An apparatus for controlling a level of oxygen in a closed environment from an oxygen supply having an oxygen sensor for detecting the level of oxygen in the closed environment. The apparatus has a plurality of relays in communication with the sensor. The apparatus has a valve in communication with the relays and the oxygen supply which is automatically opened with the relays without human interaction, monitoring and adjustment to release oxygen from the oxygen supply into the environment when the level of oxygen in the environment goes below a first predetermined level and which is automatically closed with the relays without human interaction, monitoring and adjustment to stop oxygen from being released from the oxygen supply into the environment when the level of oxygen in the environment goes above a second predetermined level. A method for controlling a level of oxygen in a closed environment from an oxygen supply. A refuge chamber.

A collective NBC filtration system (FIG. 1A) for providing positive-pressure purified air to a plurality of subjects in a protected space, or in an environment which cannot be maintained at positive pressure, in conjunction with one or more facepiece fluidly connected to the NBC filtration system. The system comprises: A casing body [102] including a first section [136] defining an inner volume therein, and a second section [138] adjacent to the first section. The second section includes an inlet port [116], The first section has a larger cross-section than the second section, and forms a peripheral first ledge [142] surrounding the second section. At least one NBC filter accommodated in the inner volume. The at least one NBC filter is supported on the first ledge [142], A lid [104] including a central portion [154] and a second ledge [152] surrounding the central portion. The central portion [154] includes a plurality of outlet ports [118], which are sealable. The lid [104] is openable to provide access to the inner volume and is securely closeable to affix the at least one NBC filter therein the inner volume by the second ledge [152], The lid [104] and the at least one NBC filter define, when the lid is securely closed, an outlet compartment there between. The outlet compartment has about the same cross-section as the second section. A blower [108] housed within the second section. A suction port of the blower being fluidly coupled to the inlet port. The system is configured such that the second section [138] fluidly couples the inlet port [116] to at least one inlet of the respective at least one NBC filter, and, when the lid [104] is securely closed, the outlet compartment [302] fluidly couples at least one outlet of the respective at least one NBC filter to the one or more outlet ports [118] but is otherwise fluidly sealed, thereby preventing potentially contaminated air from entering the outlet compartment, except via the at least one NBC filter.

A collective NBC filtration system (FIG. 1A) for providing positive-pressure purified air to a plurality of subjects in a protected space, or in an environment which cannot be maintained at positive pressure, in conjunction with one or more facepiece fluidly connected to the NBC filtration system. The system comprises: A casing body [102] including a first section [136] defining an inner volume therein, and a second section [138] adjacent to the first section. The second section includes an inlet port [116], The first section has a larger cross-section than the second section, and forms a peripheral first ledge [142] surrounding the second section. At least one NBC filter accommodated in the inner volume. The at least one NBC filter is supported on the first ledge [142], A lid [104] including a central portion [154] and a second ledge [152] surrounding the central portion. The central portion [154] includes a plurality of outlet ports [118], which are sealable. The lid [104] is openable to provide access to the inner volume and is securely closeable to affix the at least one NBC filter therein the inner volume by the second ledge [152], The lid [104] and the at least one NBC filter define, when the lid is securely closed, an outlet compartment there between. The outlet compartment has about the same cross-section as the second section. A blower [108] housed within the second section. A suction port of the blower being fluidly coupled to the inlet port. The system is configured such that the second section [138] fluidly couples the inlet port [116] to at least one inlet of the respective at least one NBC filter, and, when the lid [104] is securely closed, the outlet compartment [302] fluidly couples at least one outlet of the respective at least one NBC filter to the one or more outlet ports [118] but is otherwise fluidly sealed, thereby preventing potentially contaminated air from entering the outlet compartment, except via the at least one NBC filter.

A near ceiling mounted NBC filtration system [10] (FIG. 8) for collective protection shelters having an optimized modular structure. The main building blocks comprising: a filter unit [30], a blower [40], a manual air exchange backup unit [20] and a changeover valve [50]. The filter unit [30] is elongated in shape horizontally positioned along a top portion of a wall of the protected space. An inlet port [36] and outlet port [38] of the filter unit are located in proximity to each other near a first extremity of the filter unit. The blower [40] is driven by the electric motor [42] through a second speed increasing transmission enabling rotation of an impeller of the blower at speeds of above 3000 rpm. The blower [40] is positioned along the filter unit [30] near a second extremity thereof distal from the inlet port and outlet port; The changeover valve [50] comprises a tubular housing extending along the filter unit near the first extremity thereof, and an internal displaceable tubular valve member. The air exchange backup unit [20] comprising a plurality of lunged segments [22a, b, c] serially linked to each other, forming a foldable arm. A first end [24] of the air exchange backup unit is swiveably attached to the electric motor [42] and a second end [26] of the air exchange backup unit carries a detachable hand crank [28]. Manual rotation of the hand crank [28] rotates the electric motor [42] at substantially a rated speed of the electric motor. The second end [26] of the air exchange backup unit is firmly attachable to a wall of the protection shelter at a convenient position for manual cranking of the hand crank [28]. Each of the building blocks of the NBC filtration system may be replaced with a block of different capacity without effecting the other blocks.

A near ceiling mounted NBC filtration system [10] (FIG. 8) for collective protection shelters having an optimized modular structure. The main building blocks comprising: a filter unit [30], a blower [40], a manual air exchange backup unit [20] and a changeover valve [50]. The filter unit [30] is elongated in shape horizontally positioned along a top portion of a wall of the protected space. An inlet port [36] and outlet port [38] of the filter unit are located in proximity to each other near a first extremity of the filter unit. The blower [40] is driven by the electric motor [42] through a second speed increasing transmission enabling rotation of an impeller of the blower at speeds of above 3000 rpm. The blower [40] is positioned along the filter unit [30] near a second extremity thereof distal from the inlet port and outlet port; The changeover valve [50] comprises a tubular housing extending along the filter unit near the first extremity thereof, and an internal displaceable tubular valve member. The air exchange backup unit [20] comprising a plurality of lunged segments [22a, b, c] serially linked to each other, forming a foldable arm. A first end [24] of the air exchange backup unit is swiveably attached to the electric motor [42] and a second end [26] of the air exchange backup unit carries a detachable hand crank [28]. Manual rotation of the hand crank [28] rotates the electric motor [42] at substantially a rated speed of the electric motor. The second end [26] of the air exchange backup unit is firmly attachable to a wall of the protection shelter at a convenient position for manual cranking of the hand crank [28]. Each of the building blocks of the NBC filtration system may be replaced with a block of different capacity without effecting the other blocks.

A raceway includes a horizontal sleeve element carrying a metallic coil tube therethrough below a ground level associated with a structure such that the horizontal sleeve element is directly embedded in a base layer under the ground level and immediately below a first layer of the ground level. and a curved elbow element directly connected to the horizontal sleeve element at each of both ends of the horizontal sleeve element to transition the metallic coil tube across perpendicular directions. The raceway establishes a pathway for an electrical and/or a breathable air connection between components of a safety system implemented within the structure based on seamlessly and jointlessly drawing the metallic coil tube out of the curved elbow element on the each of both the ends of the horizontal sleeve element. Components of the raceway create a fire rated enclosure for the metallic coil tube.

A modular, multi-crew life support system and a method of assembling the system involve a fan to draw in ambient air. The system includes one or more assemblies that produce conditioned air from the ambient air, and a housing to support an oxygen source. The system also includes a port configured as an inlet from the oxygen source to augment the conditioned air, and a duct to disperse a result of augmenting the conditioned air as output air to support two or more occupants of an enclosure.

A modular, multi-crew life support system and a method of assembling the system involve a fan to draw in ambient air. The system includes one or more assemblies that produce conditioned air from the ambient air, and a housing to support an oxygen source. The system also includes a port configured as an inlet from the oxygen source to augment the conditioned air, and a duct to disperse a result of augmenting the conditioned air as output air to support two or more occupants of an enclosure.

An apparatus for controlling a level of oxygen in a closed environment from an oxygen supply having an oxygen sensor for detecting the level of oxygen in the closed environment. The apparatus has a plurality of relays in communication with the sensor. The apparatus has a valve in communication with the relays and the oxygen supply which is automatically opened with the relays without human interaction, monitoring and adjustment to release oxygen from the oxygen supply into the environment when the level of oxygen in the environment goes below a first predetermined level and which is automatically closed with the relays without human interaction, monitoring and adjustment to stop oxygen from being released from the oxygen supply into the environment when the level of oxygen in the environment goes above a second predetermined level. A method for controlling a level of oxygen in a closed environment from an oxygen supply. A refuge chamber.

A chemical protective shelter system for encapsulating an uncontaminated person or persons is presented. The chemical protective shelter system has a cover assembly extending a length between a top end and a bottom end and having interior surface and an exterior surface and an opening which can be opened and closed repeatedly while still sealing. The chemical protective shelter system includes a layer of a chemical adsorbent material capable of filtering chemical agents while allowing oxygen and carbon dioxide to pass through the material. The chemical protective shelter is specially adapted to house a plurality of people and facilitate a tent like function. The system also includes a port for auxiliary filtered air. The system may also include a powered air purifying respirator which positively pressures the interior space of the system.