Abstract:
A self-contained training device for simulated personnel entry, exit and rescue in confined space scenarios. The device features an enclosed tank mounted on a truck trailer. The tank has at least one top portal and at least one side portal for entry and exit. An enclosed pipe is situated within the tank and has separate points of entry and exit. The top of the tank features a walkway and handrail.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is directed to a self-contained, mobile, confined or enclosed space training device to train for personnel entry, exit and rescue procedures. In particular, the present invention relates to a self-contained vehicle mounted device for training personnel who work with, in, and around confined or enclosed space work areas. 
   2. Prior Art 
   Certain work places are defined by the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) as “confined spaces” because their configurations hinder the activities of personnel who must enter, work in, and exit them. For instance, the U.S. Department of Labor has set forth the following:
         . . . employees who work in process vessels generally must squeeze in and out through narrow openings and perform their tasks while cramped or contorted. OSHA uses the term “confined space” to describe such spaces. In addition, there are many instances where employees who work in confined spaces face increased risk of exposure to serious hazards. In some cases, confinement itself poses entrapment hazards. In other cases, confined space work keeps employees closer to hazards, such as asphyxiating atmospheres or the moving parts of machinery. OSHA uses the term “permit-required confined space” (permit space) to describe those spaces that both meet the definition of “confined space” and pose health or safety hazards. The following questions link to resources that provide safety and health information relevant to confined spaces in the workplace. (www.osha.gov/SLTC/confinedspaces)       

   There are various hazards that may be encountered when entering, exiting and working in confined space work places. 
   Confined spaces are categorized as those with open tops having a depth that will restrict natural movement of air, and enclosed spaces with very limited openings for entry. Those with limited access pose additional problems. Even when the containers or tanks are opened, gases which are heavier than air, such as carbon dioxide or propane, may lie in a tank for hours or days after the containers have been opened. 
   Entry into confined or enclosed spaces by personnel may be done for various reasons. These include inspection, repair, maintenance such as cleaning or painting, and similar operations. Additionally, unauthorized entry may be involved where various workers and trades are involved. 
   Finally, emergency rescue may be a reason for entry by personnel into confined or enclosed spaces. 
   Because of these conditions, the U.S. Department of Labor and other jurisdictions require that any employee required or permitted to enter a permit-required confined space must have successfully completed, as a minimum, certain training. A permit verifies completion of surveillance, testing, space ventilation and entry procedures. For example, 29 CFR Part No. 1910.146 Appendix C provides:
         Entry Procedures. The following procedure shall be observed under any of the following conditions: 1.) Testing demonstrates the existence of dangerous or deficient conditions and additional ventilation cannot reduce concentrations to safe levels; 2.) The atmosphere tests as safe but unsafe conditions can reasonably be expected to develop; 3.) It is not feasible to provide for ready exit from spaces equipped with automatic fire suppression systems and it is not practical or safe to deactivate such systems; 4.) An emergency exists and it is not feasible to wait for pre-entry procedures to take effect.   All personnel must be trained. A self contained breathing apparatus shall be worn by any person entering the space. At least one worker shall stand by the outside of the space ready to give assistance in case of emergency. The standby worker shall have a self contained breathing apparatus available for immediate use. There shall be at least one additional worker within sight or call of the standby worker. Continuous powered communications shall be maintained between the worker within the confined space and standby personnel.   If at any time there is any questionable action or non-movement by the worker inside, a verbal check will be made. If there is no response, the worker will be moved immediately. Exception: If the worker is disabled due to falling or impact, he/she shall not be removed from the confined space unless there is immediate danger to his/her life. Local fire department rescue personnel shall be notified immediately. The standby worker may only enter the confined space in case of an emergency (wearing the self contained breathing apparatus) and only after being relieved by another worker. Safety belt or harness with attached lifeline shall be used by all workers entering the space with the free end of the line secured outside the entry opening. The standby worker shall attempt to remove a disabled worker via his lifeline before entering the space.   When practical, these spaces shall be entered through side openings—those within 3½ feet (1.07 m) of the bottom. When entry must be through a top opening, the safety belt shall be of the harness type that suspends a person upright and a hoisting device or similar apparatus shall be available for lifting workers out of the space.   In any situation where their use may endanger the worker, use of a hoisting device or safety belt and attached lifeline may be discontinued.       

   Entry and exit with hoisting harnesses and breathing equipment requires considerable personnel training. 
   In addition, 29 CFR Part No. 1910.146(k)(2)(iv) requires personnel to practice making confined space rescues at least once every twelve (12) months. 
   Where valves, motors and other mechanical devices operate in conjunction with confined space tanks or containers, prescribed lock-out, tag out procedures must be employed. For example, where a motor and valve are involved, the power switch or switches must be turned off at a power panel. Thereafter, a tag is affixed to a lock in order to inform and advise others that a permit, confined space entry is in progress. Additionally, any and all valves will be closed. Each valve will be set to the closed position and a chain and lock secure the valve in that position. A tag will be attached to the valve warning that a confined space entry is in progress. 
   Of course, it is possible to utilize existing confined space tanks or containers to train personnel in entry, exit and rescue procedures. This will often times require disabling or taking the container tank out of service during these training sessions. Smetanick (U.S. Pat. No. 4,346,905) illustrates an example of a tank trailer to transport fluid products but is otherwise dissimilar. 
   Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a training device for personnel entry, exit and rescue procedures to simulate confined spaces without having to interrupt or interfere with operation of actual tanks or containers. 
   Additionally, it would be advantageous to provide a training tank device which would provide opportunities for training in multiple procedures and situations that might be encountered in confined space operations. 
   It would also be advantageous to provide a confined space training device to demonstrate proper entrance, exit and rescue procedures. 
   It would also be advantageous to provide a self-contained, integrated, mobile confined space training device which could be brought to a work site for periodic training of personnel. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a self-contained, mobile confined or enclosed space training device for personnel entry, exit and rescue. The device includes an enclosed tank which is mounted on a vehicle, such as a tractor trailer, through use of supports. 
   The training tank device includes a pair of top entries through a pair of top portals. The top ports or portals may be enclosed by covers. 
   The space beneath each top portal is opened and a converging wall may be located within the tank beneath one or more of the portals. 
   An optional walkway surrounds each top portal. A hand rail surrounds the walkway and a ladder may also be provided. A pair of horizontal entries extend radially into the tank from a side. 
   The device also includes a pipe which transverses the entire length of the tank with a gate or door closing the entry and exit. The pipe includes a pair of 45° bends. 
   One or more view port openings may be provided for personnel to view various training operations. 
   The training tank device also includes a valve or valves and electric switch panel to simulate conditions on a tank or container. Personnel may train to become proficient in lock-out, tag-out procedures which are required prior to entry and rescue procedures. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a confined or enclosed space training device constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of the device illustrated in  FIG. 1  with a portion cut away for ease of viewing; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a sectional view taken along section line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of a confined or enclosed space training device shown in  FIG. 1  with a portion cut away for ease of viewing; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the confined space training device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an end view of the confined space training device shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of the confined space training device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific manners in which to make and use the invention and are not to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the instant invention. 
   While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be noted that many modifications may be made in the details of the invention&#39;s construction and the arrangement of its components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification. 
   Referring to the drawings in detail,  FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a training tank  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
   The device  10  includes an enclosed tank  12  which has been partially cut-away in  FIG. 1  for ease of viewing. The tank  12  may take many configurations but in the present, preferred embodiment, the tank  12  is an elongated cylindrical tank having a pair of opposed ends  14  and  16 . A portion of the tank  12  in  FIG. 1  has been cut away for ease of comprehension. 
   As will be described herein, the training device  10  is self-contained and integrated and is also mounted on a vehicle  18  so that it is mobile. The training tank device  10  may be brought to a work site where confined space containers or tanks are located so that personnel may train periodically in entrance, exit and rescue procedures. The vehicle  18  may take many forms including a tractor trailer which may be attached to a truck (not shown) for moving the device  10 . The vehicle  18  may be permanently mounted on the vehicle through use of supports  19 . 
   The training tank device  10  includes a pair of top entries through a pair of top portals  20  and  22 . In one example, the top entry portals are approximately 24 inches in diameter. The top entry portals  20  and  22  may be between 18 and 30 inches in diameter although other designs are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The top entry portals  20  and  22  may be tangential to the exterior of the tank  12  or, as in the present embodiment, may be spaced from and above the exterior of the tank  12  and joined by tubes  24  and  26 , respectively. The top ports  20  and  22  may be closed by removable covers  28  and  30 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 1 , the cover  28  has been removed and a tripod  34  placed over the portal  20  with a line  36  to raise or lower personnel into and out of the confined space. 
   As seen in the side view in  FIG. 2 , where a portion of the side of the tank  12  has been cut away for ease of viewing, the spaces beneath top portal  20  and beneath top portal  22  are open so that personnel entering through either of the portals will encounter a drop into the tank  12 . As best seen in  FIG. 2 , an additional converging wall  32  in the form of a flat metal plate is provided within the tank so that a converging wall is encountered upon entry through portal  22 . In particular, the converging wall  32  is not perpendicular to the portal of the tank, but is in angular relation thereto. Accordingly, personnel must be able to work with and around the converging wall  32  when entering and exiting the tank  12 . The converging wall  32  will, thus, simulate conditions that may be encountered. In the present case, the drop from the tank until encountering the converging wall is at least 8 feet (8′). 
   Returning to a consideration of  FIG. 1 , an optional walkway  40  surrounds each top portal  20  and  22  and at the same elevation, to simulate actual tanks or containers and to enhance training and educational opportunities for personnel. A hand rail  42  surrounding the walkway and a ladder  44  may also be provided. Bracing  46  supports the walkway to the tank  12 . The walkway, hand rail, ladder and bracing has been removed from  FIG. 2 . 
     FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken along section line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . As seen in  FIG. 3  and also seen in the top view in  FIG. 4 , the device  10  includes at least one and, in the present embodiment, two side or horizontal entries  48  and  50 . The side or horizontal entries  48  and  50  extend radially into the tank  12  from the side. Horizontal entry  48  includes an 18 inch hinged door  52  while entry  50  includes a 24 inch manway  54  for exit, entry and rescue. Various other arrangements are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   Accordingly, personnel may perform and train for both vertical and horizontal entries, exits and rescues. 
   The device  10  also includes a pipe  60  which traverses the entire length of the tank  12  and terminates on each end in entry  62  and exit  64 . A gate or door,  56  and  58 , closes the entry  62  and exit  64 , respectively. 
   The diameter of the pipe  60  may vary but is generally between 18 and 30 inches (18″ to 30″) in diameter. The pipe  60  may also include an optional internal entry  66 . The pipe  60  includes at least one bend in the length of the pipe, and in a preferred embodiment illustrated, a pair of 45° bends  68  and  70 . 
   The pipe  60  may also include an optional mesh portion  82  so that trainees can readily observe operations within the pipe. 
   As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , one training procedure may be to rescue a mannequin  84  from within the pipe  60 . 
   The sidewall of the tank  12  may include one or more view port openings covered by transparent windows  72  for personnel to view training operations. The transparent windows  72  may be covered by hinged doors  74  that may be closed when it is desired to keep the inside of the tank dark. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the training tank device  10  may include a valve or valves  78  and an electrical switch panel  80  to simulate conditions on a tank or container. Personnel may train to become proficient in lock-out, tag out procedures which are required prior to entry and rescue procedures. For example, a valve or valves  78  will be turned off and then locked and tagged. The electrical switch panel  80  will be operated to turn off all electrical switches and then locked and tagged in the “off” position prior to any entry, rescue or other operations with the tank or container. 
   Since the device  10  is highly mobile, it may be brought to work areas for personnel training. The present invention provides a self-contained and fully integrated mobile device to train and educate personnel. 
   Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.