Characterizing the Tensile Strength of the Fabrics Used in Firefighters' Bunker Gear under Radiant Heat Exposure.

Nur-Us-Shafa Mazumder,Sumit Mandal,Guowen Song,Lynn M Boorady,Adriana Petrova,Robert J Agnew

doi:10.3390/polym14020296

Nur-Us-Shafa Mazumder, Sumit Mandal + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14020296

Copy DOI

Journal: Polymers	Publication Date: Jan 12, 2022
Citations: 10	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Oklahoma State University, Iowa State University

Abstract

More than 60,000 firefighters’ injuries were reported by the National Fire Protection Association in the U.S. in 2019. Inadequate protection by bunker gear could be a reason for most of the injuries. Firefighters repeatedly encounter thermal hazards due to their job responsibilities. Degradation could occur on bunker gear fabric during thermal exposure. It has been found that the presence of moisture affects performance as well, which may come from wearers’ sweat. Proper evaluation of the tensile strength of the fabrics used in bunker gear could provide information essential for maintenance the overall integrity of the gear. An evaluation of the tensile strength of fabrics when exposed to 10, 15, and 20 kW/m2 radiant heat flux in the presence of moisture is reported. In each fabric system, a total of sixty-four different samples were prepared for four different types of fabric and four levels of moisture which were exposed to three different radiant heat flux for five minutes. Heat flux and moisture levels have significant impact on tensile strength. The effect of moisture on tensile strength in a three-layered fabric system is higher than that for a single layer fabric. An understanding of the impact of heat and moisture on fabric strength has been achieved.

Highlights

Firefighting is considered a hazardous occupation because of the environment in which firefighters work
The radiant heat-treated fabrics were conditioned for 24 h before measuring the tensile strength
The tensile strength of the fabrics A, B, C, and D were measured by the tensile strength tester using the standard method ASTM D5034

Summary

Introduction

Firefighting is considered a hazardous occupation because of the environment in which firefighters work. Fire departments in the U.S responded to 1.3 million fires in 2019, and there is always the risk of death and injury for on-duty firefighters [1,2]. Based on the survey “United States Firefighter Injuries in 2019”, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimated that in 2019 over 60,000 firefighters’ injuries occurred in the line of duty. Around 40% of these injuries happened at the fire-ground, the area where firefighting operations are carried out [1,3]. 48 firefighters died while on duty in the U.S in 2019 [4]. Improved protective clothing can minimize the risk of injuries to firefighters [5,6]

Methods

Results

Conclusion