Frequently Asked Questions

TC BodyBag^®

1. How do I use TC BodyBag^®?
• The bag unfolds into a flat sheet, which can be used as a shroud until sealing of the decedent is necessary. A portion of the liner should be removed, then the right and left sides of the bag are folded toward the midline of the body to create a seal. The material at the head and foot should be pressed closed, then rolled toward the body to create a handle.
  
  To view a detailed demonstration of sealing the TC BodyBag^®, visit our How-To page and view the TC BodyBag^® Training Video. If you still have questions prior to using the bag, please email [email protected] or call us at 760-749-9861 between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time.
2. If the bag is zipper-less, how does it seal?
• TC^® bags are coated with a proprietary cohesive adhesive formula that creates a tight barrier from leaks and odor. The adhesive was designed to stick securely to itself, but not to hair, clothing, or the delicate tissue of remains.
3. Why is the bag transparent?
• With the help of funeral directors across the US, we opted to make the TC BodyBag^® transparent to allow for easy identification prior to release, cremation, or embalming of a decedent without the need to reopen the bag.
4. Why is there blue plastic attached to the bag?
• This textured plastic sheet creates a barrier against the adhesive, ensuring it does not create a seal until you want it to. The blue liner is perforated every 12” to allow exposure of only the desired amount of adhesive. Remove most of the liner to give the bag full transparency, or leave more in place to give more privacy of the decedent.
5. What are the dimensions of the bag?
• The full dimensions of the sheet are 108” x 72”. When folded to create a body bag, the dimensions become 108” x 36”.
6. What is the weight capacity of the bag?
• The weight capacity is 275 lbs.
7. When should the TC^® bag be used?
• The TC BodyBag^® is considered a light-duty body bag, and was designed to replace the traditional white, zippered bag while offering full protection from leaks and odors. TC^® bags are ideal for everyday use, and are chlorine- and PVC-free, meaning they are safe for cremation. Because TC^® bags are transparent, they are also ideal for identifying remains prior to release, cremation, or burial without needing to reopen the bag. In a hospital setting, TC^® bags are also safe for use during an MRI, as they do not have a metal zipper.
  
  We do not recommend using the TC^® bag for protection from infectious pathogens, as it may not create a fully hermetic seal. If a fully hermetic seal is needed, please view our System5^® containment option. TC^® bags are not approved for repatriation.
8. What is the bag’s shelf-life?
• We recommend storing TC BodyBag^® no longer than 18 months without use. While the bag may hold remains safely for a longer period of time, we cannot guarantee the adhesive’s strength. Because the TC^® bag was designed as an everyday-use body bag, you should have no problem using your supply before the shelf-life has passed.
9. What if it is necessary to reopen the bag after it is sealed?
• We hope that the transparency of the TC^® bag will avoid the need to reopen the bag as much as possible, but we realize that this cannot be avoided in every situation. Because the bag is fully lined with adhesive, it can be cut open at any point and sealed back together with ease. Make sure that the liner is removed around the cut portion to ensure a proper seal can be made.
10. Where can I purchase the TC^® bag?
• BioSeal Systems products are sold through our website and our wonderful network of distributors. To find a distributor, please visit the Partnerships section of our website. Contact information is listed for your convenience. If you have any questions or would like a recommendation for a distributor in your region, please email [email protected] or call us at 760-749-9861.
11. Do I need special training to use the TC^® bag?
• No, anyone can use a TC^® bag with ease! We do want to make sure you are comfortable with our technology though, since TC^® bags are used differently than a traditional zippered body bag. Before opening your first bag, we recommend watching the TC BodyBag^® Training Video on our How-To page. And let us know if you have any questions!
12. Is the bag chlorine-free?
• Yes, TC^® bags are made of a chlorine-free plastic and are safe for cremation.
13. Is the bag cremation-safe?
• Yes, the plastic and adhesive used to manufacture TC^® bags are both 100% cremation-safe.
14. Is the bag OSHA 3130 compliant?
• Yes, TC^® bags are compliant with the OSHA 3130 regulations.
15. Is the bag safe for use during an MRI?
• Yes, because TC^® bags do not contain metal of any kind, they are safe for use with an MRI machine.
16. Is TC BodyBag^® patented?
• Yes, we currently have a patent pending for the TC^® technology.
17. How do I know if the bag is sealed properly?
• When sealing the TC^® bag, all seams should be given a good twice over to ensure that a fully odor- and leak-proof seal has been created. Using your hands, pat the seal down the midline of the decedent with your hands and check that a good 5 inch or wider seam is present along the full length of the body. Although the midline seam is important, the head and foot are more prone to leaks if sealed improperly. To make sure you have a good, trustworthy seal, squeeze the material together at the head and foot, then roll it toward the body. This not only gives you a proper seal, but it also creates a handle to help you move the decedent more easily.
18. How long can remains be safely contained in a TC^® bag?
• We recommend storing a decedent no longer no longer than 18 months in a TC^® bag. While the bag may hold remains safely for a longer period of time, we cannot guarantee the adhesive’s strength. If there is a possibility that you may need to store the decedent for longer than 18 months, we recommend using a System5^® bag instead, which can safely hold remains for 49 years or longer.
19. Can this bag be used in a refrigerator or cooler?
• Yes, many of our customers have tested TC^® bags in refrigerators and coolers and have reported no deterioration of the adhesive.

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System5^®

1. How do I use System5^®?
• The roll of material is cut-to-size, meaning you can choose the length of material you need based on the height of the decedent. Cut the desired portion of material, leaving about one foot of material at the head and foot. Once the Thermosealer has been heated for about 10 minutes, seal each of the 4 edges, including the pre-sealed edge. At each corner, press the Thermosealer diagonally to ensure you have a fully hermetic seal. The presence of channels lets you know the bag has been sealed properly.
  
  To view a detailed demonstration of sealing the System5^® containment pouch, visit our How-To page and view the System5^® Training Video. If you still have questions prior to using the bag, please email [email protected] or call us at 760-749-9861 between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time.
2. If the bag is zipper-less, how does it seal?
• System5^® is made of a flexible metal material that is welded together with the Hand-Held Thermosealer. When used as directed, this creates a fully hermetic seal that meets Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) containment standard set by the CDC.
3. What are the dimensions of the bag?
• Each System5^® roll is cut-to-size, meaning you can choose the length of material you need based on the height of the decedent. Rolls of material are 150 feet long by 36” wide.
  
  If you need to seal a bariatric decedent or a casket, the material can be doubled to create an extra large bag. To do this, cut two lengths of material at the desired size, taking care to leave enough material at each end to leave room for sealing the bag closed. Open the material like a book, then seal each side of the material together around the decedent or casket. Use the Thermosealer on each end to create a fully hermetic seal.
4. What is the weight capacity of the bag?
• The weight capacity is 400 lbs.
5. When should System5^® be used?
• System5^® is considered a heavy-duty body bag, and was designed to offer a fully hermetic option that cannot be promised by a traditional zippered body bag. Each pouch can be heat sealed to meet Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) containment standards, making it ideal for use with highly infectious remains, bioterrorism, and advanced decomposition. System5^® shaped the CDC requirements as the middle bag for use with Ebola-infected remains.
6. What is the roll’s shelf-life?
• Each System5^® roll has a shelf life up to 49 years in stable conditions between 45-75° F (7-24° C). To avoid expiration, use within 5 years of manufacture date. Avoid extreme temperatures, moisture, humidity and sunlight. Any imperfection must be declared within 60 days of receipt.
7. What if it is necessary to reopen the bag after it is sealed?
• Because System5^® is heat-sealed, it is possible to reopen the bag once it is sealed. Cut at one end, then reseal with the Thermosealer to create another fully hermetic seal. We do not recommend reopening the bag in the case that infectious or potentially hazardous remains are enclosed.
8. How will I know if the sealed bag has been tampered with?
• System5^® was manufactured with tamper-proof graphics on the outside of each bag to ensure you are aware if someone has opened and resealed the bag. When creating your hermetic seal, press the sealer along the edge on the line marked “1—1—1”, etc. If the bag has been tampered with after your initial seal was created, you will see that the bag was cut past your seam and only the line marked “2—2—2”, etc is showing.
9. Where can I purchase System5^®?
• BioSeal Systems products are sold through our website and our wonderful network of distributors. To find a distributor, please visit the Partnerships section of our website. Contact information is listed for your convenience. If you have any questions or would like a recommendation for a distributor in your region, please email [email protected] or call us at 760-749-9861.
10. Was System5^® really used to bag the first US Ebola death in Dallas?
• Yes, Mr. Thomas Eric Duncan’s remains were contained using System5^® in Dallas, Texas in October of 2014. Dr. David Patterson of Global Mortuary Affairs, along with others in the field, were called to respond to the death of Mr. Duncan and remove his remains in a safe and respectful manner. Dr. Patterson has spoken on the subject in late 2014 and early 2015 to detail his actions, most famously during a CANA Ask The Expert webinar titled “The First Ebola Death in the USA.”
  
  There was a piece done by the San Diego Union Tribune detailing how System5^® played a roll in the first US Ebola despite the CDC's guidelines that were in place at that time. The CDC regulations have since been updated to include a "chlorine-free material impervious to fluids that can be heat-sealed around the body to form a leakproof body bag," otherwise known as the System5^® material, which is the only military tested and proven bag on the market at this time.
11. Where has System5^® been used in the past?
• Because of the trustworthy containment System5^® offers, it has been used to contain remains from many major disasters throughout the last 15 years. These include the tsunamis in Thailand and Japan, all major airline crashes, Hurricane Katrina, and the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. We also have a broad list of clientele ranging from funeral services and crematories to disaster preparedness agencies, hospitals, and even militaries throughout the world.
12. Do I need special training to use System5^®?
• Yes and no. While the System5^® material is easy enough to be used by anyone, we do want to make sure you know how to create a fully hermetic seal as safely and effectively as possible. Before using the material, we recommend watching the System5^® Training Video on our How-To page. And let us know if you have any questions!
13. Can I use the BioSeal Thermosealer on any plastic bag to seal human remains or specimens?
• No, we do not advise use of the BioSeal Thermosealer or any other hand-held heat sealer to contain human remains. Heat sealers can become very hot — too hot for most traditional plastic bags designed for trash or other use.
14. Is System5^® patented?
• BioSeal System5 was previously patented under patent 5,659,933, which is for the heat-sealing of human and animal remains in an odor-proof container (System5^®).
15. Is the bag cremation-safe?
• Yes, the material used to manufacture System5^® is 100% cremation-safe.
16. Is the bag OSHA 3130 compliant?
• Yes, System5^® material is compliant with the OSHA 3130 regulations.
17. How do I know if the bag is sealed properly?
• The BioSeal Hand-Held Thermosealer was specifically designed with ridges on the sealing portion to create channels in the seal. The presence of these channels can be seen on the System5^® bag if sealed properly. Ensure that the Thermosealer is turned up all the way to level 8, let it heat up for approximately 10 minutes, then clamp each section of material for 2-5 seconds to create the channels. We recommend sealing all four edges, including the pre-sealed edge, then making a diagonal seal at each corner to ensure 100% hermetic containment.
18. What temperature does the Thermosealer need to be set to?
• To properly weld the System5^® material together, we recommend using the Thermosealer at its highest setting, level 8. Let it heat up for approximately 10 minutes prior to sealing the bag.
19. Is the bag chlorine-free?
• Yes, System5^® material is made of a chlorine-free plastic and is safe for cremation.

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General

1. Do you have a GSA contract?
• Yes, we do. BioSeal Systems products are sold under GSA contract number GS-070431k.
2. Do you have a DoD/DAPA contract?
• Yes, we do. BioSeal Systems products are sold under DoD/DAPA contract number SP0200-08-H-0055.
3. Where can I purchase BioSeal Systems products?
• BioSeal Systems products are sold through our website and our wonderful network of distributors. To find a distributor, please visit the Partnerships section of our website. Contact information is listed for your convenience. If you have any questions or would like a recommendation for a distributor in your region, please email [email protected] or call us at 760-749-9861.
4. How can I contact you directly?
• We would love to hear from you! You can contact us by phone at 760-749-9861 M-F from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time, during which time we are also logged into webchat on our website. To find the webchat option, please scroll to the bottom of the page and click on our mascot, Slick. You can also email us any time you have a question at [email protected].
5. What countries are BioSeal Systems products sold in?
• We are very proud to say that BioSeal Systems is sold in many countries across the globe! We currently have distributorships set up throughout the US, as well as in Canada, Mexico, the UK, European Union, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Africa.
  
  To contact one of our distributors, please visit the Partnerships section of our website. Contact information is listed for your convenience. If you are interested in distributing BioSeal Systems products, please email [email protected]. We would love to set up a phone interview with you to learn more about your business.
6. How can I become a System5^® Certified Operator?
• Certified BioSeal System5^® Operators are skilled individuals in the death-care and mass fatality industries who have purchased and trained using the System5^® material in a number of different scenarios. We also ask that you have stock of the System5^® material and at least one working Thermosealer at all times. Once you can confirm that you fit this criteria, we will add your contact information to our website on the Certified Operators page.
  
  In the event of a disaster in your region in which System5^® will be needed, responders will have access to our database where they can locate and contact Certified Operators to provide material and/or services.
7. I need a TC^® or System5^® bag right NOW! Do you have any customers in my area?
• Yes, we probably do! If you are in desperate need of trustworthy containment, please contact our office by calling 760-749-9861 or clicking the webchat link above M-F from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time. You are also welcome to contact us via these methods during the time we are closed and leave a message. If your preferred method of contact is email, please send us a message at [email protected]. We will respond as soon as possible with a list of appropriate customers in your area.
8. I have a question that isn’t listed here…
• No problem! You can contact us by phone at 760-749-9861 M-F from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time, during which time we are also logged into webchat on our website. To find the webchat option, please scroll to the bottom of the page and click on our mascot, Slick. You can also email us any time you have a question at [email protected]. We are happy to help in any way we can.
9. What is Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) and who sets those standards?
• In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have specified Biosafety levels ranging from 1-4. Biosafety Level is a level of biocontainment precautions required to isolate dangerous biological agents. Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) is the highest level of containment, and is the level required for work with dangerous and exotic agents that pose a high individual risk of aerosol-transmitted laboratory infections, agents which cause severe to fatal disease in humans for which vaccines or other treatments are not available, such as the Ebola virus and other hemorrhagic diseases.
  
  BioSeal System5^® is currently the only military tested and proven body bag rated as Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) in the United States and is now required by the CDC as the middle bag for Ebola decedents. To learn more about Biosafety levels, visit Wikipedia or read through the CDC’s guidelines for the safe handling of Ebola remains.
10. Where else can I find BioSeal Systems online?
• We would love to see more of you! Find us on these social media sites:
  
11. Where can I find more information about the CDC guidelines for handling a decedent with Ebola?
• The CDC updated their guidelines for the safe handling of Ebola remains in January 2015. To view the updated guidelines, visit the CDC's website.
12. How can I submit a review of BioSeal Systems products?
• To submit a review for addition to our website, please visit our Contact page and email us through the form. We look forward to your feedback!
13. I have a concern. Who can I tell?
• We are always here to help! If you have a concern or question about our products, our website, or something else, please contact us by phone at 760-749-9861 M-F from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time, during which time we are also logged into webchat on our website. To find the webchat option, please scroll to the bottom of the page and click on our mascot, Slick. You can also email us any time you have a question at [email protected]. We are happy to help in any way we can.
  
  If you have a question about an order that was placed through one of our distributors, we recommend giving that distributor a call. We unfortunately cannot help with any issues regarding your order.
14. Where can I find testimonials from other users?
• To see what other users think of System5^® and TC BodyBags^®, visit each product’s page and scroll down. Start on our main Products page and click each product and system to find more information and reviews.
15. How can I become a BioSeal Systems distributor?
• Please let us know! If you are interested in distributing BioSeal Systems products, please email [email protected] and tell us why you think BioSeal Systems products are a good fit for your company. We would love to set up a phone interview with you to learn more.

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