Deployable Field Hospitals
Overview
Base Camp Services’s Negative Pressure/Isolation System integrates an engineered shelter system with a negative pressure filtration system, an isolation partition, and a pressure monitor/alarm system. The NPIS system is used with the 20’x 32.5’ DMG RDS shelter. A unique feature of the DMG NPIS is the ability to scale the size of the isolation cell within the shelter. This scalable feature provides a measure of redundancy when caring for smaller numbers of patients requiring isolation. It allows for segregation of potentially infectious patients and noninfectious patients within the same shelter if necessary while maintaining negative pressure throughout the entire shelter.
1. Filtration System.
The proprietary filtration system is an integrated IAQ Super System to effectively control all three elements of indoor air quality: particles, biologicals and gas phase (VOC’s) for superior air quality. The system consists of a high efficiency Germicidal pre filter with a sterile sweep UVC light, a blower and a final HEPA filter. The filtration unit is installed between a standard DMG 5-ton ECU and the shelter end panel to filter 100% of the return air when positive or negative pressure is required. The lightweight housing is constructed of 1/8” aluminum and the frame has forklift pockets for lifting and moving.
a. Indoor Air Quality.
The special V bank configuration of the filtration unit captures more airborne particles than typical single stage pre-filters. Its unique configuration is extremely effective against dangerous sub-micron size particles as well as molds, bacteria, and viruses. The filtration system panels capture and hold dangerous pathogens, allowing the sterile sweeps focused beam of UVC Light to kill and inactivate even highly resistant organisms such as anthrax and mold. The filtration system also helps remove unpleasant odors and provides effective protection against gas phase contaminants such as VOC’s. The final filtration stage removes 99.97% of particulates .3 microns or greater in size per CDC guidelines.
b. Specifications.
The power supply to the filtration system is 120-volt standard power and includes a manual rotary on/off switch. In addition an air proving switch is provided to shut down the UVC light when no airflow is present. The system, when functioning in combination with a DMG 5-ton ECU provides 24 air exchanges per hour (ACH), exceeding CDC guidelines. The system filters 100% of the return air and has a standard capacity of 2000 cfm. Removal of ambient volatile organic carbon compounds (VOC’s) is accomplished at a minimum rate of 30% per pass.
The system cleans return air with a non-ionizing, polarized media electronic air cleaner coupled with a UVC emitter. The UVC emitter has an oscillating parabolic reflector to focus the intensity of the light onto the filter media for complete coverage. The emitter is installed in sufficient quantity so that the media of all the air cleaners will be repeatedly swept with the focused beam of UVC. The UVC lamp has a high output T6 lamp that produces UV light in the 185nm range. The electronic pre-filter air cleaner will remove 98.6% of all contaminants .3 microns and greater and does not ionize airborne particles. The final stage of the filtration package is a HEPA filter and is rated at a minimum of 99.97% efficiency. The HEPA filtration system includes a differential pressure gauge to monitor HEPA filter pressure drop to indicate dirty filter status.
The filtration system can provide negative pressure isolation or positive pressure isolation while supplying clean filtered air. An adjustable positive or negative pressure range of (.01-.04 in. spwg.) can be achieved within any BLUMED shelter with an isolation partition.
2. Isolation Partition
a. Background.
The isolation partition can be attached at several locations within the shelter to provide a scaleable isolation cell. When attached to the 4th arch of the DMG RDS shelter it will provide approximately 260 sq ft of isolation space. In this instance, the anteroom (approx 390 sq ft) is created from the space within the shelter that is not used as an isolation cell. If the isolation cell space need is greater, the partition can be attached to any of the other interior arches allowing for isolation capabilities up to 520 sq ft with an internal anteroom that consists of the remaining shelter area.
b. Specifications.
The Isolation partition is manufactured with clear flexible material panels so that patients can be viewed without entry to the isolation area. The partition is easily installed to the arches of the BLU-MED shelter. First, an interior base frame assembly easily attaches to the shelter base frame to stabilize the bottom of the partition. Second, two upright pieces attach to the arch and the interior base frame to secure the doorway area. The clear partition is then secured to the arch with a contour rope and to the base frame with a base rope. To access the isolation area a clear zippered roll up 48” wide door has been incorporated for easy accessibility and entry. All materials including the liner, floor, end panel and partition can be decontaminated/disinfected using standard intermediate–level disinfectants. The DMG NPIS creates a negative pressure or positive pressure with respect to atmosphere within the total interior area of the DMG shelter. Air flow is maintained from clean to dirty (i.e. from anteroom to isolation area) as recommended per CDC guidelines.
3. Alarm System
a. Background.
The alarm system is a self-contained integrated package that monitors and displays negative or positive pressure and power. The alarm package mounts next to the zippered door of the isolation partition on the vertical support upright. It can be mounted inside or outside the isolation area for flexibility and ease of monitoring and use.
b. Specifications.
The alarm system incorporates an ultra sensitive pressure transducer to measure positive or negative pressures ranging from .01-.04 in. spwg. The pressure is displayed by a digital indicator and can be easily viewed. A high and low-pressure alarm is provided and the status is indicated with a long life LED indicator. The system also provides an audible alarm when an alarm condition exists and an alarm-silencing switch. The alarm package operates on 120-volt standard power and includes a manual on/off switch.