Feature: Gas Masks
A dust test at one of the environmental chambers in ECBC’s Environmental and Field Branch evaluates the seal of the Joint Service General Purpose Mask. (U.S. Army photo)
and working correctly, no aerosol gets inside the mask and a large PF number is generated,” said Steve Yurechko, protective factor test team leader. “Protection factor is the pass/fail criteria for a mask.” “Each mask has a minimum PF associated with it that it should meet when somebody wears it correctly. That’s what we verify here.” The assessment includes 10 one-minute exercises designed to stress the mask’s ability to seal the subject’s face. These exercises include actions like normal breathing, deep breathing, sighting the rifle, reaching for the floor and ceiling, facial expressions, and moving the head in different directions. During protection factor testing, ECBC personnel are able to measure particular concentration levels in real-time and troubleshoot observed anomalies on the spot.
Filter Systems and Facility Protection in the Field ECBC has more than 70 years of experience in development, testing and application of collective protection systems, including building protection projects that have occurred on more than 100 facilities in the United States and abroad. The center has a team specializing in the protection of people. It focuses in three major areas: sustainment of legacy collective protection equipment, support to active acquisition programs, and support to protected fixed-site facilities. Each heavility focuses on fielding and maintenance of various collective protection systems, such as protective filtration systems incorporated into the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system of a protected building. “If there was an attack, these filters are there to protect the
people,” explained John Clayton, Collective protection Sustainment and Fixed Site team leader. “The systems filter incoming air and provide overpressure in the protected space. As pressure is increased, air travels from the protected area to the contaminated area through any leaks, so we don’t have to worry about absolutely sealing every leak point. This results in protected space for work and relief from wearing IP equipment.” To ensure the efficacy of these systems, the team also conducts semi-annual leak tests and periodic surveillance involving removal and tests of filters to analyze degradation and predict when they should be replaced. These tests indicate how well the system is performing; some systems use hundreds of individual filters. If the filters need to be replaced, the team coordinates with TACOM to order replacements and conduct change outs—an
area of growth for the team, Clayton said. An Interagency Agreement is in review to provide support to the State Department Bureau of Overseas Buildings. The team is currently working with the Chemical Biological Radiological Filtration Branch to develop new filtration technologies, including work on new absorbents to address a change in threat. Jerry Young, a collective protection team member, is working with the branch to develop the Rapid Filter Protection Assessment Tool, which is a smartphone app that will assist users by estimating filter life in given potential field scenarios. “We execute against user requirements, leverage what they develop, and work to field the technology,” Clayton said. He aslo noted that customers within the Joint Project Manager-Protection have expressed interest in the new absorbent technologies with the hope of being transitioned into a more advanced mask series. By reorganizing the collective protection and individual protection teams, ECBC provides a unique blend of seasoned engineers to apply their expertise and collaborate in order to solve customer’s most complex protective equipment problems.
Shaping the Next Generation ECBC has protected American forces from the threat of chemical and biological weapons for more than 96 years. With current scientific knowledge and proven test beds, the center continues to provide CBRNE protection for future Warfighter. From individual to collective protective gear, ECBC has the experience to test new technologies and train personnel in order to shape the next generation of protective equipment against tomorrow’s threats.
September 2013 | army technology Magazine | 17