Comparison of thermal performance of firefi ghter protective clothing at diff erent levels of radiant heat flux density

Abstract

The experimental work presented in this study is related to the investigation of thermal protective performance of fi refi ghter clothing, which plays a pivotal role in the fi refi ghters' safety and performance. The fi refi ghter clothing usually consists of three layers, i.e. an outer shell, moisture barrier and thermal liner. Four samples were used for the purpose of this study. The samples were characterized on Alambeta for the evaluation of thermal resistance and thermal conductivity, respectively. Afterwards, the samples were evaluated on a thermal manikin "Maria" at room temperature to measure the insulation values. Moreover, air permeability was evaluated by using an air permeability tester. The samples were then analysed for their thermal protective behaviour in line with a lightly modifi ed ISO standard 12127, i.e. the samples were subjected toa150 °C heat plate at constant speed. In addition, transmitted heat fl ux density and percentage transmission factor of all samples were determined with the help of a radiant heat fl ux density machine at 10 kW/m 2 and 20 kW/m 2. It was concluded that sample 4 had higher thermal resistance and insulation values. The outer shell of sample 4 had lower air permeability values as compared to the outer shell of samples 1, 2 and 3. Similarly, the combination of the outer shell 4 and the thermal barrier 4 led to lower air permeability values as compared to the combination of the outer shell 1 and thermal barrier 1, outer shell 2 and thermal barrier 2, and outer shell 3 and thermal barrier 3. The rate of temperature rise in sample 4 occurred at a slower rate against the heated plate in comparison with samples 1, 2 and 3. Furthermore, sample 4 exhibited lower transmitted heat fl ux density and percentage transmission factor as compared to samples 1, 2 and 3.

High-Performance Fibres – A Review of Properties and IR-Spectra

“…They also find applications in fibre-reinforced composite materials [9]. Nonflammable fibres find applications, for example, in fire-protective clothes and in airplane interior textile materials [10,11]. Fibres with excellent stability against heat and chemicals can be also be used for the production of protective clothes [12].…”

A NiTi alloy weft knitted fabric for smart firefighting clothing

“…An air gap is the empty space between the skin and a fabric, or between two fabrics in an article of clothing [20]. When the air captured in the air gap is stationary, it increases the thermal insulation of clothing, provided that the textile materials are dry.…”

“…The aim of our study was to develop a smart interlining for firefighting protecting clothing that would provide dynamic thermal isolation properties. Instead of using the spirals referred to in other studies, [17][18][19][20][21][22] we developed a prototype of a NiTi alloy knitted fabric with a two-way shapememory effect that facilitates increasing thickness at a temperature of 75 °C, and higher and decreasing thickness when the environmental temperature falls below 75 °C.…”