Chapter 6 Review

Infectious Diseases

Minimize exposure to bodily fluids, use disposable PPE, perform cremations ASAP, CDC advises that ebola patients must not be removed from body bags and must be cremated or buried promptly in a hermetically sealed casket

Heavy duty plastic bags

to place cremated remains in after processing; these bags should be a minimum of 2 mil. in thickness

Mortar and pestle

to process the cremated remains of small cases

Zip ties

to secure heavy duty plastic bags closed once cremated remains are placed in the bags

Safety supplies needed in crematories

Fire extinguisher, first aid kits

Secondary Chamber

Holds the unburned combustion from the primary chamber until complete combustion is acheived, and also allows for proper and controlled air flow to the stack. 1650-1700 ideal temps. Must run at least 50 degrees hotter than the main chamber for drafting and airflow perfection.

Type 4 Waste (Classification of waste)

Human and animal remains consisting of carcasses, organs, and solid tissue wastes from farms, labs and animal pounds.

Primary combustion

Ignition chamber/primary chamber

Inspection of refractory materials should be done _______

In every case

Reasons why a cremation would be refused

Incomplete paperwork, questionable identification, inappropriate cremation container, permits needed

Burners

Introduce flame by delivering fuel and its combustion air at desired velocities and turbulence. Purpose is to establish and maintain proper ignition and combustion of fuel. Located in both chambers.

Inspection of external stack is advised on a _______ basis.

Monthly

First cremations of the day

Obese patients and highly varnished caskets (need to be started in a cool chamber); can ignite too quickly in a hot chamber

Secondary combustion

Products of combustion process settle and are further combusted and ultimately the remaining gases will discharge from the crematory stack.

Perfect combustion

Result of mixing and burning the exact proportions of fuel and oxygen so that no unburned fuel or oxygen remains.

Primary Chamber

Where the actual cremation takes place. Combustion takes place. Ideal temp around 1600.

High density Cardboard rollers

aid in smooth movement of the cremation container into the chamber & help prevent damage to refractory materials

Wire brushes

clean crematory floor

Vacuum system

for total removal of cremated remains and to help maintain a dust-free work environment. It is important to make sure the filter bag is flame-resistant.

Hand magnet

locate and initiate the removal of any ferrous metal prior to processing

Last cremation of the day

metal caskets

Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)

must include: heat-resistant apron, face protection, gloves, eye and ear protection, dust mask, latex gloves, face shields, shoe covers when working with human remains

If bodies contain these three elements, they should not be cremated until the radioactive material is removed

radium, iridium-192, tantalum-182

Collection pan

retrieve cremated remains prior to processing

Funnel

to assist cremationists with the placement of cremated remains in certain containers

Cremation pan

to help contain remains when cremating infants. A typical pan is constructed of 12 gauge stainless steel with a diameter of 20 inches and a height of 4 inches

Temporary Containers

to house cremated remains prior to placement in a permanent urn

Identification medallions

to identify remains

Class VI (Classification of Incinerators)

Crematory and pathological incinerators, suitable for only Type 4 refuse

Opacity

Degree to which light is reduced when viewed through a smoke plume or visible emissions.

Step by step process of cremation

1. Inspect chamber for any ashes or damage to refractory materials 2. Start purge cycle; replaces air in chamber to remove any flammable contents 3. Preheat secondary chamber 4. Transport remains to staging area; complete ID and paperwork; use rollers to load remains into crematory 5. Ignite primary burner 6. Must be vigilant during process, especially in first 30 mins 7. Monitor air flow, emissions and temp fluctuations; must wait an hour after cremation has started before opening charging door 8. After cool down period, sift cremated remains into container and make sure there are no non-compustible materials mixed in 9. Remove metal with a magnet if needed 10. Prep remains for pulverization and make sure ID medallion is with remains 11. Pulverization machine reduces cremated remains to 1/4 inch, unless the cremated remains are going to be scattered (the standard size should be 1/8 inch) 12. Place in clear plastic bag with zip tie 13. Place in an appropriate urn for pickup

Pacemakers

1. Must be removed before cremation 2. Can explode in the chamber 3. Must receive written authorization from authorizing agent prior to removing pacemaker 4. Must be removed by a licensed embalmer at the funeral home 5. Sterilize pacemaker and return to manufacturer

Infants

1. Place to the side of the primary burner with special tray underneath 2. Verify remains have ignited after 20 mins 3. May take less than one hour 4. Use a mortar and pestle to pulverize delicate remains. Never use the pulverizing machine. There may be very little ashes remaining due to the size of the remains.

Obese cases

1. Placed in crematory head first 2. Position further from primary burner 3. Turn off burner after temp reaches 100-200 degrees 4. Monitor secondary burner and adjust accordingly 5. May need to use an air tray for additional support

Temperature range for successful combustion

1400-1800 degrees F

Average cremation takes between

2-3 hours

Refrigeration unit should be kept at ____ degrees.

40

Amount of time after death recommended to wait until performing the cremation

48 hours

A ____ inch clearance should be given to the cremator, as it shifts during cremation.

6

Thermocouple

A heat-sensing device typically crematories have two (one in each chamber).

Combustion

Act or instance of burning that involves a chemical reaction in which oxygen is rapidly combined with fuel, giving off heat. Oxygen combines with carbon, hydrogen and sulfer and other components of the fuel, changing them into different gases. The components of fuel that are not burned remain as ash.

Refractory Material

Specialized material designed to withstand high temps. This material lines the interior of the crematory.

Charging Door

The door to the primary chamber typically electrical or hydraulically operated

Stack

The final discharge point where the products of combustion are released to the environment.

Hearth

The floor of the crematory

Three components of cremation deemed successful elements of the process taking place in the secondary burner

Time, temperature, turbulence