HazMat Training Props

The HazMat training simulators consist of one (1) three dome railroad tank car training simulator, hereafter referred to as the railcar tanker trainer; one piping and valve array training prop; two (2) general service portable railroad tank car domes; two (2) chlorine portable railroad tank car domes; and two (2) high pressure portable railroad tank car domes.

The railcar tanker trainer replicates typical access, elevation and working space around three types of railroad tank car domes, including one chlorine dome, one high pressure dome and one general service dome.  The domes are purposely designed to leak or fail in one fashion or another and configured with a ground-level control panel allowing instructors to “create” the intended malfunction, all of which require mitigation protocols from responding HazMat technicians, i.e., CDP HazMat students.  The chlorine and high pressure domes are plumbed to enable liquid line, vapor line and safety relief valve leaks. The general service dome is plumbed to leak from a liquid valve.

The piping and valve array training prop is comprised of varied steel pipes and valves ranging in size ¾-inch to 12 inches mounted on a 10x20 foot platform. Water input and control manifold are situated on one end of the platform in an open steel box. The platform is decked with an anodized aluminum diamond plate and fitted with forklift pockets. The prop ships fully assembled and may be off-loaded onto a gravel pad and be fully operational within minutes.

In the course of training and exercises, operators at the input manifold control various valve, flange, weld and thread “failures” as well as cracked and sheared pipes. All leaks in the larger pipes are plumbed to isolated locations with smaller pipe which minimizes water and drainage requirements. For example, there is an unseen, smaller diameter pipe within a 12-inch pipe. The smaller pipe carries the water that will ultimately simulates a discharge from the larger pipe.  The serpentine piping array provides realistic access and workspace challenges. Water may be supplied from a pumper truck or fixed utility.

      Three types of railroad tank car domes, mounted on heavy-duty casters to facilitate mobility, provide a variety of leak simulations at the ground level. Ground level portability simply means that CDP HazMat students can familiarize, train and practice leak mitigation techniques before engaging the domes atop the railcar tanker trainer while wearing cumbersome and restrictive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). These training props require a source of water, compressed air and hoses for full operation.  Specific functionality for each portable dome is as follows:

Type                                                        Situation                                                Mitigation

General Service Dome                            Liquid valve leak (valve disabled)          Plug valve

Chlorine Dome                                        Valve open from vibration                      Close valve

                                                                Valve mount loose                                 Tighten mounting nuts or cap with C-Kit

                                                                Pressure relief valve leak                      Cap with C-Kit

High Pressure Dome                              Valve open from vibration                      Close valve

                                                                Valve mount loose                                 Tighten mounting nuts or cap with Midland Kit

                                                                Pressure relief valve leak                      Cap with Midland Kit

Awarded contract 70FA2021P00000042 to unknown vendor for unknown amount on 2021-09-15.