Clothing Air Gap Layers and Thermal Protective Performance in Single Layer Garment

Abstract

A three-dimensional body scanning technique is used to measure the air gap layer distribution between different-sized protective garments and the body of a manikin used to evaluate garment thermal protective performance. The influence of fabric material and garment size on the manikin skin-clothing air gap layers existing in single layer thermally protective coveralls is analyzed. Protective performance of these garments is evaluated using the Manikin Thermal Protective Clothing Analysis System. Relationships between the burn patterns, measured on a flash fire manikin and measured manikin-garment air gap layers, are examined. The effects of thermally induced shrinkage as a result of flash fire exposure are discussed in comparisons between single layer protective coverall clothing made with heat resistant fabrics. An established numerical model is used to forecast the dimensions of skin-clothing air gap for optimum thermal protection.