NO SMOKE Filter System
At Ward Diesel Filter Systems, we salute our hero firefighters who risk their health and lives to keep others safe in emergency situations. Not only do fire fighters face hazardous conditions from extreme heat and dangerous fires, but also the continual exposure to harmful smoke from fires and exhaust from emergency vehicles is a leading cause of cancer in fire fighters. Ward Diesel Filter Systems aims to change that with our NO SMOKE, vehicle mounted exhaust filtering system.
What Is the NO SMOKE Filter System?
Ward Diesel Filter Systems is the only provider of our NO SMOKE filter system. Our NO SMOKE filter system is a unique solution to reduce and eliminate fire fighter exposure to harmful vehicle exhaust particulates on-scene of an active emergency and while the vehicle is idling at the station.
Ward Diesel Filter Systems have three different types of NO SMOKE filter systems to match all types of fire fighter emergency vehicles including:
- NO SMOKE: Designed specially for 2006 and earlier model engines
- NO SMOKE 2: Designed specially for 2007, 2010, and newer vehicles
- NO SMOKE Gas: Designed specially for gasoline engines that emit higher levels of harmful gases
The NO SMOKE system is the ONLY vehicle mounted exhaust filtering system available on the market today. This design allows for constant exhaust filtering abilities wherever the vehicle is, greatly reducing firefighters’, and other emergency responders’, exposure to toxic exhaust fumes and particulates. By eliminating exhaust fume and particulate exposure, Ward Diesel Filter Systems’ NO SMOKE filter system mitigates the risk of occupational cancer in fire fighters. NO SMOKE meets and exceeds the safety standards set by OSHA, NIOSH and NFPA.
How Does the NO SMOKE Filter System Work?
NO SMOKE is an apparatus mounted, automatic diesel exhaust removal system. The NO SMOKE system captures the harmful exhaust particulates and gases, so that fire fighters do not inhale them or get them on their clothing. Click here to watch a YouTube video.
The original NO SMOKE system, compatible with 2006 and earlier model engines, is designed with three major components including a filter, a diverter unit, and an electronic control module. The filtering system operates automatically. Once the vehicle is turned on, the electronic control module engages the diverter unit, allowing NO SMOKE to begin filtering the exhaust.
NO SMOKE comes equipped with a timer to filter exhaust, building in time to leave the station before NO SMOKE switches out of filter mode. The filter feature automatically reengages when the vehicle is put into reverse once it returns to the station. NO SMOKE includes a manual override option to allow the operator to engage the exhaust filter while the vehicle is idling on scene of a fire or an emergency. This feature can also be used for stations with drive through capabilities, using a dash mounted button for easy exhaust filter control.
NO SMOKE 2, compatible with 2007, 2010, and newer vehicles, is based on the original NO SMOKE system, but with some improved features to create efficiency and simplicity. Unlike NO SMOKE, NO SMOKE 2 does not require the diverter box technology and instead is installed in the tailpipe tip.
The NO SMOKE 2 diesel filtering system automatically filters harmful diesel exhaust, all the time. There are no features where it kicks on or off after a timer and you don’t have to remember to do a manual override when on scene. They also require virtually no maintenance after installation. Once the NO SMOKE 2 system is installed in your vehicle, you can set it and forget it, so you can give all your attention to responding to an emergency.
No SMOKE Reduces the Occupational Cancer Risk of Fire Fighters
A 2017 Fire Station Dust Study was conducted across 26 fire stations in five different states that showed that fire stations had increased levels of toxic chemicals, including phosphorus and polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardant, than those reported in homes or other occupational locations around the world. Analysis of those fire stations’ kitchen, bunkroom, and furniture also showed elevated amounts of diesel exhaust particulates, known to be a contributing factor of firefighter occupational cancer. Firefighters are regularly and openly exposed to diesel exhaust fumes and particulates, without any PPE, while staying at the fire station or while their masks are off, but the trucks are still running, at an active emergency, increasing their level of exposure and intake of those toxic particulates into the body.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has categorized diesel engine exhaust and soot as Group 1 carcinogen agents, the same group as other well known toxic chemicals including arsenic, asbestos, and formaldehyde, meaning there is sufficient evidence that those compounds are cancer causing. The most common methods of dangerous chemical exposure for fire fighters include:
- Inhalation Exposure: Most common exposure method–Inhalation can come from off-gassing PPE, diesel vehicle exhaust at the station, and smoke or soot toxic chemicals that are released into the air that remain
- Dermal Exposure: Carcinogens from soot or exhaust can be absorbed through the skin
- Ingestion Exposure: Less common exposure method–Toxic particulates can land on exposed hands or food, and then be eaten
A key way to control and eliminate firefighter exposure to diesel exhaust fumes and chemicals, thereby reducing firefighter occupational cancer risks, is to filter those diesel gases and fumes with the NO SMOKE filtering system. With the NO SMOKE system, that means no diesel toxic fumes at the fire station and no diesel exhaust chemical exposure on-scene of a fire as well.
Eliminate Exposure to Cancer-Causing Diesel exhaust
You cannot control everything that will happen at a fire or in an emergency situation, but you can control and help your crew eliminate their exposure to cancer-causing diesel exhaust so they can focus on their job knowing they are properly protected.
Ready to take the next step to protect your crew’s health? Contact us today!