Preliminary testing of the modified mail pass and biohazard detection system for the ventilation and filtration system of the automated facer canceller system at Siemens Postal Automation Facility Arlington, Texas.
Authors
Hammond DR; Crouch KG
Source
Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, EPHB 279-23a, 2006 Nov; :1-7
Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a preliminary evaluation of the local exhaust ventilation at the delivery bins and a qualitative evaluation of the contaminant capture capabilities of the Biohazard Detection System (BDS) and Ventilation/Filtration System (VFS) for the Advanced Facer Canceller System (APCS). This evaluation was made on September 26, 2006 at Siemens in Arlington, Texas. The APCS was being modified for the United States Postal Service (USPS) by Siemens to meet USPS requirements and where possible reduce the potential for employee exposure to harmful substances that could be contained in mail processed by the equipment. The ventilation system for the APCS was designed to be used with a Biohazard Detection System (BDS) that samples and analyzes air from the APCS to determine if a biohazard is present. NIOSH has been evaluating Ventilation/Filtration Systems (VFS) for the USPS as a part of the USPS Emergency Preparedness Plan since January 2002. Evaluations were based on air velocity measurements and smoke release observations. Since the evaluation was only a preliminary test and Siemens was in the process of making additional modifications to the equipment, a full evaluation including sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) as a tracer gas was not yet performed. The smoke release experiments showed that generally there is good capture by the VFS. Some interference by room air currents were noticed during smoke releases at the delivery bins. Capture of the smoke improved when temporary baffles were constructed to limit interference with room air currents. Smoke releases into the post flats extractor enclosure showed some smoke escaping when the BDS was exhausting into the enclosure. However, the enclosure performed well after the BDS exhaust was removed and the port was sealed. Air velocity measurements at all evaluated locations were above 100 ft/min. Based on the results in this report, the following recommendations are made to further improve the control of potential contaminants by the APCS ventilation and filtration system. There are areas at the letter delivery bins where contaminant might escape into the ambient atmosphere due to air currents in the general room air. This was shown by smoke release observations. Capture at this area was improved by adding temporary baffles. It is recommended that permanent baffles be installed. Smoke release observations showed poor capture in the area where the BDS exhausts into the post flats extractor enclosure. It is recommended that the BDS exhaust be relocated to exhaust manifold one to improve containment at the post flats extractor enclosure. All other evaluated areas appeared to be either well enclosed or adequately contained according to the smoke release and air velocity testing performed during this evaluation.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Applied Research and Technology, Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch, Mail Stop R-5, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226
Publication Date
20061101
Document Type
Field Studies; Control Technology
Fiscal Year
2007
NTIS Accession No.
PB2007-112686
NTIS Price
A02
Identifying No.
EPHB-279-23a
NIOSH Division
DART
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.
For more information on CDC's web notification policies, see Website Disclaimers.
CDC.gov Privacy Settings
We take your privacy seriously. You can review and change the way we collect information below.
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.
Cookies used to make website functionality more relevant to you. These cookies perform functions like remembering presentation options or choices and, in some cases, delivery of web content that based on self-identified area of interests.
Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data.
Cookies used to enable you to share pages and content that you find interesting on CDC.gov through third party social networking and other websites. These cookies may also be used for advertising purposes by these third parties.
Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. If you need to go back and make any changes, you can always do so by going to our Privacy Policy page.