Company Name: MagneGrip Group (A Division of Clean Air Concepts)
Headquarters: Cincinnati, Oh
Signature Products: MagneGrip Sliding Flexhose Track (SFT) and AirHAWK 3000 XL
Website: www.magnegrip.com
1) Where did your company name originate?
The company name, MagneGrip Group (A Division of Clean Air Concepts) originated from MagneGrip Exhaust Removal System’s magnetic nozzle technology. Rare-earth magnet assemblies provide the holding power needed to connect the exhaust removal nozzle to the tailpipe until it automatically releases when the vehicle exits a building. MagneGrip Exhaust Removal System’s source capture nozzle design does not rely on electric wiring, air lines or gauges to disconnect; and there are no attachments to the side of the apparatus.
Ed Rossman founded the company in 1975 to provide air purification equipment and exhaust removal systems. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, MagneGrip Group manufactures the #1-rated solution to the health threat of diesel exhaust emissions in firehouses and vehicle maintenance facilities.
2) What was the inspiration behind starting the company?
As an answer to the health threat of diesel exhaust emissions in firehouses and vehicle maintenance facilities, MagneGrip Group was started to provide a better, more cost-effective and easier to use source capture system.
3. What is your signature product and how does it work?
There are two signature products: MagneGrip Sliding Flexhose Track (SFT) and AirHAWK 3000 XL.
MagneGrip Sliding Flexhose Track (SFT) is the most compact source-capture system available. It is the ideal system for firehouses with back-in bays that have low ceilings or narrow spaces between vehicles—needing only 19-24 inch aisles. The SFT system has no hanging hose loops that block access to doors or loading.
An auto-start sensor activates the exhaust fan as the apparatus operator starts the engine. The airtight expandable flexhose extends along the track as the apparatus moves forward. The nozzle remains attached until it automatically releases at the threshold of the door.
The SFT system is 100 percent sealed so no toxic exhaust fumes escape into the firehouse. When the apparatus enters the firehouse, an automatic activation device starts the exhaust fan. The nozzle is connected and the apparatus is backed into the bay. MagneGrip systems have the highest airflow in any 100 percent sealed system. This totally removes exhaust emissions in the fastest, most effective manner possible.
Sliding Balancer Track (SBT), Straight Suction Rail (SSR) and Vertical Stack Rail (VSR) are other exhaust removal systems in the MagneGrip product line.
AirHAWK Air Purification Systems clean air as it is being generated, providing continuous air purification and coverage for an entire area or facility. It also meets OHSA guidelines and is easy to use with no firefighter involvement.
AirHAWK Air Purification Systems utilize a four-stage filtration process to destroy toxic organic compounds, which is why its air cleaning and purification performance is superior to all other systems. AirHAWK’S unit placement and design of the air circulation pattern are also critical to air purification and circulation effectiveness.
4) Why are your products essential to the Fire and EMS community?
Apparatus in fire stations discharge diesel exhaust into the breathing area. Exposure to toxic gases and particulate is linked to cancer and other debilitating diseases. As a result, fire and EMS personnel have an increased risk of cancer-causing deaths than the general population.
To reduce the risk of cancer, MagneGrip Exhaust Removal Systems connect directly to the vehicle tailpipe to remove contaminants and protect first responders. AirHAWK ceiling-mounted filtration units capture engine exhaust emissions and off-gases in firehouses. With cutting-edge technology such as photo-catalytic oxidation, airborne toxins are removed.
5) What has been the biggest challenge your company has faced?
Supporting firefighter cancer awareness and cancer risk avoidance are the biggest challenges MagneGrip Group faces everyday.
6) What makes your company unique?
MagneGrip Group is an American company, family owned and operated in Cincinnati, Ohio. All products are made in the USA and installed through a national and global distribution and service network. MagneGrip Group is ISO 9001:2015 Certified. We are proud to work with fire departments with one station or as many as 100 stations.
7) What do your customers like best about you and your products?
One of our customers said it best:
“The biggest benefit of the MagneGrip System is the ease of use. The hose snaps on to the MagneGrip tailpipe adaptor with magnets; the auto sensors turn the blowers on when the apparatus is started to begin exhaust removal. It’s quick and easy to use. And for the health of our firefighters, it’s reassuring to know we are reducing the risk and worry of diseases caused by diesel exhaust.”
MagneGrip Exhaust Removal System’s direct source-capture system is the best protection available. MagneGrip systems meet the NFPA 1500 Standard for “no less than 100 percent effective capture” to eliminate dangerous exhaust emissions in firehouses.
8) What is the most rewarding part of serving the first responder community?
Knowing that our products keep fire and EMS staff from the harmful effects of diesel exhaust and particulates is the most rewarding part of serving the first responder community. What motivates us everyday is providing a clean firehouse environment for emergency personnel who encounter daily job hazards.
9) Do you support any charitable organizations within the public safety community?
The Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation and MagneGrip Group have formed a partnership to help extinguish fire fighter cancer.
The Foundation provides education to alert fire fighters to the cancer-causing exposures in their occupation and it advocates for cancer research and presumptive legislation. It also helps active and retired fire fighters who have cancer with resource information and assistance during treatment.
With support from MagneGrip Group, the Foundation is able to provide the latest information on protecting fire fighter health in the firehouse. Diesel exhaust particulate and gases are known carcinogens and, if not eliminated, exposure to these toxins can cause debilitating illnesses.
MagneGrip Group furnishes AirHAWK 265 units to the Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation at reduced cost for cancer victims in need. The portable AH 265 units provide air purification and germicidal protection.
10) Is there any fun fact you’d like to share about the company?
MagneGrip Group’s founder, Ed Rossman, originally began working in the air purification and exhaust removal industry with a competitor. His objective in establishing MagneGrip Group was a simpler, better way to manufacture and distribute exhaust removal and air purification systems to fire, EMS and vehicle maintenance facilities.
11) What’s next for your company? Any upcoming new projects?
We are continuously working to improve and modify our products. As an example, to withstand higher vehicle exhaust temperatures, the lower two feet of hose was modified. It is rated to withstand up to 1,000° F. This feature is standard on all MagneGrip hoses.
To learn more visit www.MagneGrip.com and for free grant assistance for MagneGrip products visit www.firegrantshelp.com/MagneGrip-Exhaust-Removal-Systems-Grant-Assistance