Contaminated hazardous materials protective gear can be deconned in several ways, from general cleaning to sterilization, disinfection, and antisepsis, depending on the level of hazmat exposure. While the equipment and processes used by manufacturers may vary, the end goal is to clean the gear and equipment so that it is free of all contamination.
Daemon Hobbs, sales representative for LANCO, says his company makes individual decontamination showers and three-lane decontamination systems for deconning contaminated hazmat gear and equipment on a scene. He notes that the individual showers have proven popular with fire departments that want to decon a few firefighters at a scene, while the multilane systems have mostly been purchased by regional hazmat authorities for use either on scene or in evacuation centers.
Hobbs says the individual decon shower has an inflatable frame operated with 4.4-pounds-per-square- inch (psi) overpressure, made of 32-ounce/per yard airtight coated fabric that connects to the shower cabin with a cord and loop system. “The shower cabin is made of yellow PVC-treated polyester fabric that is waterproof and antifungicidal and has large transparent foil windows,” Hobbs points out. “The ground sheet is permanently attached to the shower and made of gray PVC-coated polyester fabric.”
The equipment in the shower includes an arched tubular system containing nozzles, a hand shower with a 4.92-foot hose, a D-coupling head for the water supply, and a C-coupling head for water discharge. The decon shower is available in five sizes, with the two smallest carrying five nozzles and one hand shower and the three largest carrying 10 nozzles and two hand showers.
Hobbs adds that fire departments can hook up a dosing unit with a water pump where chemicals can be attached to the unit that sprays bleach, biocide, or antiviral detergents as part of the decon process. Some units have an inflatable berm or pool to help control water runoff, he says, and sump pumps can be used to pump contaminated water out of the tent and into a portable inflatable tank or a holding pond.
The three-lane decon shower is made of a highly durable yet lightweight fabric, Hobbs says, which is similar to materials used in inflatable boats. “The seams of the frame are high frequency welded, and the corner joints are mitered,” he notes. “The shelter is equipped with curtains to delineate the various decontamination lanes and zones, making it easier to triage and manage users.”
1 LANCO makes an individual decontamination shower for deconning hazmat gear and equipment on a scene. (Photo 1 courtesy of LANCO.)
2 Husky Portable Containment makes a collapsible and lightweight portable decontamination shower that can be used to decon hazmat gear on scene. (Photo 2 courtesy of Husky Portable Containment.)
3 RAM AIR makes the T4-IHR special ops gear dryer and a gear decon sprayer to clean and disinfect hazmat suits. (Photo 3 courtesy of RAM AIR Gear Dryer.)
The three lanes are for male, female, and injured, he adds, while there are three treatment zones for undressing, decon and rinsing, and checking and redressing. The decon and rinsing zone includes two integrated surround showers, each equipped with five nozzles and a hand shower. The system’s water containment sys