Effect of air gaps characteristics on thermal protective performance of firefighters’ clothing

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to provide the details of developments to research works in the distribution characteristics of the air gaps within firefighters' clothing and research methods to evaluate the effect of air gaps on the thermal protective performance of firefighters' clothing. Design/methodology/approach -In this paper, the distribution of air gaps within firefighters' clothing was first analyzed, and the air gaps characteristics were summarized as thickness, location, heterogeneity, orientation and dynamics. Then, the evaluation of the air gap on the thermal protective performance of fighters' clothing was reviewed for both experimental and numerical studies. Findings -The air gaps within clothing layers and between clothing and skin play an important role in determining the thermal protective performance of firefighters' protective clothing. It is obvious that research works on the effects of actual air gaps entrapped in firefighters' clothing on thermal protection are comparatively few in number, primarily focusing on static and uniform air gaps at the fabric level. Further studies should be conducted to define the characteristic of air gap, deepen the understand of mechanism of heat transfer and numerically simulate the 3D dynamic heat transfer in clothing to improve the evaluation of thermal protective performance provided by the firefighters' clothing. Practical implications -Air gaps within thermal protective clothing play a crucial role in the protective performance of clothing and provide an efficient way to provide fire-fighting occupational safety. To accurately characterize the distribution of air gaps in firefighters' clothing under high heat exposure, the paper will provide guidelines for clothing engineers to design clothing for fighters and optimize the clothing performance. Originality/value -This paper is offered as a concise reference for researchers' further research in the area of the effect of air gaps within firefighters' clothing under thermal exposure.

Effects of environmental temperature and humidity on evaporative heat loss through firefighter suit materials made with semi-permeable and microporous moisture barriers

“…Air gaps exist between the human body and clothing, as well between fabric layers. 27,28 The presence of air gaps influences negatively the wear comfort in terms of heat and water vapor transfer from the human body to the environment. 18 We will investigate how air gap sizes along with environmental conditions could affect heat transfer through firefighter turnout composites.…”

Effects of Outer Shell Fabric Color, Smoke Contamination, and Washing on Heat Loss through Turnout Suit Systems

“…Firefighter suits are three-layer systems, and air gaps exist between the body and clothing, as well as between the fabric layers. 44,45 The presence of air gaps limits the transfer of heat and moisture from the human body to the environment. 46 In this study, the influence of material properties on heat gain from solar radiation was investigated only on a fabric level, without considering the effect of the air gap.…”

Using Artificial Neural Network Modeling to Analyze the Thermal Protective and Thermo-Physiological Comfort Performance of Textile Fabrics Used in Oilfield Workers’ Clothing

“…The significance of the effect on the performance depends on the amount and location of the moisture in the clothing [ 28 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. Moreover, the entrapped air gap has great positive influence on the protective performance of fire-protective textiles but has a negative effect on comfort performance [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ]. In this context, Deng et al (2018) found that air gaps within the clothing layer and human skin play an important role in determining the thermal protective and comfort performance, and this air gap should be considered as a parameter while developing a performance-predictive model [ 38 ].…”

“…Moreover, the entrapped air gap has great positive influence on the protective performance of fire-protective textiles but has a negative effect on comfort performance [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ]. In this context, Deng et al (2018) found that air gaps within the clothing layer and human skin play an important role in determining the thermal protective and comfort performance, and this air gap should be considered as a parameter while developing a performance-predictive model [ 38 ]. Therefore, to reproduce more realistic conditions, moisture and the microclimate air gap have to be considered as they can substantially influence the thermal protective and thermo-physiological comfort performance of fabrics [ 29 ].…”