Environmental Safety Building
The University of Manitoba has completed construction of a new hazardous waste transfer station. This facility was designed with safety and emergency response considerations as top priorities. Some of the unique features of this building include:
-Intrinsically safe electrical systems
-Potentially explosive chemical storage area
-Walk in fume hood for bulking chemical waste
-Security cameras web accessible to emergency responders
-Low expansion foam and Hi-Fog water mist fire suppression systems
The Hazardous waste program is home to various pieces of specialized equipment. These include:
Hazardous Materials Unit
This unit features a custom box mounted on a 2003 GMC 2500 "dually" chassis. The all aluminum box features a rear cargo area for the transport of hazardous waste. The cargo area is designed with a sealed floor and an underbody containment tank to capture up to 205 litres of spilled material. The box also features two side compartments that house spill response equipment, supplies and personal protective equipment. The unit has a rear tailgate to effect the loading of 45 gallon drums. This vehicle is used for the day to day collection and transport of hazardous waste as well as responding to emergencies. This unit also features emergency lighting operated under the authority of a special permit issued by the motor vehicles branch.
Mobile Thermal Destruction Unit
The Mobile Thermal Destruction Unit (MTDU) is essentially a heavy duty portable incinerator. The unit is specifically designed for the disposal of unstable chemicals, fireworks, flares, and ammunition. Several U.S. police bomb squads operate these units. Our unit was the first one sold in Canada and is the only one in operation by a University.
The unit is consists of a perforated 3/8 inch steel box inside a second solid 3/8 inch steel box. Three propane torches fire the unit. The unit exhausts through a 3 foot stack equipped with an afterburner. Continuous loading of the unit is achieved through a 3 inch feeder tube or the unit may be batch fed through a door on the rear of the unit.
The MTDU is operated by the University under the special authority of a Directors Order issued by Manitoba Conservation. Only potentially unstable chemicals generated by the University of Manitoba are disposed of with this unit.
Emergency Response Equipment And Supplies
The hazardous waste program maintains an inventory of hazardous materials spill response equipment and supplies. These serve double duty for responding to spills on campus as well as for the day to day operation of the hazardous waste program. Equipment includes:
Sampling and monitoring equipment
Miran Sapphire infrared analyzer
Multi gaz detectors
Low flow Gillian air sampling pumps
High flow Gillian air sampling pump
Bulk asbestos sampling kits
Basic field sampling and testing equipment
Ifrared camera
PPE
Scott Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR)
Survivair full face respirators
Survivair half face respirators
Level B chemical protective garments
Chemical resistant tape
Structural turnout gear
Kevlar vests
Nomex IIIa coveralls
Variety of chemical resistant gloves, boots
Specialized equipment
Blasting equipment
Air diaphram aluminum pumps (Viton fitted)
Spark proof tools and small container patching kit
Small tank patching kit
Misc hand tools
Absorbents etc...
Universal absobent pads
Hydrocarbon absorbent pads and booms
Zorball
Vermiculite
55 gallon recovery drums
45 gallon drums
5 gallon pails
Additional equipment is also available from Physical Plant. These include:
Intrinsically safe ventilation fan and ducting
Confined space entry equipment
Heavy equipment
