As firefighters, we face plenty of threats on the fireground. Toxic smoke permeates the air around us, and despite our use of personal protective equipment and SCBAs, we’re still exposed to cancer-causing materials while performing our jobs.
That being said, we should be protected while off the fireground and in our stations. That is where MagneGrip comes in: It’s the only brand currently on the market with clean air solutions that include direct-capture exhaust systems, air-purification systems and air quality monitoring systems.
Hazards of diesel particulate matter and others
NIOSH regards diesel exhaust as a potential occupational carcinogen and has known about diesel fumes causing eye irritation and decreased pulmonary function since the 1980s. There is no public health exposure limit, but OSHA has studied the different chemicals in diesel particulate matter (DPM), including carbon monoxide, nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide. As firefighters (and through common sense) we know diesel particulates are bad for us and prolonged exposure leads to dizziness, headaches, potential cardiac and respiratory disease, and cancer.
We don’t get to choose when our apparatus must fire up inside our fire bays. In most departments, the apparatus runs at least once a day for truck checks. In my organization, it is not uncommon for our fire engine to start up 8–10 times a day between emergency responses, public education details and other duties. That means firefighters could be getting 8–10 exposures a day of diesel particulate matter.
How direct-capture systems eliminate exposure
MagneGrip removes toxins in the station through its direct-capture exhaust system. This attaches to the exhaust pipe of the apparatus and removes 100% of diesel particulates. Within the exhaust-capture system, there are options for different firehouses that include rail systems, track systems, simple drop systems and vertical stack systems – making them ideal and flexible for any department’s needs. Furthermore, MagneGrip’s exhaust fans and high-temperature hose allow for the fire apparatus to run for extended periods while indoors. An ambient air induction system also works to cool the hose, making it safe to touch, and increases the life of the entire system.
Air purification that goes beyond exhaust
MagneGrip also offers their AirHAWK air purification systems that can be used independently or in conjunction with the MagneGrip diesel capture system. The AirHAWK provides atmospheric air scrubbing that ensures firefighters are breathing air free from contaminants. Not only does the AirHAWK clean diesel particulate and gases from the apparatus exhaust, but the system cleans the air from all contaminant sources.
The air cleaning systems were initially designed by the company’s founder back in 1982 as a way to purify the air inside bars and restaurants. Today, the improved technology is used to protect firefighters from offgassing turnout gear, vehicle exhaust, mold, viruses and bacteria. The AirHAWK is the only system that uses photocatalytic oxidation to destroy microbes and eliminate any VOCs.
The AirHAWK can be installed in firefighter living areas, gear rooms or other areas of the firehouse, or it can be installed in the bay area independently or in tandem with the direct-capture system.
MagneGrip designs the AirHAWK systems to exchange the air at a rate of 8–10 times per hour or to be programmed to run at an extremely low speed to have continuous filtering of the air. “The AirHAWK eliminates all kinds of contaminants from any source,” said Greg Roach, director of sales at MagneGrip. “If the team is using the grill in the bay area, it’s still filtering. If someone has a cold, it will still be filtering.”
MagneGrip also features sensors that can monitor the air quality. The devices can display particulate count, notify the team and even activate the units.
Building a layered approach to cancer prevention
Cancer prevention within the fire service is a multilayered puzzle. Fire departments must embrace prevention methods such as simple hygiene practices, clean and dirty areas and keeping turnout gear out of living quarters. Additionally, they must ensure firefighters have clean turnout gear and are laundering their gear, so they don’t have repeat exposures to harmful carcinogens. Firefighters must wear SCBAs and practice on-scene decontamination procedures.
Yet these fireground practices only account for an extremely small percentage of the time a firefighter may be exposed to harmful cancer-causing agents. Most of the time, firefighters are in their stations and must be protected there, too.
“MagneGrip can provide a piece of the puzzle to prevent cancer and is committed to making sure we have the best products,” said Roach. “We are committed to providing as much as we can toward that puzzle. We are committed to making sure diesel exhaust is not brought back into living quarters.”
Designing healthier firehouses for the future
Fire station designs are evolving as cities grow and new infrastructure develops. Architects and designers are incorporating direct capture and air purification systems to ensure firefighter health, especially since COVID-19. Yet despite the new infrastructure, existing towns and fire stations must have a pathway to ensure their firefighters are also protected. MagneGrip is that pathway with its line of MagneGrip direct capture and AirHAWK air purification systems. Its systems can be installed to protect bay areas, bunk rooms, living areas, kitchens and gear rooms. They even work with architects and engineers during the station design process, providing free CAD drawings to show how the system will integrate.
A family-owned business committed to safety
MagneGrip is a woman-owned business that has provided quality air cleaning solutions for over 40 years and remains committed to innovation to ensure firefighters are safe at all times and in all areas. It’s the only U.S.-based company that manufactures both direct-capture exhaust removal and air purification systems to protect firefighters from everything from diesel exhaust to viruses, mold and bacteria. Its product line reduces the systemic effects of exposure and provides a crucial puzzle piece in cancer reduction and prevention. The AirHAWK system can purify spaces around the station and in the bay, while the direct-capture exhaust system removes harmful particulate matter directly from the station with 100% efficiency. They are just one piece, but a vital one, of ensuring our protection from cancer-causing agents, disease, mold and other hazards.
