Evaluation of Functionality of Warning System in Smart Protective Clothing for Firefighters

Abstract

Recent achievements in the field of miniaturization of electronics have led to a significant interest in its application into the protective clothing for firefighters in order to improve their safety and health. However, up to now there are not any requirements and standardized test methods enabling confirmation of safety of use and functionality of these systems in work environment. In the paper, an importance of evaluation of such smart wearable system in predicted utility conditions is highlighted. Three variants of the specially developed personal warning systems (PWSs) for integration with either health status or environmental sensors to be used in smart protective clothing for firefighters are presented, i.e., with LCD display, LED diodes and vibrating element. For the purpose of evaluation a new testing methodology was developed. The PWSs were evaluated on a basis of perception of warning signals by firefighters in simulated utility conditions including temperature, light, noise, fog and performed activities. In the case of marching, even 75% of signals generated by PWS with LCD display were not received. Physical activity did not influence on functionality of PWS with vibrating element. For the PWS with LED diodes, the signal was received statistically significantly quicker than in the case of other PWS and the mean value of voice response time was below 3 s.

Problems of operation of positive pressure ventilators on the basis of surveys of Polish officers of the State Fire Service

“…In addition, the firefighters identified several features related to the ergonomics of this type of clothing, including weight, freedom of movement and durability of the materials. Such research is the basis for determining the direction of development of firefighters’ clothing, e.g., like the aforementioned cooling system 19 , 20 , location sensor 21 – 23 , thermal imaging camera 24 , 25 , chemical concentration sensor 26 , 27 , weight reduction 28 , improvement of freedom of movement 29 and material durability 30 , 31 . Survey tests were also conducted by Roldan-Gomez et al 32 on the quality of using firefighters’ equipment.…”

Problems of operation of positive pressure ventilators on the basis of surveys of Polish officers of the State Fire Service

“…In addition, the re ghters identi ed several features related to the ergonomics of this type of clothing, including weight, freedom of movement and durability of the materials. Such research is the basis for determining the direction of development of re ghters' clothing, e.g., like the aforementioned cooling system 19,20 , location sensor [21][22][23] , thermal imaging camera 24,25 , chemical concentration sensor 26,27 , weight reduction 28 , improvement of freedom of movement 29 and material durability 30,31 . Survey tests were also conducted by Roldan-Gomez et.…”