Essex Industries recently was awarded the contract from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the Development of Components for Breathing Escape Apparatus.
This opportunity came as a result of an identified need by the Office of Mine Safety and Health Research for improvements to the current SCSRs (Self-Contained Self-Rescuers) used in the mining industry.
The product development will focus on two major components: (1) docking and switch-over valves and (2) hoods/masks with a passive communications element.
The docking and switch-over valve must allow seamless changeover from one escape device to another. While still breathing from the first unit, a user should be able to connect and start a new SCSR or switch to an SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus).
The new hood/mask design has to provide face and head protection as well as allow communication between users in an emergency situation.
This opportunity will allow Essex to build experience with products such as the PBE (Protective Breathing Equipment) and VRU+ (Victim Rescue Unit) to reach new customers and expand into additional segments of the Safety market.