Dräger has provided a suite of mechanical cleaning equipment for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service’s new purpose-built breathing apparatus training centre to deliver a consistent standard of equipment disinfection and hygiene.

The mechanical cleaning equipment is designed to clean, disinfect, and dry self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and face masks, to ensure that equipment is ready and safe for both training and incident use. The mechanical cleaning machines can mitigate issues relating to inconsistencies in manual cleaning, such as the amount of detergent used, water temperature, etc. and optimise the removal of carcinogens and other harmful germs and contagions. They also help to further the life span of SCBA, by protecting materials used.

Dräger’s Cleaning Solution package includes Harstra’s Wash 9DR and Wash 6DR mechanical cleaning machines and 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. The Wash 6DR is 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 can ensure consistency of cleaning, and the high-pressure 4-sided bayonet nozzles maintain water pressure during the cleaning process, preventing moisture from getting into equipment. Two compartments prevent cross-contamination and during washing the doors are electrically locked.

Lancashire’s £6 million training centre, based in Chorley, 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 SCBA. 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 (PPE).

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.

Rod Steele, Station Manager at Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, commented: “Our SCBA equipment is manufactured by Dräger, and because the company is leading its field in cleaning and disinfectant, it was obvious that we also procured cleaning equipment from Dräger. We’re extremely happy with the new facility and proud that it helps to enhance the safety of our firefighters.”

Liz Millward, Marketing Manager Emergency and Rescue Services at Draeger Safety UK, said: “Lancashire’s breathing apparatus school is unique for the fact that it is purpose built, enabling them to design ideal workflows that limit spread and exposure to carcinogens and other harmful and contagious germs from used kit. Mechanical cleaning equipment helps further this goal, and it is excellent to see it being promoted in such a prominent new firefighting facility.”