Safety Equipment Australia, part of The S.E.A. Group, is a leading name in respiratory protection. Established in 1984, the company imports and distributes renowned products in the area of personal protection equipment such as Sundström respirators, Trellchem protective suits, and Interspiro SCBA – all well-known and utterly suitable for firefighting and emergency response operations. Now there is a new string to S.E.A.’s bow.
New for 2019
Recently added to the S.E.A. range of firefighter’s equipment is Solo Rescue, a decontamination washing machine for quick and efficient cleaning of BA sets, face pieces, cylinders, harnesses, helmets and protective clothing.
As so-called gross decon on-site has become more important in firefighting operations, thorough cleaning of personal protection equipment has become a priority in many fire stations around the world. ‘Keeping firefighters healthy’ is a buzz-phrase in modern firefighting, as a result of increased risks of illnesses in fire personnel due to chemicals released during the combustion of plastics, paint, fuel and other substances.
By separating firefighters from their equipment and clothing immediately after a turnout – before returning to base – diseases such as many types of cancer can be minimised. These diseases affect firefighting professionals to a greater extent than other occupational groups.
Back at the fire station, Solo Rescue does away with manual cleaning, replacing time-consuming and tricky decontamination with speed, efficiency and – above all – consistency.
A circular tray fitted with various inserts is loaded into the Solo Rescue decontamination washer. Several pressure nozzles sprays the equipment from every angle, cleaning it within minutes.
High-quality decontamination of large quantities at a rapid rate also means big cost savings. Solo Rescue is capable of the following decontamination rates:
- 20 BA sets per hour
- 80 full-face pieces per hour
- 160 half-face pieces per hour
- 100 helmets per hour
- 160 pairs of gloves per hour
- 60 pairs of boots per hour
Company facilities
Safety Equipment Australia’s Sydney operation comprises an engineering department, test laboratory, workshop, manufacturing, warehousing and more. The company conducts its own research into breathing physiology and the interface between wearer and equipment. The human factor is paramount: a respirator must be fit for purpose and perfectly suited to human breathing – at actual work, in the actual workplace.
Safety Equipment Australia also designs and manufactures its own new products, such as powered respirators, in-mask voice communication equipment and safety management software. One of the latest innovations is a real-time Respiratory Data Analyser, a device slated as an essential part of any sophisticated respiratory management program. The company’s information material has become well-known for its quality and extent – especially in the field of training, where highly acclaimed educational programs are available free on-line and as smartphone apps.
S.E.A. is regularly consulted by various organisations in the field of breathing safety. It has long been a member of several standards committees around the world, as well as the well-respected International Society for Respiratory Protection. Another initiative includes a comprehensive respiratory research project at the University of Wollongong.
Safety Equipment Australia is ISO 9001 accredited and holds SAI Global, NIOSH and INSPEC approvals.
For more information, go to www.sea.com.au
