NBC-company Safety Equipment Development AB (Sedab) has worked together with the Swedish Rescue Services Agency on the development of a number of mobile decontamination systems for civilian and military applications. These systems can be used in a variety of applications, such as for bacteriological and chemical decontamination in the wake of terror attacks, in war situations, in the event of industrial accidents involving hazardous chemicals, or in connection with transport accidents to and from chemical plants.

The systems, which can be operational within 15 minutes and have extremely high decontamination capacity according to the manufacturer, has been used in a variety of contexts, including training purposes by the Hague-based OPCW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons). In addition, the company has supplied UN inspectors with equipment for their assignments.

The decontamination systems are available inseveral sizes, including a large container-based system and a small version that is loaded onto trailers or built into vehicles.

"The system that produces 37-degree Celcius luke warm water already while on the way to the site of the incident is operational within 10 to 15 minutes after arrival," says Johan Carlqvist, President of Sedab. A quick start-up is one of the preconditions for being able to avoid life-threatening injuries and the spread of dangerous substances and bacteria to others.

The container-based system is primarily intended for large-scale rescue-service operations, while the trailer model can be used for instance on industrial sites where there is a risk of chemical discharge or gas.

"Industrial clients can expect to quickly recoup their investment costs through lower insurance premiums," explains Johan Carlqvist. "We have also sold a number of systems to the Swedish Rescue Services Agency, whose requirement specifications form the basis for the system's development."

Can replace military systems
"Many countries have older military decontamination systems which are not adequate for dealing with several thousand civilians at a time," says Per-Åke Kristensson, decontamination expert at the OPCW. "Older systems often require several trucks for their transport, while Sedab's container system can be carried on just one truck. All the equipment is integrated into one single unit, which cuts the total deployment and response time."

Up to 600 persons an hour
The container system is diesel-powered and can decontaminate up to 600 persons an hour. The container is built in sections: there is a machine compartment where all the operational components and the electronic monitoring systems are housed, and a storage compartment with space for the four inflatable decontamination tents and other equipment. Between the sections there is a stainless steel 3,000-litre water tank.
"During transportation, all equipment such as the tents, shower trays and so on are placed in the container, and the mechanical equipment is operated from the container once out in the operational field," explains Johan Carlqvist.

The trailer-based system is identically equipped but consists of two 1500 kg trailers, with the additional difference that the water tanks total 1300 litres.


For further information, please contact:
Sedab, Bertil Lindh Jonsson, Marketing Director
Vasagatan 3, SE-291 53 Kristianstad, Sweden
Tel. +46 (0)44 124 110
E-mail: bertil.jonsson@sedab.nu
Website: www.sedab.nu

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