GB2434162A

GB2434162A - Mobile decontamination shelter

Info

Publication number: GB2434162A
Application number: GB0600551A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Duncan Charles Gray
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-01-12
Filing date: 2006-01-12
Publication date: 2007-07-18
Also published as: GB0600551D0

Abstract

The mobile decontamination shelter, for treating people contaminated by nuclear, biological or chemical materials, is formed from a number of modules that can be connected in a variety of different layouts, said modules including a washing module 1 and modules 2,3 for dressing and undressing. The washing module is preferably twice the size of the dressing/undressing modules and may be used independently with curtains or screens breaking up the internal space to form changing areas. Attachment points for connecting adjoining modules are preferably supplied on each side of each module and interchangeable panels may be located in each side wall to form doors, windows or blank walls as required. Effluent holding tanks designed to be fed by gravitational flow from the washing module may be formed in the base 18 of one or more of the modules or alternatively be located externally. Folding ramps may be provided to aid access to the modules and the ramps may act as doors when raised. The modules may be designed to facilitate alternative uses.

Description

Patent Application Casualty Decontamination Shelter System This

invention relates to decontamination shelter system for the decontamination of contaminated persons who may or may not be sick or injured, referred to herein as "casualties".

According to the invention, a number of innovative features are incorporated into this decontamination shelter system.

Decontamination of casualties is needed when they have become contaminated with dangerous materials (such as nuclear, biological or chemical materials). This usually occurs as a result of an accident, and thereafter decontamination is needed as an emergency measure. Decontamination is usually achieved by simply washing the casualties using a shower or similar apparatus, usually with the addition of soap or detergent, within a room or shelter of some type made specifically for this purpose.

The specifications needed for a decontamination facility depends on the needs of those who require decontamination. If those who require decontamination are ambulatory and able to decontaminate themselves (usually a process similar to having a normal shower), they do not require assistance from those operating, or "staffing", the facility. However, if those who require decontamination require assistance during the decontamination process (including undressing and dressing) from those operating the facility, for example because of injury or illness caused by the contaminants, then the facility must be provided such that this is made possible. In particular some casualties may require urgent medical intervention to save life while at the same time being decontaminated, a process taught and practised by many authoritative bodies such as the British Army Royal Army Medical Corps. Where assistance is needed, space and access must be provided, for example a large enough washing area to accommodate both a stretcher and those assisting, and provision must be made for stretcher access through doorways. The invention focuses mainly on those who require assistance.

The provision of decontamination facilities poses a number of problems. These include expense, privacy for casualties, the containment of contaminated effluent (sometimes referred to as "grey water"), provision of appropriate space for the shelter/room, time required to ready the facility for use in an emergency, complexity and operator training issues.

The amount of space, and the shape of the space available for the facility, is important issues in certain locations, for example for hospital Accident and Emergency Departments. In this example, if an external decontamination facility is used, access routes for decontaminated casualties into the hospital building are also issues.

The time taken to ready a decontamination facility for use is critical in many emergency situations, so it is most desirable to minimise this time. Similarly it is most desirable to minimise the complexity and number of procedures, and the number of staff required, to prepare the facility for emergency use.

Decontamination facilities are of various designs but can generally be divided into fixed permanent facilities such as a room or building, or mobile shelter facilities.

Mobile facilities can be wheel based (such as on a truck or trailer), collapsible (such as a tent or inflatable structure) or moveable (such as a prefabricated room or rooms which can be lifted on and off a truck). The invention relates to a movable type of decontamination shelter, although some of the innovative features can also be applied to other types of mobile or wheel based shelters.

The invention described is movable shelter, made up of sub units, or chambers, referred herein as "modules". It can be moved between locations by detaching the modules from each other and then reassembling them at the new location.

The modules which make up the shelter are preferably provided in three types: a washing module (1), a casualty undressing module (2) and a casualty dressing module (3), the latter two being referred herein as "ancillary modules". The washing module is equipped with a shower (4) or showers and a drain (5) set in the floor.

The two ancillary modules are preferably the same or identical as each other and optionally contain no special fittings. The ancillary modules are preferably square and are preferably half the size of the washing module.

When connected together, doors between the modules allow casualties to move between the modules.

Electrical power and a water supply for the facility are preferably taken from a nearby building. Lighting, and heating are preferably incorporated into the units for utility and comfort, and extractor fans are preferably provided to remove contaminated air from within the shelter. The extractor fans are optionally located on the ceiling of the modules, and thus the tendency of hot air to rise would add to the flow of air through the extractor fans. Preferably fan heaters are used to create positive pressure inside the modules, creating ventilation by means of air escaping through, for example, the doors, vents, gaps between modules, etc. The water used for washing casualties is preferably heated by use of the electrical power, preferably by means of commercially available domestic shower units, and with optionally four per washing module.

The water supply and effluent connections on the shelter are all preferably provided with easily connected and disconnected fittings and preferably achieve this by use of commonly available garden hose fittings such as the "hozeloc" or "gardina" brand hose fitting systems, these being widely available at garden centres. Also, these fittings are preferably provided with the feature that once disconnected, the flow of water or effluent is automatically stopped by means of a valve or similar apparatus, this being a feature found on many of these commonly available hose fitting systems.

Use of this type of commonly available connections also has the advantage of being compatible with commonly available garden hose, which is also preferably used ihroughout the shelter system. These connections would allow easy connection and disconnection of the sections of hose used in the shelter system, if this was required by the user (i.e. those personnel staffing, or operating, the shelter), before, during or afler decontamination.

Furthermore the connections used in all of these parts of the shelter are preferably provided such that they are all compatible with each other, for example being made by the same manufacturer, such as "hozeloc".

Use of the above described simple and commonly available fittings and hose helps in enabling the user to easily adapt or repair or replace the hose and connections. This may also facilitate some of the optional other uses of the shelter such as use as a normal shower area (of which see later).

The fittings used would also be provided preferably at both ends of all of the hose connections used, to allow detachment of both ends of the hose, if required by the user.

These commonly available hose fittings used preferably throughout the shelter, as described above, usually use a male and female fitting system. If a male and female fitting system is used, then preferably the pieces of hose used to connect the various parts of the shelter system (for example the auxiliary tanks to the tanks in the base of the modules), are provided with either male of female fittings such that the connecting hose pieces are interchangeable between different areas of the shelter, as far as this is possible. For example if all of the hose pieces were to be fitted with male fittings at both ends, and all of the effluent tanks were to be fitted with female fittings, this would allow the hose pieces to be interchanged and either end of the hose used to make the various effluent tank connections. Furthermore the fitting are preferably used such that an automatic close off feature described above is provided on the effluent tank side of the fitting, and also optionally on the hose piece side of the fitting.

The hoses and connecting fittings used, in parts or all of the shelter, can optionally be provided such that they are designed to be such that, and made from materials such that, the hoses and fittings have a reduced tendency to absorb and or leak toxic or dangerous substances.

The (preferably) three modules (comprising one undressing one washing and one dressing module) can be attached to each other in a variety of ways to suit the user (examples shown in figures 2, 3, 5 and 6). This provides flexibility in the layout, size and the shape of the space occupied by the completed shelter. Walking casualties preferably proceed through the shelter modules in the following order as they are processed: undressing, washing and dressing.

Access for stretcher patients in and out of the shelter is preferably through the same external doors (6) as for walking patients for some layouts where the modules are aligned such that stretcher access is possible through the doors, as in figure 2.

However, for other layouts, where the modules are not aligned in a way that allows the stretchers to pass through the sequential doors, such as in figure 3, stretcher access is optionally through additional external doors (7), thus by passing the dressing (2) and the undressing (3) modules. The need for these additional stretcher access doors would depend on the exact layout of the shelter, stretcher size and user preference.

The user can preferably also choose to use any combination of the different modules provided, other than one of each of the three different modules, to form a decontamination shelter. For example the user could choose to use one washing module, two undressing modules and two dressing modules, joined together (example layout shown in figure 6).

The invention also optionally provides for the washing module to be used independently without any of the ancillary modules, if required by the user, by means of curtains (8) or other barrier system, such as a fixed partition, within the washing module to provide small undressing (9) and dressing areas (10) within the washing module. The curtain rails (11) are optionally fitted in the washing module to provide for this option should the user wish to use it.

With the described above modular system, the modules can be connected together in to form a shelter system in a wide rage of shapes, sizes and different module combinations. Furthermore, since the undressing and dressing modules are preferably provided such that they are similar or identical as each other, their roles can be interchanged, this simplifying manufacture, supply, etc. Furthermore this enables the user, or operator, of the shelter to easily change the use, or role, of an ancillary module to suit requirements. Even on the day of an emergency decontamination, the user can make a decision on the role of an ancillary module: for dressing or undressing or indeed any other role, based on the requirements presenting themselves on the day. For example casualties may unexpectedly present themselves to the facility dressed in clothing which is complex and time consuming to remove (for example personnel from a factory wearing protective clothing), in this event the operator may elect, on the day, to use two of the ancillary modules for undressing and one for dressing, this would be possible in the layout shown in the example in figure 5, with the role of module 12 being electively changed on the day. By electing to install doors between modules in strategic places, by means of using the interchangeable panels, the user can pre plan such a flexible use of modules as described above.

To further facilitate flexible use of the ancillary modules, the ancillary modules can optionally also be provided with shower facilities intended for use by ambulatory casualties, in this case the floor of the module would also have to have a drain arrangement as describes elsewhere herein for the washing module, and a effluent tank built into the base of the module.

In order to facilitate an option of using the washing module to decontaminate two parallel streams of ambulatory casualties, for example one male stream and one female stream, in certain layouts of the modules (an example of which is shown in figure 6) the washing module is preferably provided with a curtain rail, to enable quick installation of a curtain, or a similar temporary partition down the centre of the washing module (13).

The invention also preferably provides that the walls of the modules can be constructed to incorporate interchangeable panels, to allow a selection of different panels to be installed to suit the users needs (figure 7). These panels are preferably provided with attachment fittings such that they can be easily removed and reattached by the user. These attachment fittings are optionally provided such that they also function as the attachment fittings for attaching the modules together. These interchangeable panels are preferably provided as window panels (14), solid panels (15) (alternatively described as or blank or plane panels) or door panels (16). The window panels optionally include a clear (non opaque) opening window. The door panels can optionally be provided in one or more different types, for example different door types for internal doors (for connecting between modules) and external doors. These interchangeable panels preferably enable the different modules to be attached together in the various different layouts possible, with doors panels being fitted into the appropriate places where the modules attach together to facilitate casualty movement between modules by opening and closing the doors. Optionally the door panels connecting the modules can be provided such that the moving (hinging) actual door can be removed thus leaving a door shaped space between modules without any door to close the door shaped space, should the provider wish to use this as an option.

Hinged doors are preferably used but optionally other alternatives can be used in the openings between the modules, including curtains for example. An optional alternative, which can be used in the openings between the modules, is to provide the shelter such that interchangeable panels can be omitted where the modules abut, leaving an opening between the modules.

The invention also preferably provides that the modules have attachment points, or fittings, (17) on the outer sides of the modules to allow easy connection and disconnection of the modules to each other, being preferably provided on all four sides of each module, thus enabling the modules to be attached together easily in any of the different layouts possible. These fittings can optionally be installed on the roof or other aspect of the modules. These fittings may be provided by use of means such as eye and hooks, zips, catches, clasps, bolts, screws, brackets, magnets, springs, male and female fittings or brackets, etc. Gaps which may be present between modules after assembly of the shelter by joining together various modules are not undesirable as this may help provide ventilation of the modules.

Disposal of effluent directly into public drainage systems, or otherwise into the environment, is subject to strict regulations imposed by various Government bodies.

As a result, decontamination systems need to have a processing or containment system for effluent, the latter being the usual method.

Effluent containment systems for fixed permanent facilities are usually provided by means of a large capacity (often subterranean) holding tank. With regard to the volume of these tanks, the usual intension is to provide a large enough tank capacity that would give the user a reasonable degree of confidence that the tank will be able to hold all of the effluent from all the casualties from a contamination incident which the facility may face in the future. If the tank is of insufficient volume to deal with all the casualties this could result in overflow of the effluent into the drainage system or environment, or into the casualty washing area, depending on the configuration of the system. Following decontamination of the casualties from an incident, disposal of the effluent held in the tank is usually done by pumping it into a mobile tank and transporting it elsewhere for disposal. Installing a fixed site holding tank is often expensive and problematic.

An alternative system for dealing with effluent, which is usually used with mobile facilities, is that the effluent is pumped from a small volume catchment sump, located usually below the casualty washing area, into a holding tank. The effluent in the holding tank is then usually dealt with by transporting it elsewhere for disposal.

Pumping systems may add to the complexity olthe unit, and may contribute to preparation required prior to use in an emergency.

Some vehicle based systems use a holding tank system located in the lower part (or underside) of the vehicle, and some of these use gravitational flow to allow the effluent to flow into the tanks.

Maximising the volume (or capacity) of the effluent holding tank is therefore important. The number of casualties which can be decontaminated in a decontamination faci]ity is often limited by the volume of the effluent holding tank. A small capacity will severely limit the number of casualties which can be decontaminated, to a degree where the shelter has limited utility, and limit the degree to which the shelter can be relied upon to deal with all of the casualties which may present as a result of a contamination incident. Limited effluent tank capacity is usually more of an issue associated with mobile facilities, rather than fixed facilities.

Some effluent management systems do not adequately separate the casualties (and shelter operating staff) from the contaminated effluent, which may be a hazard. Some systems allow the casualties to stand in an effluent sump or tank, or to be exposed to splashes from the effluent sump or tank. This is particularly undesirable where the contaminant floats on the surface of the effluent water. Furthermore some contaminants, such as volatile liquids, can evaporate from the surface of the effluent, and if the casualties are not protected from this then unnecessary exposure to the vapour or gas can result.

To overcome many of the limitations and problems of the above-described systems for dealing with effluent, the present invention preferably provides for a holding tank or tanks to form the base of the shelter (18). This allows flow of the effluent under gravitational flow directly from the washing area into the tank forming the base of the washing module as shown in the example in figure 4.

The effluent holding tank or tanks are incorporated into the base of the shelter modules such that preferably the whole of the base of the shelter is formed by, or made up of, the tanks, such that if a casualty was standing within a module so constructed, he would preferably be standing on the upper surface of the tank. The tanks preferably extend to cover the entire area of ground occupied by the shelter module or modules. The shelter could also be described as sitting upon a base made up of the tanks. This system maximises the volume of the effluent holding tanks within the area occupied by the shelter.

Optionally the shelter is constructed such that the effluent holding tanks which form the base of the shelter are detachable from the other parts of the shelter modules (i.e. the wails, roof, etc, or what could be termed the "superstructure" of the shelter). This could optionally be done such that detachment and reattachment could be done easily and reversibly by the user if needed. Such attachment of the superstructure of the shelter modules to the tanks coeld be made by a variety of means such as clips, pins, brackets, fasteners, clasps, bolts, springs, spring loaded clips or other fittings. Also the tanks forming the base could also optionally be provided with a lip or protuberances or recess or grooves or similar such that when the superstructure sits on, and fits onto, the tanks it engages with the features in optionally a male and female maimer or similar. Optionally the modules can be provided with a detachable superstructure which has a floor or partial floor, provided such that it fits onto the top surface of the tank which forms the base of the unit.

Preferably the modules are provided such that there is one effluent tank forming the base of each module, however, optionally the tanks can be provided such that there is more than one tank comprising each or some of the module bases.

Detachment of the superstructure of the module from the tank forming the base of the shelter, as described above, may be a useful feature to enable the module to be broken down into smaller parts as it may make moving, maintaining or cleaning the module easier under some circumstances. Also this feature may aid emptying of the tanks built into the base of the shelter, as it may be easier to tip up the tank if it was separated from the superstructure, allowing better flow of effluent through the drainage port. Additionally a detachable superstructure may also make removal of the effluent form the site easier in some circumstances as separation of the tank from the superstructure would make it easer for the tank to be removed from the site with the effluent contained within it.

Drainage of effluent from the washing area within the washing module, into the effluent holding tank below, is preferably provided by one or more drains, which are preferably fitted with a flap valve (19) or other valve or similar system which allows flow of the effluent down into the tank but does not allow the free flow of gas or vapour to move upwards from the tank into the washing module. Also, optionally, the effluent holding tanks built into the base of the modules have a small venting port (20), or ports, located on the outside of the tank near the upper edge (in order for the venting port to be located above the surface of the effluent), such that any vapour or gas within the effluent tank can escape to the outside of the shelter (and not into the inside of the shelter). These vents are preferably provided such that they have a flap or similar valve apparatus such that the flow of gas or vapour can only occur in an outward direction from the tank into the surrounding atmosphere. In the event of the effluent holding tank becoming full, these venting ports could optionally be designed to also function as overflow ports in the event of such an unplanned event, thus allowing effluent to escape from the tank into the environment or a drain rather than to overflow into the washing area or other casualty areas.

The invention preferably provides for the capacity of the holding tanks built into the base of a completed 3 module shelter (one washing, one undressing and one dressing module) to be similar to a fixed facility holding tank (i.e. the intension is to provide a large enough to give the user a reasonable degree of confidence that the tank will be able to hold all of the effluent from all the casualties from a typical contamination incident that the facility may face in the future). The volume of the tank in the washing module would preferably be 4 to 8 cubic meters and preferably half of that for each of the ancillary modules (these modules being preferably half the size of the washing module). This could be provided, for example, with an effluent tank for the washing module with optional dimensions as follows, approximately: 4m by 2m by O.5m high. If the volume of water used to decontaminate one casualty was taken as approximately 100 litres, this example tank (of 4 cubic meters, equalling 4000 litres) would provide enough capacity to hold the effluent from approximately 40 casualties.

The advantages of providing the holding tank as the base of the shelter are: simplicity, availability of the shelter for immediate use, avoidance of the need for an effluent pumping system and maximising the effluent holding capacity within the space limitations of the movable shelter, and within the space limitations which may be present in some shelter set up locations.

The invention preferably provides for holding tanks to form the base of all of the modules: washing, dressing and undressing. The tank in the base of each module is preferably connected to the adjacent module by means of connection ports (21), allowing the flow of effluent between tanks preferably by gravitational flow, i.e. without the use of pumps. These connection ports are preferably provided with commonly available connecting fittings such as "hoseloc", as described above. These connection ports are preferably provided for use as universal, or multi purpose, ports acting also as drainage ports and as ports for connection of auxiliary effluent tanks (described below) and for any other purpose as required. Thee ports may also optionally be used to connect a flow of water or other liquid into the tank, in order to aid purging, cleaning or rinsing of the effluent tanks.

The effluent holding tanks located in the base of the modules as described above, all preferably have drainage ports located preferably at or near one or more lower corner of the effluent tank as shown in the examples shown in figure 9 and 10, and preferably have these drainage ports on all four lower corners of each of the module effluent tanks. The drainage ports are also preferably fitted with commonly available fittings such as "hozeloc", as described above. The drainage ports are also preferably provided in a recess in the corner of the module effluent tanks (as shown in the examples shown in figure 9 and 10) thus reducing the risk of accidental damage, and the corner location may also give better access to the ports, for example when two modules are attached together.

Drainage of the effluent holding tanks is usually necessary after a training session where water has been allowed to flow into the tanks, or after decontamination of casualties. The invention provides for that in the former the effluent could be drained into a nearby drain using a hose attached (preferably using fittings as described) to the drainage port, but in the latter case the effluent would need to be transferred into another tank for removal and disposal (optionally using commonly available hose fittings and hose as described above to help facilitate this).

The invention also preferably provides for external auxiliary effluent holding tanks.

These can be attached to one or more outside walls of, preferably, any of the modules when in their storage position (an example of one such option is shown in figure 11), or they can be stored elsewhere.

These externally attached tanks are preferably fitted with commonly available fittings such as "hozeloc", and preferably use commonly available hose or similar (22), as described above, to connect them to the effluent tanks built into the base of the modules, preferably suing the multipurpose ports (21).

Externally attached auxiliary tanks can be moved to their deployed (operational) position, and or connected in terms of effluent flow, by the operator prior to, or during, casualty decontamination. This may be done in the event that the extra capacity of the tanks is, or may be, required (for example if large numbers of casualties were requiring decontamination). Flow of effluent from the shelter effluent tanks to these auxiliary external tanks, when in their operational position is preferably by gravitational flow, i.e. without the use of pumps.

Externally attached auxiliary tanks, if stored in a location such as nearby or on the roof of the shelter, can be attached (in terms of effluent flow) to the effluent tanks built into the base of the moduleswhile in their storage location if required by the user, or can be attached before or during casualty decontamination.

With regard to the external auxiliary effluent holding tanks which are attached to one or more outside walls of the modules, these tanks are preferably placed on the ground beside the decontamination shelter in their deployed position (as shown in the example in figure 12), or optionally a longer hose can be provided to allow placement of the tank on the ground further away from the shelter. These tanks can be stored (stowed) on the sidewall of the shelter either within a housing provided for the purpose (24) or not within a housing. The tank is preferably brought down to the deployed (operational) position by the operator, preferably using a simple and straightforward mechanism such as a removable pin (25), release chord, lever, or similar apparatus. When in the stowed position these tanks and or their hosing are preferably provided such that they do not obstruct or interfere with pedestrians, motor vehicles, etc which may pass close by the shelter. This can be achieved for example by ensuring that the tank storage position is high enough from the ground. When provided within a housing, these tanks are preferably collapsible or foldable, being optionally constructed of a flexible material such as flexible plastic sheeting, to further facilitate space saving in their stowed position (23). Alternatively these tanks can be constructed of rigid material in which case they are preferably not provided within a housing. These tanks (or the housing within which they are stowed) are optionally attached to the side wall of the module by means which is compatible with the attachment points used to connect the modules together, and or the attachment points used to attach the interchangeable panels, as described above.

With regard to external auxiliary effluent holding tanks that can be stored elsewhere other than on the outside wall surface of the modules, these can be stored by the user where convenient, including for example on the roof of the modules. Also, they can be stored in a location other than in close proximity to the shelter, for example in a nearby building, to be brought out and attached (in terms of effluent flow) to the shelter when needed. The hose provided to connect these tanks to the tank built into the base of the modules is provided in a length of optionally around 4 meters to allow ) the user to place the tank on the ground in a convenient area, taking into account the level of the ground to (preferably) allow gravitational flow.

The above described system for auxiliary attached effluent tanks would preferably allow attachment (in terms of effluent flow) of several auxiliary tanks simultaneously to several drainage ports on the shelter as required by the user, and would also preferably allow attachment of one auxiliary tank after another to one module drainage port, if required by the user. The latter may be desired if an auxiliary tank became full or damaged for example.

The invention also preferably incorporates hinged ramps (26), which fold up into their stowed position, the ramps being provided for the purpose of enabling wheeled casualty stretchers etc. to be brought in and out of the shelter (figure 13). Stowing the ramps in this way provides for space saving, but yet enabling rapid and simple deployment.

The invention also preferably provides for these ramps to act as doors when in their stowed (up) position (27). Therefore when moved to their operational (down) position (26), the doorway would be opened, allowing casualties to enter or exit.

The invention also preferably provides for the modules to be shaped and sized specifically to fit into car parking spaces. For example the layout shown in figure 2 would occupy two car parking spaces end to end, and in the example layout in figure 3, the shelter would occupy two car parking spaces side by side, and in the example layout shown in figure 6 the shelter would occupy three parking spaces side by side.

This allows efficient use available of space which may be an issue in some locations such as hospital Accident and Emergency Departments where car parking spaces are usually available near the entrance.

The invention also preferably provides features incorporated specifically to enable that the shelter can be used for other purposes, i.e. uses other than casualty decontamination, such as a staff smoking area. Switches, taps and other controls inside the shelter are preferably made tamper proof', for example by providing protection in tamper proof boxes. Preferably some of the controls can be made accessible to those using the shelter for other uses other than decontamination, such as access to lighting switches and limited heating controls, but optionally not to the water taps or shower controls. Also window panels are provided as described above in order to help facilitate these other uses, such as a staff smoking area, if required by the user. Seats and benches for sitting are also optionally incorporated within the shelter, with preferably a spring folding mechanism which returns the seat or bench back to the vertical position after it has been used. The seats can then be used for example when in use as a smoking shelter, but fold out of the way when used for decontamination.

The invention also preferably provides for use of the shelter as a shower area, for routine washing of personnel (as opposed to removal of dangerous materials referred herein as "decontamination") and provides features to enable this use, including for example drainage of the water used for showering. This could be achieved by preferably connecting one or more of the drainage ports to a hose or hoses preferably using the fittings as described above (i.e. such as "hoseloc"), and the hose or hoses then being placed into a suitable drain. If the shelter was then to be required for decontamination, then the aforementioned drainage hose or hoses would be disconnected by the user (or close off by means of a valve or tap or similar apparatus) such that escape of contaminated effluent did not discharge into the drain or otherwise into the environment.

With reference to the erection of the shelter, uneven ground or ground with is not level should preferably be prepared for the shelter by making the ground level and even. Alternatively the shelter can be supported on supports consisting of, for example, wooden batons or railway sleepers, to overcome the problems of unprepared ground. To enable use of the shelter on unprepared ground, the base should preferably have sufficient strength to withstand the forces and wear and tear that may be encountered. Furthermore, the attachment means provided to attach the modules together should preferably make allowance for use of the shelter on unprepared ground, by means of, for example, providing a flexible joining mechanism such a springs with hooks attached, or by providing more than one bolt hole for attachment bolts.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which their is ten (10) pages.

Figure one shows the shelter assembled using one of each of the three modules, in a linear layout.

Figure two shows a plan view of the shelter in a linear layout, as in figure 1.

Figure three shows a plan view of the shelter, assembled using one of each of the three modules, in a square layout.

Figure four shows a cross section through an example of a washing module.

Figure five shows another layout option, using one washing module and three ancillary modules.

Figure six shows another layout option, using one washing module and four ancillary modules.

Figure seven shows the interchangeable panels.

Figure eight shows an ancillary module with attachment points to connect it to adjacent modules, and universal connection ports on the lower corner of the effluent tank, which is built into the base of the module.

Figure nine show in more detail the universal connection port built into a recess in the lower corner of the effluent tank.

Figure ten shows the connection of two universal connection ports on adjacent modules, using hosepipe and hose fittings. The modules are shown pulled apart slightly to aid clarity of the connection.

Figure eleven shows an externally attached auxiliary effluent holding tank fitted to the sidewall of a module. It is shown in its stowage position.

Figure twelve shows an externally attached auxiliary effluent holding tank, as in figure twelve, with the tank in its operational position.

Figure thirteen shows the hinged ramps in the up and down positions.

Claims

Claims 1. A moveable decontamination shelter in modular form,

comprising means to enable the shelter modules to be connected (or joined) together in a variety of different layouts.

2. A moveable decontamination shelter as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a washing module, a dressing module and an undressing module.

3. A moveable decontamination shelter as claimed in claim 2, further comprising the dressing and undressing modules that are the same in their size and shape and otherwise in their basic construction, and where the washing module is approximately equal in size and shape to the dressing and undressing modules when those two latter modules are attached together.

4. A moveable decontamination shelter as claimed in claim 2, that further comprises the means by which the various sub units can be connected together using one or more of any of the different subunits, but incorporating at least one washing unit.

5. A moveable decontamination shelter as claimed in claim 2 that further comprises the washing module to be adaptable with curtains or other screens to enable the module to be used independently, the curtains or other screens providing a small dressing and a small undressing area at opposite ends of the module.

6. A moveable mobile decontamination shelter that comprises attachment points or fitting on all four side aspects of each module allowing easy attachment and detachment of the various modules.

7. A moveable modular decontamination shelter which comprises interchangeable panels incorporated into the four walls of all of the modules.

8. A moveable decontamination shelter (as claimed in claim 7) further comprising a washing module having six interchangeable wall panels: two panels on each of the two longer walls and one on each of the other two walls.

9. A moveable decontamination shelter (as claimed in claim 7) further comprising a choice of panels as follows: a door (for connecting between modules or a door for exit/entry), a window, or a blank (i.e. plane or solid) pane!.

10. A moveable decontamination shelter, which comprises an effluent holding tank or tanks which form the base of the shelter.

11. A moveable modular decontamination shelter which comprises an effluent holding tank or tanks which form the base of the washing module.

12. A moveable modular decontamination shelter, which comprises an effluent holding tank or tanks which form the base of its modules other than the washing module (i.e. ancillary modules).

13. A moveable modular decontamination shelter as claimed in claim 11 and 12, further comprising that the tanks are attached together such that flow of the effluent by between the tanks is by gravitational flow.

14. A moveable modular decontamination shelter as claimed in claim 11 anl2 which further comprises universal ports on one or more of the effluent tanks, these ports enabling use for tank drainage, purging or rinsing, and attachment to other effluent tanks.

15. A moveable decontamination shelter as claimed in claim 10, further comprising effluent holding tanks which incorporate venting ports in the outer aspect of the tanks, such that any escaping gas or vapour or liquid is discharged into the environment and not into the inside of the shelter.

16. A moveable decontamination shelter as claimed in claim 10, further comprising effluent holding tanks which incorporate a drain to facilitate flow of effluent from the washing area into the holding tank below with a flap or similar valve which reduces any vapours, gases or splashes from travelling from the tank up into the casualty washing area.

17. A moveable decontamination shelter incorporating external effluent holding tanks which are stowed in their storage position (as opposed to their operational position) on the outer aspect of the side wall of the shelter such that they are held up high enough to be out of the way of pedestrians, vehicles, etc 18. A moveable decontamination shelter with external effluent holding tanks which are attached to the shelter (in terms of effluent flow) and, when in their operational position, allow flow of the effluent by gravitational means and are easily attached and detached by the user.

19. A moveable modular decontamination shelter with effluent holding tanks, which comprises the use of easily attachable and detachable hose fittings and hose throughout the shelter system which are the same, i.e. compatible, throughout the shelter system.

20. A moveable decontamination shelter as claimed in claim 1, which further provides hinged folding ramps, the ramps being provided for the purpose of enabling casualty stretchers etc to be brought in and out of the shelter 21. A moveable decontamination shelter as claimed in claim 20 that further provides for the ramps to act as doors when in their stowed (up) position.

22. A moveable decontamination shelter in modular form comprising attachment points or fittings for the easy attachment and detachment of ramps (as claimed in claim 20) to any of the potential door positions on any of the modules.

23. A moveable modular decontamination shelter comprising modules that are sized and shaped specifically to occupy the space provided within car parking spaces.

24. A moveable modular decontamination shelter as claimed in claim 23, comprising modules sized and shaped as follows: one washing module into one car parking space, and a dressing module and undressing module into one car parking space when those two latter modules are attached together.

25. A moveable decontamination shelter comprising features incorporated specifically to facilitate the use of the shelter for purposes other than casualty decontamination, such as a staff smoking area.

26. A moveable decontamination shelter comprising features incorporated specifically to facilitate the use of the shelter for the purposes of providing a normal everyday shower area (i.e. for shower use other than emergency casualty decontamination, this being the removal of toxic or dangerous substances).

27. A wheel based decontamination shelter that comprises features incorporated specifically to facilitate the use of the decontamination shelter for purposes other than casualty decontamination, such as a staff smoking area or everyday shower area (as described in claim 26).

28. A mobile decontamination shelter that comprises an effluent holding tank or tanks which form the base of the shelter, the shelter being provided as a tent or inflatable or otherwise similar temporary mobile shelter.

29. A movable modular decontamination shelter as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

30. A movable modular decontamination shelter with tanks which form the base of the modules as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

31. A movable modular decontamination shelter with interchangeable wall panels as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

32. A movable mobile decontamination shelter with modules, which are specifically sized and shaped to be accommodated within car parking spaces as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

33. A movable mobile decontamination shelter with auxiliary effluent holding tanks as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.