more cooling pressure;
•A new intake filter to improves the unit’s efficiency. The maximum air delivery capacity of the MV-unit range has been increased to 250 l/min.
• A new ergo-front panel to makes it easier to operate. The condensate canister has been integrated into the housing, it indicates the filling level at a glance and can be easily removed to be emptied.
• A SECURUS filter monitoring system has also been integrated into the housing of the Mini-Verticus III. The filling hoses fitted with safety filling valves are well-placed and easily accessible at an optimum height in the filling hose mounting. More information? Visit: www.bauer-kompressoren.de
The 100 HP from L&W - portable & powerful
A radically-new compressor series has just been developed by the German HP compressor manufacturer Lenhardt & Wagner (L&W Compressors).
Speaking for the company, David Jackson tells IFJ: “The 100 series is suitable for smaller breathing air filling requirements and for mobile applications with either electric or gasoline drive. With these compressors, a 6-litre 300 bar BA cylinder can be filled from 50 - 300 bar in 15 minutes.”
Available with three drive motors options, the LW 100 E has a 3-phase 400V 2.2 kW electric motor, whilst the LW 100 E1 has a 230V 2.2 kW AC motor drive with standard CE household plug. Special voltages are also available on request.
“There are certainly some real advantages with this system,” explains David. “The LW 100 B is driven by a high quality vanguard 4 stroke 6 HP petrol engine for easy filling independent of power supplies.
“The compressors come ready to use with a filling hose and filling valve either 200 or 300 bar filing pressure. For 200 and 300 bar filling applications, an additional module is available. The models weigh between 43 and 46 kg and carrying handles provide easy handling and the frame of the compressors is stainless steel,” he explains.
“The engineers at L&W have designed the cooling to be so effective that the high capacity filter cartridge lasts at least 46% longer than similar models on the market, a welcome feature for lower running costs,” he reports.
At the core of the compressor is a three-stage block with the unique feature of having the cylinders and crankcase all cast and machined in one piece to ensure exact alignment of running surfaces and fewer gaskets.
“Hardened steel cylinder liners, steel piston rings in all stages and stainless steel suction/pressure valve plates ensure long life, low maintenance costs and excellent reliability and performance even under continuous operating conditions,” concludes David.
More information?
Visit: www.lenhardt-wagner.de
