Helping Bushfire-Affected Hospital Operate Again

When a healthcare customer urgently needed equipment for detecting potentially toxic gases during the NSW bushfire emergency, our Test & Measure branch swung into action.

Our team supplied specialist gas detectors, and pulled out all stops to make sure everything went according to plan.

Dealing With an Emergency Situation

A hospital in northern NSW had three operating theatres temporarily closed during a time when bushfires were out of control not too far away.  The hospital was concerned smoke from the fires might contain harmful gas emissions, potentially causing contamination.

The theatres needed to be back up and running as quickly as possible, however, staff needed to be completely certain they were safe for use.

As a result, the Local Health District spoke to Brad Alcorn at our Test & Measure branch in Silverwater to discuss urgent hire of equipment for detecting Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emissions.

This all happened late on a Thursday afternoon.

Delivering a Timely Solution

Brad immediately arranged urgent delivery of 6 in 1 Gas Detectors to the hospital. This equipment tests for levels of combustible gases – including carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and others – providing readings within seconds.

Brad calibrated, programmed and tested each detector, before protecting the equipment for freight. The courier picked up the instruments from Brad’s Sydney home on Thursday evening for Friday morning delivery at the hospital 470km away.

Brad instructed the hospital’s maintenance manager through the setup and operation of the instruments over the phone on Friday morning. This included advice to check the working areas, as well as surrounding vents, air conditioning inlets / outlets and hallways.

Brad continued to keep in contact with and the health service executive and the local maintenance manager during the process. Both reported back that no harmful gas levels were showing up and that the equipment was working very well.

The hospital was able to have the operating theatres back up and running again within 24 hours of the initial call to Kennards Hire.