On-board Diesel Filtration Systems
On-board diesel filtration systems are growing in popularity in fire departments across the country, replacing older model hose-based exhaust filtration systems. As awareness of cancer causing materials and prioritization of firefighter health grows, more fire departments are upgrading their firetrucks with on-board diesel filtration systems.
There are several benefits and long term effects of vehicle mounted exhaust filtration systems to note if you are considering improving for fire truck exhaust filtration system.
On-Board Diesel Filtration Systems Reduce Exposure to Toxic Chemicals
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. Firefighters and bystanders are continually exposed to toxic particulates anytime the vehicle engine is turned on, which includes on scene at an emergency, parades, and backing in or pulling into the station.
Apparatus mounted exhaust filtering systems provide several benefits over traditional hose filtering systems including:
- Maintenance and Durability: Our No SMOKE product is made of high quality materials, built to last. The NO SMOKE 2 model allows the system to regenerate when the manufacturers’ ATD regenerates. Virtually alleviating the need to change the filter.
- Safety Coverage and Reliability: NO SMOKE engages immediately when the vehicle is turned on and continues filtering until the vehicle is turned off, offering complete protection at all times. The system engages automatically to streamline the process and improve efficiency in response times.
- Installation and Cost Benefits: Our trained technicians travel to your fire station to install NO SMOKE, ensuring everything functions correctly. NO SMOKE is low maintenance and once installed, requires little attention, reducing costs to maintain the system.
- Compliance With NFPA and OSHA Standards: NO SMOKE helps to keep your fire department compliant and follow best practices to eliminate diesel exhaust from the fire station and provide a comprehensive exhaust ventilation system.
Firefighters are constantly exposed to harmful chemicals and toxic particulates from smoke at an emergency or fumes from a vehicle at the station or on-scene. When a firetruck is on and running at the station and isn’t yet hooked up to a filtration hose, diesel particulates can move through the air at the fire station, landing on equipment, gear, furniture, and food, increasing your crew’s exposure to toxic, cancer-causing chemicals.
Using a hose-based exhaust filtration system does not provide adequate protection against diesel exhaust particulate exposure because it only mitigates exposure once the truck is fully hooked up to the hose. Hose systems cannot protect your crew, or other bystanders and emergency responders, on scene of an emergency, while driving the truck on the street, or while the truck is backing in, pulling in, or idling at the station. Additionally, most hose exhaust filtering systems are only used for diesel vehicles, neglecting the danger of exhaust exposure from gas based vehicles.
The only way to guarantee complete filtering of exhaust particulates from an emergency response vehicle is to install a vehicle mounted exhaust system. That way, whenever the vehicle is running, regardless of where it is, exhaust fumes are automatically filtered, reducing the steps needed to hook up the hose system at the station and providing peace of mind for your crew.
Ward Diesel’s NO SMOKE Exhaust Filter
Ward Diesel Filter Systems designs and manufactures hose-free, vehicle mounted exhaust filtering systems to eliminate firefighter exposure to dangerous diesel exhaust particulates. We have three different types of NO SMOKE diesel exhaust extraction systems to match all types of firefighter emergency vehicles including:
- NO SMOKE: Designed specially for 2006 and earlier model engines
- NO SMOKE 2: Designed specially for 2007, 2010, and newer vehicles
- We do have the capability to supply filters for 2008 and 2009 vehicles, depending on the make and model of the vehicle. Our team is available to assist you in meeting your needs
- NO SMOKE Gas: Designed specially for gasoline engines that emit higher levels of harmful gases
Our on-board diesel filtration systems are compatible with all types of firetrucks and can be installed on any emergency response type vehicle as well. Our team has experience installing NO SMOKE on police SWAT trucks, new custom built firetrucks, and existing firetrucks.
Invest in the Best Equipped Systems
Ward Diesel’s NO SMOKE diesel exhaust extraction system is an apparatus mounted exhaust filtering solution, reducing exposure to cancer causing chemicals wherever your crew is. As awareness and concern about firefighter cancer causes grow, fire departments owe it to their crews to invest in the best equipped systems to reduce vehicle exhaust exposure and mitigate cancer risks.
Ready to make the change to NO SMOKE for your firetrucks? Contact us today to get started!