I well remember these annual fire & gas training sessions throughout the 1970s/80s/90s. I recall people trying to hold their breath in the gas hut, especially when testing the quick escape gas sets – because you didn”t always get a fresh one, so the one you were allocated might only last a few seconds! After that ordeal, you had to have a go with a “Normalair” set, similar in looks to a scuba divers kit. It weighed a ton, but at least you were sure of not getting another whiff of ammonia whilst using it.
Fire Drill I.C.I Every person employed in “The Factory , including office-staff, male and female had to take a gas-mask course. This included a lecture and a visit to the “Gas-Hut”, behind the Fire-Station. The instructor would ensure all had their masks fitted, those with beards were left outside, as gas could seep through the side of the mask. Once in the “Hut” the door was shut and with a slight hiss filled with ammonia gas, you knew within seconds if your mask wasn”t fitted correctly and dashed for the door one of the after-affects of this was for about an hour your clothing had a smell of ammonia and any cigarettes carried were almost unsmokeable. Fire drill was also given using both water and foam extinguishers on blazing fire trays and drums. On one occassion a busy fire fighter turning to the instructors covered them in foam as he kept his hand on the trigger!
I remember my time in the Police Force and one of the training sessions was to go to the Billingham ICI site for a “gas test.” We were given masks and went into a room where they placed gas into it and we had to stay there for quite a few minutes. Because we were on duty for the day we had to keep up our appearances so one thing was being clean shaven. Not knowing, when in the room our faces started to itch because of the gas. Anyone else with the same experience?
I well remember these annual fire & gas training sessions throughout the 1970s/80s/90s. I recall people trying to hold their breath in the gas hut, especially when testing the quick escape gas sets – because you didn”t always get a fresh one, so the one you were allocated might only last a few seconds! After that ordeal, you had to have a go with a “Normalair” set, similar in looks to a scuba divers kit. It weighed a ton, but at least you were sure of not getting another whiff of ammonia whilst using it.
Fire Drill I.C.I Every person employed in “The Factory , including office-staff, male and female had to take a gas-mask course. This included a lecture and a visit to the “Gas-Hut”, behind the Fire-Station. The instructor would ensure all had their masks fitted, those with beards were left outside, as gas could seep through the side of the mask. Once in the “Hut” the door was shut and with a slight hiss filled with ammonia gas, you knew within seconds if your mask wasn”t fitted correctly and dashed for the door one of the after-affects of this was for about an hour your clothing had a smell of ammonia and any cigarettes carried were almost unsmokeable. Fire drill was also given using both water and foam extinguishers on blazing fire trays and drums. On one occassion a busy fire fighter turning to the instructors covered them in foam as he kept his hand on the trigger!
I remember my time in the Police Force and one of the training sessions was to go to the Billingham ICI site for a “gas test.” We were given masks and went into a room where they placed gas into it and we had to stay there for quite a few minutes. Because we were on duty for the day we had to keep up our appearances so one thing was being clean shaven. Not knowing, when in the room our faces started to itch because of the gas. Anyone else with the same experience?