Hazardous materials - special guide
Published: 01 July, 2005
Good preparation means that half the job is already done when disaster happens. Knowing where the problem is likely to be the first step in avoiding it. All the following manufacturers of HazMat and chemical emergency equipment want you and your team to be well prepared.
Aire Group
Contact: Richard Bailey
Phone number: +44 148 464 6559
Fax number: +44 148 464 4450
E-mail: info@airegroup.com
Website: www.airegroup.com
Richard Bailey comments: “Our inflatable Aireshower mobile decontamination system won the Queen’s Award For Enterprise, is deployed worldwide and links with Aireshelta inflatable buildings and ambulances to form the ultimate outdoor emergency set-up.
“Our mass decontamination system can be working in minutes and decontaminates dozens of people hourly. More than 100 litres of water gush out of the Aireshower’s several sprays every minute at a constant heat of 35°C. The contaminated water falls through a special floor into an 800-litre capacity tank and is pumped to disposal bags outside. A pioneering vehicle-cleansing system destroys antibiotic-resistant bugs, including anthrax and MRSA, without having to touch the vehicle with human hands or traditional disinfectants.”
Aire Group supplies reusable and disposable chemical and biological protection suits, transportation bags for patients with contagious diseases, cooling vests, Aireshelta inflatable buildings and Airelight inflatable lights. “We also won the UK fire service urban rescue tender to supply propping and shoring equipment to UK fire services,” Bailey concludes.
Draeger Safety UK Limited
Contact:Mr R. Beckwith
Tel: +44 1670 352891
Fax: +44 1670 356266
Email: marketing@draegersafetyuk.com
website: www.draeger-safety.co.uk
Richard Beckwith tells IFJ: “In addition to respiratory protection, emergency escape, airline and compressed air breathing apparatus, Draeger Safety offers helmets, chemical protection suits and portable and fixed gas detection systems.
“The Saver PP Emergency Escape Set provides up to 15 minutes of breathable air and can be worn with other forms of personal protective equipment. For extended duration breathing air, the Draeger PAS AirPack 1 Airline Apparatus can be combined with Draeger’s lightweight PAS Colt Compact Lifesaver to meet the needs of emergency escape or short duration entry applications.”
Portable gas detection includes the Draeger X-am 7000, which can detect over 100 toxic and combustible gases and provides continuous detection of up to five gases simultaneously, and the Draeger Multi-IMS for detecting toxic industrial compounds.
“In chemical protection suits, the Draeger WorkMaster is worn with the BA over the suit and can be connected to an airline, whilst the TeamMaster range offers total encapsulation,” Beckwith comments.
Emergistics Europe LTD
Contact: Mark Greenwood, MD
Phone number: +44 1428 727070
Fax number: +44 1428 727040
E-mail: emergistics@btinternet.com
Website: www.emergistics.com
Mark Greenwood comments to IFJ: “Founded in March 2003, Emergistics was established to address the increased need for emergency response training for organizations both in the private and public sectors. A particular focus is the need to develop the capability and preparedness in the event of a deliberate release of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) agents,” he explains.
“We have developed a proprietary framework called ‘Total Resilience Management’ with a declared scope of ‘Anticipation to Recovery’. This follows the disciplines of best practice quality management to enhance preparedness through a continuous programme moving customers to the prevention of an incident.
“Our singular focus is to provide tailored training, which would build on an organization’s existing programmes, with the objective of expanding their capabilities. The training is developed from established programmes being successfully delivered across America on Weapons of Mass Destruction WMD, Hospital Bioterrorism and HAZMAT emergency response training.”
He concludes: “Those who have benefitted from this training to date are varied and wide, and include firefighters, law enforcement officers, health care personnel, emergency medical teams, government agencies and departments, and private industry who needed to increase their level of awareness and enhance their ability to respond effectively in the case of a chemical, biological or major hazardous materials incident.”
Hawke International
Contact: Phil O’Connor
Phone number: +44 161 308 3611
Fax number: +44 161 308 5831
E-mail: phil.oconnor@ehawke.com
Website: www.ehawke.com
Phil O’Connor reports: “We manufacture products that deliver reliability and safety for electrical equipment users in oil, petrochemical and industries where the consequences of product failure can be disastrous.
“We provide a full range of world-class cable glands, connectors and enclosures that conform to international standards and are tested by certifying authorities worldwide. Subsidiaries and distributors provide a highly consistent service in all major world markets to match the needs of customers with production facilities often based in remote and hostile locations,” he concludes.
Institution of Chemical Engineers
Contact: Jacqueline Cressey, Marketing Manager
Phone number: +44 1788 578214
Fax number: +44 1788 560833
E-mail: jcressey@icheme.org.uk
Website: www.icheme.org/shop
Professional Safety Solutions from IChemE
Jacqui Cressey tells IFJ: “The Institution of Chemical Engineers is a leading international body, providing services and products for those involved in safety relating to the chemical, process and related industries.
“We provide BP Process Safety Series Booklets - sharing the experience and creating a safer process. 14 titles include: Liquid Hydrocarbon Tank Fires: Prevention and Response, Hotel Fire Safety, Safe Furnace and Boiler Firing.
“We offer Training Packages - cost-effective training solutions on CD-ROM - Fire and Explosions, Practical Risk Assessment, Safety Management Systems and Inherently Safety Process Design.
“We publish the Loss Prevention Bulletin - a major source of industrial case studies and practical articles enabling organizations to avoid the same mistakes, learn from others experiences and build an excellent source of reference material on a wide range of situations.
Ms. Cressey concludes: “We offer Courses - providing high quality, specialist training courses with topics of Explosion Hazards and Safety and Loss Prevention.”
Intelagard, Inc.
Contact: Jim Verseman
Phone number: 001 303 309 6373
Fax number: 001 303 410 1562
E-mail: jverseman@intelagard.com
Website: www.intelagard.com
Jim Verseman reports to IFJ: “For proven decontamination capabilities, fire suppression, toxic chemical vapour suppression and hazmat remediation, find your solution in the advanced technology of Intelagard. Powerful and economical, Intelagard systems come in a variety of sizes and are in use by the US military, industry, and First Responders. Intelagard equipment is multi-functional. Put out a fire on Monday, suppress toxic vapours on Tuesday, and decontaminate a lab on Wednesday with the same unit!
He concludes: “From the Macaw backpack to the large scale Falcon Fixed Site Decontamination System, Intelagard has a system sized to meet your needs. Visit our website or e-mail us. You’ll be glad you did.”
Lenzing AG
Contact: Mr. Alexander Gstettner
Phone number: +43 7672 701 3290
Cell: +43 664 61 123 91
Fax number: +43 7672 918 3290
E-mail: a.gstettner@lenzing.com
Website:www.lenzing.com
Alexander Gstettner comments: “Lenzing FR is a specialty viscose fibre. The abbreviation FR stands for flame-resistant. Lenzing FR is a natural fibre derived from wood. It offers protection from heat and flame in a variety of different applications. Unique thermal insulation properties combined with permanent flame resistance make Lenzing FR, a Heat Protection Fibre.
“It offers protection from all kinds of heat and its functional properties help to prevent heat stress and heat stroke. Lenzing FR offers protection from all kinds of heat: fire, radiant heat, electric arcs, molten metals and flash fires. The most important goal of protective clothing is to prevent the skin from burns. After all, the skin is the body’s largest and most sensitive organ,” he says.
“From a technical point of view, Lenzing FR is a work of art. The fibre, which is made of a natural raw material, has a flame retardant substance incorporated throughout the cross section of the fibre. As well as being eco-friendly, the latter also ensures permanent protection. The protective substance cannot be removed by either washing or abrasion. We say - flame-resistant once, flame-resistant forever.”
*Professional Protection Systems Ltd
Contact: Cathy Mackie
Phone number: +44 1908 272 240
Fax number : +44 1908 371 605
E-mail: sales@ppsgb.com
Website: www.ppsgb.com
Cathy Mackie explains: “When PPS launched the first inflatable decontamination shower in 1996 it was targeted for use at HazMat incidents. Since then the company has become one of the world’s largest suppliers of mass-decon technology to military and emergency services throughout the world, to HM Government, the NHS and UK ambulances services and hospital trusts.
“The company’s many corporate customers now benefit from the high specification products produced by PPS for its international customers as well as the company’s unrivalled database of decontamination know-how created by serving the needs of organisations in 60 different countries. She concludes: “Every PPS product, which includes PPE, comes with the widest range of accessories available anywhere thus ensuring the highest degree of customisation. In addition PPS offers constantly upgraded training programme to its customers to ensure that maximum value is obtained from the company’s equipment.”
RAE Systems
Contact: Amanda Leet
Phone number: 001 408 952 8200
Fax number: 001 408 952 8480
E-mail: raesales@raesystems.com
Website: www.raesystems.com
Amanda Leet tells IFJ: “RAE Systems is a manufacturer of rapidly-deployable, multi-and-single-sensor chemical and radiation detection monitors and networks for homeland security and industrial applications.”
She concludes: “RAE Systems’ products enable the military and first responders such as firefighters and law enforcement to detect and provide early warning of weapons of mass destruction and other hazardous materials.”
Reflexite
Contact: Bernd Kreitz
Phone number: + 49 171 680 8878
Fax number: + 49 451 706 2115
E-mail: europe@reflexite.com
Website: www.reflexite-europe.com
Bernd Kreitz explains: “Reflexite invented Microprism technology more than 30 years ago and manufactures retro-reflective films and products for the high visibility and workwear markets - The Reflexite Fire Tape Plus 1200 is dedicated to fire brigades safety and is both EN469 and EN471 compliant. All our films are tested to resist to current chemicals according to specifications.”
Scott Health & Safety
Contact:Customer Services
Phone number: +44 1695 711711
Fax number: +44 1695 711772
E-mail: scottint.uk@tycoint.com
Website:www.scottint.com
Scott Health & Safety, a unit of Tyco International Ltd’s Fire & Security segment, is an innovative specialist in the manufacture and design of respiratory, head and sensory personal protective equipment and other safety devices for fire & rescue services, industrial workers, police, military and civil defense organisations around the world.
With five global manufacturing locations, Scott produces products that protect thousands of individuals each day from hazards including smoke, toxic fumes, combustible gases, falling objects and contaminants.
The Scott product line includes Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus, Air-Purifying Respirators, Gas Detection and Thermal Imaging instruments, Compressors, Head, Face, Eye and Hearing protection, Decontamination Showers and Safety Signs and Markers.
Swingtec GmbH
Contact: Bernd L. Dietrich / Jacqueline Imbs
Phone number: +49 7562 708 0
Fax number: + 49 7562 708 111
E-mail: info@swingtec.de
Website: www.swingtec.de
Swingtec manufactures the AquaMobil range, Mobile Showers, Decontamination and Heating systems.
Company spokesperson Jacqueline Imbs tells IFJ: “Sarin in the subway - anthrax in the mail - fear of terrorist attacks using dirty nuclear bombs. These are, unfortunately, modern threats. They place new challenges on our civil and military Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) protection agencies.
“With our AquaMobil system we provide professional and proven equipment for a fully-automatic working shower and hot water supply, and for the operation of decontamination shower systems.
The modular system construction enables variable configurations, starting with small systems for the decontamination of task forces, up to large mass decontamination systems.
“Our mobile and independent systems can also be used for shower and hot water supplies as well as for heating purposes in tent cities, camps, mobile hospitals, for massed gatherings and in health care institutions. Shower and hot water can be thermostatically-controlled.
“The water flow heater DH6 can heat up to 3,000 e of water per hour, increasing the temperature by 30°C and can also supply hot water up to a maximum temperature of 95°C.”
*Vetter GmbH, A Unit of IDEX Corporation
Contact: Mr. Pleiner
Phone number: +49 2252 30 08 60
Fax number: +49 2252 30 08 71
E-Mail: info@vetter.de
Website: www.vetter.de
Mr. Pleiner tells IFJ: “We manufacture Hoop Leap Sealing Bags with belt guiding slits. They are designed for the rapid sealing of leaks occurring on tanks, barrels, tank cars tanker trucks and silos, where human environment or animal life is in danger.
“The patented hoop enables the bag strap to be changed in position, a simple pull of the belt is sufficient. Quick threading is easily done, due to the eye loop on the bag. The new transport and protection case is secured on the side with velcro straps so that the bag can be easily withdrawn and inserted from the case.
“The transport and protection case has two securing brackets. The bag, which is ready for operation, can be positioned outside the danger zone using fire service lines, therefore the staff in the frontline team need not directly be in the area of danger. Additionally, the risk of contamination is reduced.
“The low inflation requirement means that the foot pump in the supplied set, with manometer and safety valve, is quite sufficient and is independent of any other air supply.
Furthermore, the bag is suitable for leaks on containers and tanks having a diameter greater than 48 cm.”
