Abstract
Firefighter uniforms provide thermal protection and block radiant as well as high-temperature heat. However, they limit cooling and the dissipation of internal heat from the body. This study attempted to improve firefighter uniforms by developing and evaluating a comfortable and thermally balanced design. This study recruited six male college students for a within-subject comparison of vests with and without active liquid cooling. The participants used a questionnaire to report their comfort level in each body part while performing various motions. A biomechanical analysis was performed to objectively evaluate the comfort level of the cooling vest before and after the test. Subsequently, the participants’ blood pressure and ear as well as skin temperature were measured as they ran on a treadmill. The participants also responded to a questionnaire regarding their thermal perception. The results revealed that the cooling vest was comfortable and flexible. The data from the psychological questionnaire indicated that the participants were satisfied with the warmth, coolness, and other various aspects of the cooling vest. Moreover, the cooling vest positively affected the wearer’s microclimate and provided a comfortable thermal balance. The current findings demonstrate the feasibility of using human-factors-engineering-based objective verification methods for designing products.
Highlights
Firefighters are often exposed to dangerous environments with high temperatures and levels of radiation
The results revealed that the liquid cooling vests slowed the increase in skin temperature, maintained the clothing microclimate, and were comfortable
The cooling vests alleviated thermal stress caused by inadequate heat dissipation
Summary
Firefighters are often exposed to dangerous environments with high temperatures and levels of radiation. The accumulation of heat in the thick and heavy uniforms with low air permeability worn by firefighters can increase the temperature in the microclimate between the clothing and the body [2]. When the temperature of the microclimate within clothing is 5 ◦C higher than the ambient temperature, increased perspiration can cause the body to rapidly lose water, create a salt–water imbalance [3], and exacerbate heat stress by increasing body temperature and heartbeat. This process may cause heat illness and can even threaten a firefighter’s life [4]. Mitigating heat stress, preventing burns and physical injury, and increasing firefighters’ work efficiency can maximize the likelihood of successful rescues
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