Decontamination shelters with grade-variant sump systems

Abstract

Systems for collecting waste water and other fluids are described. The systems are especially useful in connection with showers of decontamination shelters. They permit shelter construction on flat surfaces as well as both positive and negative grades, thereby facilitating use of the shelters in the field.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A decontamination shelter comprising:
 a. means for at least partially isolating a human from his or her environment; and   b. a sump system for conveying fluid from the isolating means and comprising:
 i. tubing at least partially bounding a fluid collection area and comprising fluid-receiving openings generally facing the fluid collection area; 
 ii. a pump comprising (A) an inlet communicating with the tubing so as to draw fluid through the tubing and (B) an outlet; and 
 iii. a sump communicating with the outlet of the pump for receiving at least some fluid drawn through the tubing. 
   
     
     
         2 . A decontamination shelter according to  claim 1  in which the tubing is non-collapsible. 
     
     
         3 . A decontamination shelter according to  claim 2  in which the tubing is part of a tubing assembly in which lengths of tubing are connected so as to bound the fluid collection area. 
     
     
         4 . A decontamination shelter according to  claim 3  in which each length of tubing comprises fluid-receiving openings generally uniformly spaced therealong. 
     
     
         5 . A decontamination shelter according to  claim 4  in which the sump is positioned remote from the fluid collection area. 
     
     
         6 . A decontamination shelter according to  claim 3  in which the tubing assembly further comprises a connector in fluid communication with the tubing and the pump. 
     
     
         7 . A decontamination shelter according to  claim 6  in which the tubing may be inclined relative to the earth so that at least part of the connector is positioned below the height of the fluid-receiving openings 
     
     
         8 . A decontamination shelter according to  claim 6  in which the tubing may be inclined relative to the earth so that at least part of the connector is positioned above the height of the fluid-receiving openings 
     
     
         9 . A decontamination shelter according to  claim 1  further comprising a fluid-producing means for producing fluid for collection in the fluid collection area. 
     
     
         10 . A decontamination shelter according to  claim 9  in which the fluid-producing means is a shower. 
     
     
         11 . A sump system comprising:
 a. lengths of interconnecting non-collapsible tubing, each length comprising fluid-receiving openings generally uniformly spaced therealong;   b. a connector in fluid communication with the lengths;   c. a mixed-media pump in fluid communication with the connector; and   d. a sump in fluid communication with the mixed-media pump.   
     
     
         12 . A method of operating a decontamination shelter comprising:
 a. interconnecting lengths of non-collapsible tubing on a surface, each length comprising fluid-receiving openings;   b. operating a fluid-producing means so as to facilitate decontamination of a person, thereby producing grey water; and   c. activating a pump so as to draw grey water into the tubing.   
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12  in which the act of interconnecting lengths of non-collapsible tubing comprises interconnecting lengths of non-collapsible tubing on an inclined surface. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 12  in which the act of operating a fluid-producing means comprises operating a shower. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13  in which the act of activating a pump comprises activating a pump so as to draw grey water into the tubing regardless of the amount and direction of the incline.