Dräger helps Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service protect firefighters

The mechanical cleaning equipment is designed to clean, disinfect and dry self-contained breathing apparatus and face masks to ensure that equipment is ready and safe for both training and incident use.

Mechanical cleaning machines mitigate issues relating to inconsistencies in manual cleaning, such as the amount of detergent used and water temperature, etc. and also serve to optimise the removal of carcinogens and other harmful germs and contagions. In addition, they help to further the lifespan of self-contained breathing apparatus by protecting the materials used.

Based in Chorley, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service’s £4 million training centre will provide the latest facilities and training to firefighters in the county. The school includes a network of classrooms and workshop areas where delegates will learn how to prepare, operate and service self-contained breathing apparatus. Facilities include a purpose-built ‘dirty-to-clean’ layout designed to minimise the spread of – and exposure to – contaminants during the removal of equipment and changing out of personal protective equipment.

Cleaning package

Dräger’s cleaning solution package includes Harstra’s Wash 9DR and Wash 6DR mechanical cleaning machines and the M45 drying cabinet.

The compact Wash 9DR stainless steel cleaning machine is an automatic solution for cleaning breathing masks that has low water and energy consumption. It’s designed for higher volumes of complete breathing apparatus, including full face masks, compressed air breathing apparatus, helmets and back plates (without the cylinder).

In-built dosing pumps ensure consistency of cleaning, while the high-pressure, four-sided bayonet nozzles maintain water pressure during the cleaning process, preventing moisture from entering the equipment. Two compartments prevent cross-contamination. During the washing process, the doors are electrically locked.

Modular in design and simple to use, the mechanical cleaning machines can be configured to suit specific workshop areas and capacity requirements, with washing and rinsing cycle options available in as low as 5, 10 and 22 minutes and featuring in-built water softening. 

Enhanced safety

Rod Steele, station manager at the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, commented: “Our self-contained breathing apparatus is manufactured by Dräger so it was obvious we would also procure cleaning equipment from the company. We’re extremely happy with the new training facility and proud that it helps to enhance the safety of our firefighters.”

Liz Millward, marketing manager for the Emergency and Rescue Services at Draeger Safety UK, responded: “Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service’s breathing apparatus school is unique in that it’s purpose-built, enabling the design of ideal workflows that limit the spread of – and exposure to – carcinogens and other harmful and contagious germs from used kit. Mechanical cleaning equipment assists in furthering this goal. It’s great to see this being promoted in such a prominent new firefighting facility.”

The Lancashire Fire and Rescue manages 40 fire stations serving a population of approximately 1.5 million and an area of a just under 3,100 km².