This work aims to investigate and develop a novel phase change material (PCM)-integrated firefighters' turnout gear technology that would significantly enhance the thermal protection of firefighters' bodies from thermal burn injuries under high-heat conditions (such as in fire scenes). This work established a 3D human thermal simulation to explore the thermal protection improvements of firefighters' turnout gear by using PCM segments under flashover and hazardous conditions. This simulation study will guide future experimental design and testing effectively and save time and effort. The study found that the 3.0-mm-thick PCM segments with a melting temperature of 60°C could extend the thermal protection time for skin surface to reach second-degree burn injury (60°C) by one to three times under flashover conditions compared to the turnout gear without PCM. Moreover, thinner PCM segments, i.e., 1.0-3.0 mm thickness, could also significantly mitigate the skin surface temperature increase while avoiding the added weight on the turnout gear. The 3D modelling results can be used to develop a next-generation firefighter turnout gear technology.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11451440 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.54941/ahfe1004871 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
The role of personal protective equipment (PPE) in reducing firefighter exposure to chemical hazards: A systematic review.
J Occup Environ Hyg
November 2024
School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia.
This paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of personal protective equipment (PPE) in reducing firefighter exposure to various hazardous chemicals from the smoke emitted during fires. A systematic review of peer-reviewed articles was undertaken utilizing five databases: Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINHAL. Studies published between 2013 and 2023 that investigated the effectiveness of PPE in reducing firsthand exposure to at least one chemical were included.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF3D Numerical Simulation for Thermal Protection of Phase Change Material-Integrated Firefighters' Turnout Gear.
Appl Hum Factors Ergon Conf
January 2024
Northeastern State University, Department of Natural Sciences, Tahlequah, OK 74464, USA.
This work aims to investigate and develop a novel phase change material (PCM)-integrated firefighters' turnout gear technology that would significantly enhance the thermal protection of firefighters' bodies from thermal burn injuries under high-heat conditions (such as in fire scenes). This work established a 3D human thermal simulation to explore the thermal protection improvements of firefighters' turnout gear by using PCM segments under flashover and hazardous conditions. This simulation study will guide future experimental design and testing effectively and save time and effort.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImpact of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Weights on Firefighter's Kinematics During Simulated Firefighter Tasks.
Appl Hum Factors Ergon Conf
January 2024
New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102, USA.
Firefighters face a multitude of hazards in their line of duty, with overexertion being one of the foremost causes of injuries or fatalities. This high risk is often exacerbated by the burden of carrying a heavy self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). This study aims to explore the impact of SCBA weight on firefighters' musculoskeletal joint movements.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAssessing the Impact of Pre-Soaking to Enhance Laundering Efficacy of Firefighter Turnout Gear.
Toxics
July 2024
Textile Protection and Comfort Center (TPACC), Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA.
Article Synopsis
- * This study investigates the effectiveness of presoaking turnout gear in different durations (1, 3, and 12 hours) and detergent concentrations (99:1 and 90:10 water-to-detergent ratios) to improve PAH removal.
- * Results show that longer presoaking times and higher detergent concentrations significantly enhance the removal of both low-molecular-weight and high-molecular-weight PAHs, providing important guidance for better safety practices for firefighters.
PFAS emissions from functional textiles using micro-chamber and thermal desorption coupled to two-dimensional gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry (TD-GC×GC-TOF MS).
J Chromatogr A
September 2024
EBD, Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Ottawa, Ontario K1A0K9, Canada.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in the polymeric form, have been used extensively in functional textiles, including firefighter's turnout gear (e.g., jackets and pants), where PFAS are applied to confer oil and water resistance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!