Key Benefits

• Up to 60 Minutes of  Protection

• Goes on in Seconds-No Wrong Way to Put on

• Resist High Heat, Flames & Fumes

• Portable & Compact

• Allows Two-Way Communication

• Provides Mobility & 360 Degree Visibility

• Requires No Special Fitting

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Donning the VRU

The VRU is donned in a similar manner as the Essex PBE and SCU.  The main difference between the SCU and VRU is the VRU has semi-automatic activation of the oxygen.  This means the hood is design in such a way that you automatically activate the oxygen as part of the steps of putting the VRU on.  The VRU donning steps are as follows:

1. Open pouch
2. Remove sealed VRU
3. Tear open package
4. Remove VRU
5. Hold the bottle and activate the oxygen flow 
6. Put hands in neck seal 
7. Pull the VRU over your head

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Operation

The VRU is a closed circuit rebreather system. Oxygen flows into the hood and is breathed and rebreathed by the user. The oxygen content inside the hood will reach a maximum concentration of approximately 60% and will decrease over the duration of use. The oxygen flow is begun by the manual or semi-automatic activation.

Oxygen was selected as the breathable atmosphere because of weight and volume considerations. During respiration, oxygen is removed from the air and converted to carbon dioxide, which is then exhaled back into the air. If compressed air was used instead of oxygen, the air inside the hood would need to be constantly replenished to maintain the oxygen content at a life-supporting level. Because the VRU uses pure, aviator's grade oxygen, the exhaled air can be rebreathed once the carbon dioxide is removed. A typical industrial escape hood that relies on compressed air contains 350 L of air at 3,000 psi pressure. The VRU contains 18 L of oxygen at 3,000 psi pressure. The typical industrial escape hood weighs over 6 pounds. The VRU weighs just 1 1/2 pounds.

Carbon dioxide is a natural byproduct of respiration. Because the VRU is a closed circuit system, it is necessary to remove the carbon dioxide that builds up inside the hood. This is accomplished with a unique, patented passive scrubber. The carbon dioxide will be kept below 4% for the duration of use, but may reach a peak of 7% momentarily.

Duration of Use: All emergency rescue and escape situations are different, and it is not possible to provide an exact duration time for all situations. Also, the size of the VRU user will affect usable life, with heavier individuals consuming oxygen more rapidly. However, for an average male, the following typical escape situations are useful in predicting how long the VRU will last:

•     Sitting, waiting to be rescued; Up to 60 minutes
•     Waiting 17 minutes to be rescued, then rapid evacuation; Up to 21 minutes
•     Moderate walking (3 mph); Up to 18 minutes
•     Evacuation of a 110 Story Building; Up to 20 minutes
•     Rapidly walking, on a flat, out of a building; Up to 8 minutes
•     Rapidly walking up 15 flights of stairs; Up to 3 minutes

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Packaging

The VRU is folded and sealed inside a multi-laminate pouch, which, in turn, can be packaged a variety of ways depending on your requirements including inside a fire resistant container. Containers are available with carabineers for carrying the VRU on web gear or belt. In addition, the VRU can be easily stored or mounted for industrial settings and can be donned in the near zero visibility atmosphere that may accompany a fire.

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Pricing

	Description-VRU Units	Model #
	VRU Training Unit w/ Manual Activation	MR-10014N
	VRU w/ Manual Activation	MR-10018N
	VRU w/ Semi-Automatic Activation	MR-10025N
	VRU w/ Semi-Automatic Activation & Front Viewing Port	MR-10026N
	VRU Training Unit w/ Semi-Automatic Activation	MR-10027N
	VRU Training Unit w/ Semi-Automatic Activation & Front Viewing Port	MR-10031N

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VRU Specifications

Duration of Use

•     5 minutes under a moderate to hard workload, such as quickly climbing stairs
•     Up to 60 minutes for a person sitting awaiting rescue

Source of Breathable Air

•     Bottle of 100% aviators grade compressed oxygen
•     Bottle has overpressure protection to prevent rupture

Carbon Dioxide Control

•     Patented passive scrubber

Stowage Temperature Range

•     From 185° F to -20°F 

Working Temperature Range

•     From 120° F to 5°F 

Oxygen Activation

•     Manual
•     Semi-Automatic

Method of Inspection

•     Visual 

Service & Shelf Life

•     Ten years combined

Oral Communications

•     Effective at 4 yards 

Thermal Resistance

•     Radiant heat: 1.0 BTU/ft² per second for 60 seconds
•     Transient Air: 393° F for 30 seconds
•     Dripping thermoplastics: 390° F
•     Transient flame: 1800° F

Heat Resistant Materials

•     Can withstand 1800° F flame for 5 seconds; plus
•     Can withstand dripping plastics and tars up to 390° F 

Materials of Construction

•     The patented hood is made from multiple layers of Teflon^® and Kapton^® 
•     Kapton^® for high heat resistance
•     Excellent chemical resistance
•     The patented neck seal is made from a very elastic, high strength silicone 

Packaging

•     Fire-resistant Nomex^® pouch for versatility of carrying modes-pocket, belt web gear

Weight

• Vacuum pouch alone: 1.5 lbs. 
• Nomex^® pouch with unit: 2.0 lbs

Size

•     Nomex^® soft pouch: 6.75"x2"x9.75"

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