Analysis of the Flammability and the Mechanical and Electrostatic Discharge Properties of Selected Personal Protective Equipment Used in Oxygen-Enriched Atmosphere in a State of Epidemic Emergency

Abstract

Numerous fires occurring in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the dangers of the existence of an oxygen-enriched atmosphere. At oxygen concentrations higher than 21%, fires spread faster and more vigorously; thus, the safety of healthcare workers and patients is significantly reduced. Personal protective equipment (PPE) made mainly from plastics is combustible and directly affects their safety. The aim of this study was to assess its fire safety in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere. The thermodynamic properties, fire, and burning behavior of the selected PPE were studied, as well as its mechanical and electrostatic discharge properties. Cotton and disposable aprons were classified as combustible according to their LOI values of 17.17% and 17.39%, respectively. Conall Health A (23.37%) and B/C (23.51%) aprons and the Prion Guard suit (24.51%) were classified as self-extinguishing. The cone calorimeter test revealed that the cotton apron ignites the fastest (at 10 s), while for the polypropylene PPE, flaming combustion starts between 42 and 60 s. The highest peak heat release rates were observed for the disposable apron (62.70 kW/m2), Prion Guard suit (61.57 kW/m2), and the cotton apron (62.81 kW/m2). The mean CO yields were the lowest for these PPEs. Although the Conall Health A and B/C aprons exhibited lower pHRR values, their toxic CO yield values were the highest. The most durable fabrics of the highest maximum tensile strength were the cotton apron (592.1 N) and the Prion Guard suit (274.5 N), which also exhibited the lowest electrification capability. Both fabrics showed the best abrasion resistance of 40,000 and 38,000 cycles, respectively. The abrasion values of other fabrics were significantly lower. The research revealed that the usage of PPE made from polypropylene in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere may pose a fire risk.

Single-Layer and Double-Layer Filtration Materials Based on Polyvinylidene Fluoride-Co-hexafluoropropylene Nanofibers Coated on Melamine Microfibers

“…The motivation for such a two-layer design is to enable the use of a base layer made out of thermally stable melamine, which is also chemically stable and UV resistant, offering an advantage over other materials, as it can be sterilized without losing its properties. It also has fire-retardant properties, which are essential for protective equipment in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere, such as hospitals . Furthermore, the high temperature stability allows thermal disinfection of the used respiratory masks, which could significantly reduce the present environmental burden .…”

“…It also has fire-retardant properties, which are essential for protective equipment in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere, such as hospitals. 95 Furthermore, the high temperature stability allows thermal disinfection of the used respiratory masks, which could significantly reduce the present environmental burden. 96 Indeed, when thin electrospun fibers made from inert PVDF-HFP fibers are used as an overlayer on thicker melamine fibers, PRE improves greatly from 70 to 99.9%.…”

Providing an approach to analyze the risk of central oxygen tanks in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The behavior of oxygen is different from other inert gases and compressed air. An oxidizer is required as one of the elements of the fire triangle to create a fire [ 3 ]. If the environment is enriched with oxygen (23–24%), we will face very dangerous conditions in terms of fire and explosion risk, which is mainly caused by oxygen leakage.…”

“…Materials that do not burn in the air, including fire retardants, may burn violently in oxygen-enriched air or pure oxygen [ 6 ]. A higher concentration of oxygen in the environment causes the fire to spread faster, increase the flame temperature, and decreases the minimum temperature or ignition energy to produce combustion [ 3 , [7] , [8] , [9] ].…”