Abstract
Comparison of thermal performance of firefi ghter protective clothing at diff erent levels of radiant heat flux density
Highlights
Clothing serves as a barrier to the exterior atmosphere and acts as a heat transmission channel from the human body to the surrounding atmosphere [1]
The main purpose of fire fighter protective clothing is to delay the increase in temperature of the human body when they are exposed to a heat source and to enhance the firefighters’ working time when saving lives and valuables
If the thermal protective behaviour of firefighters’ clothing (FFC) can succeed in enhancing the confrontation time of firefighters against radiant heat flux density, they will be able to save more lives and assets
Summary
Clothing serves as a barrier to the exterior atmosphere and acts as a heat transmission channel from the human body to the surrounding atmosphere [1]. The firefighter protective clothing consists of three layers, i.e. an exterior shell, moisture barrier and thermal liner [8,9,10]. The exterior shell is made up of the substrates which do not burn or degenerate when they are confronted with the heat and flame These materials avert ignition when they are in contact with flame, and must be water repellent and permeable to water vapour. The moisture barrier is a microporous or hydrophilic membrane situated between the thermal liner and outer shell This membrane is permeable to water vapour but impermeable to liquid water, and protects the human body from blood pathogens and chemicals in liquid form. The thermal liner secures the human body by delaying the external environment heat It is made up of flame retardant fibres and their blends. More time can be spent by the firefighter to save lives and prevent damages instigated by fire and heat [14,15,16]
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