Safety Aspects of Thermal Fogging Working in confined spaces (refuse chute)

Transcription

1 Safety Aspects of Thermal Fogging Working in confined spaces (refuse chute) Presented by Heng Yiwei Governing Council Member Singapore Pest Management Association

2 Key Factors Proper equipment High Quality Maintenance Operator professionalism Well trained in machine functions Safety Awareness Adherence to Standard Operating Procedures Alternative methods Innovations that enhances safety and minimise/nullifies the factor of human error

3 Quality of Equipment Quality of Fogger (WHO specifications) Materials of construction Weight Pesticide tank and fittings Fuel tank capacity Air pump Discharge System Straps and fastenings Sprayer performance (CO and NOx lower than mist blowers suitable for indoor) Understanding of equipment (What quality means?)

4 Quality (WHO specifications) AF35

5 Performance (Heat) Distance between point of injection and end of fog tube influences temperature at point of injection Additional opening for cooling air (high quality units) Active ingredient only for a few milliseconds in the hot gas stream Low temperature at point of injection (high quality units) Integrity of Active Ingredient kept, increase efficacy decrease wastage Cool fogging temperature (fog BTI IMR TEST)

6 Performance (Heat) Distance between: point of injection / end of resonator Competitor 210 mm / AF mm

7 Performance (Heat)

8 Performance (Heat) 630 C 1000 C!!! 30 mm 135 mm about 300 C with ventilation 1100 C AF 35 K 10 SP 1100 C 20 mm AF C AF mm SF C SF mm SS C SS mm Sphwk 950 C Sphwk 180 mm Lgry 1000 C Lgry

9 Equipment Maintenance Maintenance Ensure the proper functioning of fogger No carbon build up No flame problems Ease of maintenance (technician willingness) Frequency Procedure Water base fogging No carbon build up Less maintenance required Flame problem nullified

10 Spare Parts and Tools Tools, funnels, spare gaskets and membrane that are required for routine use are supplied with a clear list of spare parts, illustrated and coded. Carrying belt Pipe cleaning tool Double open ended spanner (8/10mm) Screw driver Dossage nozzle 0.8/1.0/1.2 Line, long Pipe cleaning tool Double open ended spanner (14/12mm) Solution funnel Gasoline funnel Brush for swirl vane Operation and Maintenance Manual The manual in English and German supplied with the test machine included complete instruction on the use, maintenance and cleaning of the equipment and gives a list of all parts. Gaskets Tool bag

11 3 Step Maintenance Removal of Fog Tube 1. Clean Resonator with pipe cleaning rod

12 3 Step Maintenance 2. Air in-take valve clean & replace gaskets 3. Mixing chamber + Swirl vane - decarbonizes

13 Operator Professionalism Well trained in machine functions Reading of instruction manual Training conducted by qualified suppliers In-house training by qualified professionals Refresher to be done regularly Proper Handling Safety awareness Operation of machine Environment Acute appreciation of situation Safety Checklist Standard Operation Procedures Observe SOPs for different situations Personal standards > in house standards > industry standards

14 Proper Handling Nozzle-AF Do not over tighten Solution Socket- AF Do not over tighten and ensure proper installation Swirl vane - Decarbonizes and clean once a week Resonator-inner tube-af35-97 Properly cool down the machine after fogging, don t flush water for fast cool down, this will reduce lifespan of the Resonator. Fog Tubeouter tube- AF Do not mishandle Solution Tap-AF Turn to ventilate position for clearing of excess chemicals (few seconds) and turn to off position before stopping the machine Solution Tank- AF Made of stainless steel, durable material Petrol Tank- AF35-10 place it at the flat surface and don t drag it Air intake valve AF35-30 Note : Daily maintenance ( Recommended after usage)

15 Safety Checklist Fog Tube, Check for no carbon build up, no obstruction and no dent. Solution Socket, Check for leakage, crack and no obstruction. Solution Tap, Check for no leakage. Solution tank cap, Check for no leakage, no crack and must always be able tighten. Resonator tube, Check no carbon build up and no crack Safety Check List; 1. Fog Tube: Pass / Fail 2. Resonator: Pass / Fail 3. Solution Socket: Pass / Fail 4. Nozzle: Pass / Fail 5. Solution Tank: Pass / Fail 6. Solution Tank Cap: Pass /Fail 7. Petrol Tank and Cap: Pass / Fail 8. Ignition Coil Cable: Pass /Fail 9. Swirl Vane / Mixing Chamber: Pass /Fail Nozzle, Size 0.8 or 1.0 Check for leakage, no crack and no obstruction. Solution Tank- Check for no leakage,no dented Ignition Coil Cable, Check for no damage Swirl Vane and Mixing Chamber, Check for no petrol leakage and no carbon build up. Petrol Tank- Check for no leakage, no dented and petrol tank cap must always be able to tighten

16 Case study Fogging in Refuse chute Appreciation of factors involved: Operator safety Thermal fogger (heat) Confine space Secondary gases from refuse (methane) Operator Safety Proper PPE Thermal fogger Equipment of proper quality Proper maintenance Adequate amount of petrol and fog solution ( or auto-cutoff device) Proper timing of machine (no flame problems) Backflow into petrol tank causing explosion is not possible

17 Case study Fogging in Refuse chute SOP for fogging in confine spaces Ventilation Well maintained fogger = no flame problems = no ignition of gases Fogging distance Importance of Thermal Fogger s quality Material of resonator and fog tube Heat distribution Tests(fine spraying of petrol) done to ensure that ignition is not possible without source of ignition (i.e. spark) Oil base fogging in confine space Test conducted to determine amount of Ai compromised using various foggers with different points of injection Fogging in confine spaces does not result in flame problems

18 Alternative Methods Water base fogging with carrier and dual purpose fog tube(patented) Safe No flame problems Less maintenance Efficacy tested and proven More than 100m efficacy Auto cut-off device(pneumatic) No flame overflow Safety feature should machine stop suddenly No need to worry if petrol empties

19 Conclusion Training is important to ensure proper handling of equipment and proper safety procedures are observed To minimize human error and lapse in judgement selecting the right machine and appreciating its quality is key Alternative Methods/Innovations should also be considered to increase safety without the need for human interference

20 Singapore Pest Management Association (SPMA)