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Drive-thru air curtain test protects workers from vehicle emissions inhalation
October 18, 2009
Berner International Corp., a leader in air door/air curtain equipment manufacturing, has announced it has successfully completed a test of its new Drive-Thru Unit (DTU) air curtain at a drive-thru window station for a Struters, Ohio, Arby's store.
The recent beta test of the air curtain, specially designed for restaurant drive-thru windows, has proven to protect teenage workers from extreme temperature exposures and continual vehicle emissions inhalation. The inhalation of vehicle emissions is a growing concern at the Occupational Health & Safety Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor.
Headache, fatigue, flu-like effects, heart problems and other symptoms related to carbon monoxide poisoning are a concern at all quick-serve restaurants, according to OSHA. With more than half of all QSR transactions at the drive-thru window, according to National Restaurant Association research, the potential hazard is a growing problem. Additionally, drive-thru window workers are exposed to continual uncomfortable environmental temperature differentials.To avoid the potential hazard, The OSHA Teen Worker Safety in Restaurants e-tool recommends operators implement one of the following solutions:
- Use a reverse-flow fan system (air curtain) to prevent exhaust from entering the interior drive-thru window area
- Provide adequate space and ventilation for both exterior and interior drive-thru areas
- Rotate workers to minimize time spent stationed in the drive-thru area
New Castle, Pa.-based Berner International's six-month-long test at the Arby's store pitted the new DTU air curtain against external environmental conditions at a drive-thru window station. The 18-inch long DTU was specially designed with the proper air velocity, volume and uniformity necessary for drive-thru window opening dimensions. The unit demonstrated the strategic discharge of air from top to bottom of the drive-thru window to maintain the "split" of indoor/outdoor environments a few inches outside the threshold. The air discharge is strong enough to stop infiltrating outdoor air, vehicle emissions and insects, but doesn't blow money out of hands penetrating the airstream.
"Fumes infiltrating the restaurant were all but eliminated, and drive-thru employees were able to wear normal indoor uniforms instead of heavy coats and gloves during wintertime operations," said Vicki Vitullo, general manager of the Arby' store, one of nine Arby's units owned by franchisee Niles Restaurant Business, Youngstown, Ohio. "If for some reason we forget to switch the air curtain on, fumes and cold weather are definitely noticeable."
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