Anthropometric Procedures for Protective Equipment Sizing and Design

Hsiao, Hongwei

doi:10.1177/0018720812465640

Cited by 48 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(34 reference statements)

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“…This study provides critical data to address the fire apparatus design and cab space arrangement issue, which is absent in the literature. The results also echo the required step of an anthropometric adjustment for clothing and gear in protective equipment design for public safety professionals (Hsiao, 2013). …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Sizing Firefighters

et al. 2014

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Objective This article reports new anthropometric information of U.S. firefighters for fire apparatus design applications (Study 1) and presents a data method to assist in firefighter anthropometric data usage for research-to-practice propositions (Study 2). Background Up-to-date anthropometric information of the U.S. firefighter population is needed for updating ergonomic and safety specifications for fire apparatus. Method A stratified sampling plan of three-age by three-race/ethnicity combinations was used to collect anthropometric data of 863 male and 88 female firefighters across the U.S. regions; 71 anthropometric dimensions were measured (Study 1). Differences among original, weighted, and normality transformed data from Study 1 were compared to allowable observer errors (Study 2). Results On average, male firefighters were 9.8 kg heavier and female firefighters were 29 mm taller than their counterparts in the general U.S. population. They also have larger upper-body builds than those of the general U.S. population. The data in weighted, unweighted, and normality transformed modes were compatible among each other with a few exceptions. Conclusion The data obtained in this study provide the first available U.S. national firefighter anthropometric information for fire apparatus designs. The data represent the demographic characteristics of the current firefighter population and, except for a few dimensions, can be directly employed into fire apparatus design applications without major weighting or nonnormality concerns. Application The up-to-date firefighter anthropometric data and data method will benefit the design of future fire apparatus and protective equipment, such as seats, body restraints, cabs, gloves, and bunker gear.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Sizing Firefighters

et al. 2014

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“…Based on a six-step anthropometric procedure for equipment sizing and design (Hsiao, 2013) and the data from Table 3, the minimum belt web length for Type I lap belt (pelvic restraint) would be based on the mean bi-trochanter curve length in gear for male firefighters plus the product of its standard deviation and the adopted Z value (880 mm + 100 mm × 3.1 = 1190 mm), where 3.1 is the Z value for covering 99.9 percent of male firefighter population. This will cover almost all females as well.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this case, a multivariate accommodation analysis would be more appropriate to obtain good estimates of the true levels of accommodation. The recommendation in selecting analysis procedures is available in the literature (Hsiao, 2013) and the guidance and examples for conducting multivariate accommodation analyses are available as well (Zehner et al, 1992; Hsiao et al, 2005). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seat and seatbelt accommodation in fire apparatus: Anthropometric aspects

et al. 2015

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This study developed anthropometric information on U.S. firefighters to guide fire-apparatus seat and seatbelt designs and future standards development. A stratified sample of 863 male and 88 female firefighters across the U.S. participated in the study. The study results suggested 498 mm in width, 404 mm in depth, and 365–476 mm in height for seat pans; 429–522 mm in width and 542 mm in height for seat back; 871 mm in height for head support; a seat space of 733 mm at shoulder and 678 mm at hip; and a knee/leg clearance of 909 mm in fire truck cab. Also, 1520 mm of lap belt web effective length and 2828 mm of lap-and-shoulder belt web effective length were suggested. These data for firetruck seats and seatbelts provide a foundation for fire apparatus manufacturers and standards committees to improve firefighter seat designs and seatbelt usage compliance.

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“…Psychomotor, Sensory/Perceptual Ability Anthropometric science is the study of variance in human body dimensions, and how this needs to be incorporated into design solutions to provide for efficient and safe operation of equipment and systems (Hsiao 2013;Lee and Bro 2008). Understanding variation in human body dimensions and strength provides for the correct design of equipment.…”

Section: Anthropometric Characteristics and Physicalmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influences of Recruitment Processes and Selection Predictors on New Employee Safety

Burt

2015

New Employee Safety

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Anthropometric Procedures for Protective Equipment Sizing and Design

Cited by 48 publications

References 19 publications

Sizing Firefighters

Sizing Firefighters

Seat and seatbelt accommodation in fire apparatus: Anthropometric aspects

The Influences of Recruitment Processes and Selection Predictors on New Employee Safety

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