Modeling of Thermal Performance of Firefighter Protective Clothing During the Intense Heat Exposure
Modeling of Thermal Performance of Firefighter Protective Clothing During the Intense Heat Exposure

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2002

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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The purpose of this research is to investigate numerically the heat and moisture transport in the firefighter protective clothing under the flash fire exposure. Numerical results help in understanding the basic mechanisms of the transient heat and moisture transport through the protective clothing, air gap, and human skin; and the effects of the moisture content on the thermo-physical properties of protective garments during the radiation heat exposure as well as during the cool-down period. Prediction of thermal performance of garment aids in designing and creating a new firefighter protective turnout gear in order to prevent and minimize tissue burns that result from the radiant energy produced by the fire and from the localized contact flame exposure. During fire extinguishing, firefighters often sweat profusely and are also exposed to the dousing water from a hose spray, which leads to accumulation of moisture in the turnout gear. Evaporation, condensation, desorption, and absorption of the moisture and energy associated with phase change can affect the temperature and energy flux to the skin. Traditional thermal protective garments rely passively on thermal properties of fabric and the entrapment of insulating air layers to resist heat flux from flash fire exposures. To improve the level of heat flux resistance of thermal protective garments, this research evaluates the feasibility of developing a novel garment system based on the utilization of a water-injection. For the intelligent garment investigated in this research, the liquid water will be injected in the outer layer of the garment through a capillary net composed of thin perforated tubes; the injection process will be activated by a temperature sensor embedded in the outer fabric layer. Therefore, the new turnout system augments this outer layer, by providing an active thermal barrier and acting as a thermal buffer against the high heat flux associated with the flash fire exposure while the remaining in.

Firefighters' Clothing and Equipment
Firefighters' Clothing and Equipment

Author: Guowen Song

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2018-12-07

Total Pages: 372

ISBN-13: 0429816413

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Protective clothing and equipment used for firefighters protect them against their harsh working environment loaded with strong thermal hazards, elevated environmental temperatures, low oxygen concentration and smoke. This book describes an in-depth review of firefighting clothing and equipment, and explicitly addresses the performance of protection and comfort in textile engineering, clothing design, and evaluation. Covered topics include protection and comfort requirements for firefighting clothing and equipment, testing methods, standards and performance evaluation, smart firefighting clothing for first responders and numerical modeling of performance of firefighting clothing. Key Features Presents complete overview about the requirements of firefighters' protective clothing/thermal protective materials Addresses performance of protection and comfort Includes human thermoregulation system and responses to firefighting working environment Discusses SMART firefighting clothing and equipment Suggests "how to improve the wear comfort?

Thermal Protective Clothing for Firefighters
Thermal Protective Clothing for Firefighters

Author: Guowen Song

Publisher: Woodhead Publishing

Published: 2016-08-27

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13: 0081012861

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Thermal Protective Clothing for Firefighters explores the materials, design, and usage of thermal protective clothing. The characteristics of fire hazards are discussed in detail, and the thermal environments faced by firefighters in these fire hazards are also examined. The different types of potential burn injuries and the heat stress that occurs to firefighters’ bodies when exposed to such thermal environments are analyzed. Furthermore, the development of various high performance fibers and fabrics for thermal protective clothing is discussed. The test methods and existing standards to evaluate the thermal protective and physiological comfort performances of the fabrics and clothing are critically reviewed. Recent developments in the field of fire- and heat-resistant materials have led to significant improvements in thermal protective clothing. In parallel with this, the complexity and risk levels of fires, especially in industrial-storage facilities, and developments in health and safety cultures have increased the demand for high-performance heat- and flame-resistant clothing and equipment, designed to mitigate skin burn injuries and reduce risk of death from fire hazards. Throughout the work, the gaps and limitations in existing test methods and standards are identified, and approaches are recommended for the development of enhanced test methods. Scenario modeling and its implications for firefighters’ protective clothing is discussed, and various factors affecting performance are established. Finally, various key issues related to thermal protective clothing are addressed to guide the future research in the field of thermal protective clothing for firefighters. This book will help materials-textile engineers to develop high performance thermal protective clothing that can enhance the protection, safety, and comfort of firefighters. Offers a helpful guide to the successful specification and design of high performance protective clothing to meet the high standards of today's regulatory framework Introduces the new materials technical innovations that are transforming fire protective clothing Explores the role of clothing from the operational perspective, including technical innovations Offers a critical review of the test methods and existing standards to evaluate the thermal protective and physiological comfort performances of the fabrics and clothing

Modeling Thermal Protection Outfits for Fire Exposures
Modeling Thermal Protection Outfits for Fire Exposures

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2003

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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A numerical model has been developed that successfully predicts heat transfer through thermally protective clothing materials and garments exposed to intense heat. The model considers the effect of fire exposure to the thermophysical properties of materials as well as the air layers between the clothing material and skin surface. These experiments involved characterizing the flash fire surrounding the manikin by measuring the temperature of the flame above each thermal sensor in the manikin surface. An estimation method is used to calculate the heat transfer coefficient for each thermal sensor in a 4 second exposure to an average heat flux of 2.00cal/cm2sec. A parameter estimation method was used to estimate fabrics dynamic thermophysical properties. The skin-clothe air gap distribution of different garments was determined using three-dimensional body scanning technology. Multi-layer skin heat transfer and a burn prediction models are used to predict second and third degree burns. The integrated generalized model developed will validated using the "Pyroman" Thermal Protective Clothing Analysis System with Kevlar/PBI® and Nomex®A coverall garments. A parametric study conducted using this numerical model indicated the influencing parameters on garment thermal protective performance in terms of burn damage subjected to 4 second flash fire exposure. The importance of these parameters is analyzed and distinguished. These parameters includes fabric thermophysical properties, Pyroman® chamber generated flash fire characterizes, garment shrinkage and fit factors, as well as garment initial and test ambient temperature. Different skin models are also investigated using this model.