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7/29/2016

Kelso Technologies: Emergency response kit

Kelso Technologies Inc. announced that it has successfully completed initial commercial testing of its new emergency response kit known as the Kelso ERK. This specialized equipment is used by first responders to cap and contain chemical leaks in the field that originate in a hazmat tank car's valve assembly or its connections located on the top of the tank car.

The ERK is designed to be implemented quickly and safely to reduce potential dangers to human life and environmental harm to communities during emergency events involving hazardous materials.

The ERK was developed in partnership with hazardous materials specialists from a Class I railroad. The kit fits in two containers, which is a reduction from the three containers currently used. Kelso officials also highlighted the following features:

    •    The ERK takes up less space on emergency response vehicles and allows handling by one person.
    •    Built with lightweight materials, the ERK is half the weight of existing products providing easier deployment and operation of the ERK by emergency responders.
    •    No additional application tools are required, which reduces kit weight and complexity of operation.
    •    Color-coded valve caps aid first responders in selecting proper valve cap under emergency conditions.
    •    Friction reduction system lowers torque needed to apply the valve cap. This reduces the number of tools needed to effectively apply the ERK, reducing the potential effects of human error and potential injury to first responders.
    •    The ERK is designed for both pressure tank cars which include commodities such as chlorine, liquefied petroleum gas and anhydrous ammonia and non-pressurized tank cars.
    •    The Kelso ERK is the only emergency kit in the market that is designed to handle general service tank cars.

The ERK meets the design requirements of many first responder stakeholders in North America. These stakeholders include the National Hazardous Materials Response Team and their 13 regional response centers; six Class I railroads; 700 Class II and III railroads; and training organizations like the Transportation Technology Center, Inc (TTCI) — a division of the Association of American Railroads — and TRANSCAER® which provides a voluntary national outreach effort that focuses on helping communities prepare for and respond to a possible hazardous material accident event.

Both TTCI and TRANSCAER® have direct influential relationships with the many first responders in North America, Kelso officials said.

"The ERK represents a new diverse multi-million dollar market for the company," said Kelso Chief Executive Officer James Bond. "Kelso has completed all required design specifications in collaboration with our Class I railroad partner and is now prepared to begin distribution of the ERK to first responder organizations. We are proud of the new benefits engineered into the ERK on behalf of our stakeholders and all first responders. Our reputation for innovative design continues to grow in markets beyond rail tank cars, providing new revenue streams for the company."