By Plymovent Staff

Every fire station is different in some way. Therefore, the installation of a vehicle exhaust removal system will vary based on the type of equipment, building construction and floorplan. Plymovent provides three basic system types and all necessary components for the installation and related support materials to attach the exhaust system to the building structure. The reason for this is so every installation, whether it is in California or New York, is done to the same standards and design. Obviously some stations will require some special structural attachments, and this is coordinated with the staff at Plymovent, the engineering or architectural company, as well as local officials. Plymovent authorized dealers handle the installation and have collectively installed more than 50,000 Plymovent systems. Plymovent is the only company in the industry that provides virtually everything required to complete the installation of a successfully operating system. Because of this, the local dealer has everything it will need, which reduces any challenges that other systems might present.

The first thing any department should consider when beginning the selection process is: What is the most effective method of removing a known carcinogen such as diesel exhaust from the breathing zone of the firefighter and other employees in the facility? There are several ways to “ventilate” the apparatus bays. However, numerous independent studies have demonstrated that “source capture” is the most effective. There are two basic types of source capture exhaust hose systems available on the market today. They are defined as “open nozzle” and “sealed nozzle”. The open nozzle does not enclose the exhaust pipe, therefore allowing diesel exhaust to escape from the exhaust pipe under certain conditions. The sealed nozzle system seals itself to the exhaust pipe, therefore sending all of the diesel exhaust outside the facility in a sealed continuous system. (See Uniform Mechanical Code, sections 401.9, 502.1, 502.9 & 502.11).

Plymovent offers a “pneumatic” and a “magnetic” source capture tailpipe connection system. The pneumatic system incorporates an inflatable “Grabber” nozzle that inflates around the exhaust tailpipe. The Magnetic Grabber® incorporates rare earth permanent magnets that securely attach (click and seal) to the tailpipe adaptor. Both systems provide virtually 100 percent at source capture and removal of the diesel exhaust and gases from a running vehicle. Therefore when properly used, it prevents any hazardous particulate or gases from escaping into the apparatus bay. 

Another solution that Plymovent offers is for vehicles that have a top exhaust stack. This is referred to as a Vertical Stack Rail (VSR) and it is the simplest system of all in that there is no hose or nozzle to hook up. The vertical exhaust stack is fitted with an adapter that allows the exhaust pipe to slide into the VSR upon the return of the vehicle to the fire station. While in the station, the vertical exhaust pipe stays in the VSR, and the exhaust is mov

FireRescue GPO members have asked for more fire apparatus contracts and we have delivered! Several new publicly solicited contracts for fire apparatus are now available as the result of a public solicitation by our Lead Public Agency partner, the Public Procurement Authority. These contracts offer a wide range of fire apparatus, options and accessories from a number of quality manufacturers and their respective dealer network.  

Honeywell (NYSE: HON) recently announced several ergonomic and safety refinements to its TAILS Morning Pride turnout gear. The new coat and pant ensemble retains the classic features and benefits of the original design, but has been re-engineered using advanced patterning technology to provide a better fit, new features, and allow more range of motion and protection.

The redesign adds improved features including:

• Liner attachment that improves thermal protection and can be easily removed from the shell on both coat and pant
• Reshaped neck and collar construction for improved neck/shoulder comfort
• Modified fit and drape across shoulders for increased upper-arm range of motion, and better weight distribution across the shoulders
• Better fit of armhole circumference and sleeves
• New DRY Super Flex Heat Channel Knee patterning (optional) for increased mobility
• Adjusted pant rise and fly length
• Improved pant leg grading for better interface with boots
• Improved donning/doffing of pant with full access fly

“Honeywell has made the industry’s best turnout gear even better,” said Michael Laton, product manager for Honeywell First Responder.  “TAILs has been ergonomically redesigned for increased arm, shoulder and leg mobility, and comfort through the shoulder and neck. These enhancements added to the existing TAILS design, with classic features such as Forward Flex, Variegated Hem, Kinect Kut, and three-layer nesting, mean that all firefighters, including larger and smaller sized responders, can expect greater comfort, mobility and safety on the fireground.”

TAILs is used by over 50 percent of the top 100 municipal firefighting departments in the United States and Canada. The gear has won widespread acceptance for its distinctive design, which reduces excessive overlap at the front of the coat and adds length to the back, significantly improving mobility in the front and maximizing protection in the back.

About Honeywell

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.

About Honeywell First Responder

Honeywell First Responder Products is the leading manufacturer of head-to-toe personal protective equipment. With more than 270 patents, we drive innovations for the unique needs of first responders globally. We take great pride in our technological advancements and our product development process that starts and ends with input from the firefighters who safeguard our communities and fac

South Whatcom Fire Authority’s team placed 11th in total fundraising for the 25th annual Firefighter Stairclimb, collecting $27,279 to fight blood cancers, it was announced this week. Firefighters raised a total $2.3 million this year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s event on March 6, in which 1,800 firefighters from around the world climbed 69 stories of the Columbia Tower in Seattle wearing full fire gear.
- PUB DATE: 4/28/2016 8:08:47 AM - SOURCE: Bellingham Herald

South Whatcom Fire Authority’s team placed 11th in total fundraising for the 25th annual Firefighter Stairclimb, collecting $27,279 to fight blood cancers, it was announced this week. Firefighters raised a total $2.3 million this year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s event on March 6, in which 1,800 firefighters from around the world climbed 69 stories of the Columbia Tower in Seattle wearing full fire gear.
- PUB DATE: 4/28/2016 8:08:47 AM - SOURCE: Bellingham Herald