Predicting Mechanical Strength of In-Use Firefighter Protective Clothing Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Rezazadeh, Moein; Bespflug, Christopher; Torvi, David A.; Noble, Scott D.; Fulton, Mackenzie

doi:10.1007/s10694-018-0766-3

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…This was important as these studies were also designed to generate data to develop correlations between tensile strength and near infrared (NIR) spectrophotometer measurements, which has shown promise as a nondestructive test method that could be used to evaluate in-use protective clothing. 37 The heating rate of fabrics exposed to the cone calorimeter was much higher than in the TGA tests, and the temperatures recorded on the back of the fabrics reached an approximate steady-state value shortly after the air-cooled shutter was opened. Figure 4 F I G U R E 9 RS Black fabric specimens before and after 20 kW/m 2 exposures and tensile testing (durations from 30 to 300 seconds) 29 F I G U R E 1 0 RS Natural fabric specimens before and after 20 kW/m 2 exposures and tensile testing (durations from 30 to 300 seconds) 29 Black fabric, while Table 3 There were also no discernible physical changes to the fabrics (eg, there was no noticeable change in the fabric's surface or flexibility).…”

Section: Tensile Testingmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…The heat fluxes produced a wide range of temperatures over which the thermochemical reactions of the fabrics may be expected to occur based on the TGA results (Figure 1), and hence to result in a wide range of tensile strength values. This was important as these studies were also designed to generate data to develop correlations between tensile strength and near infrared (NIR) spectrophotometer measurements, which has shown promise as a nondestructive test method that could be used to evaluate in‐use protective clothing 37 . The heating rate of fabrics exposed to the cone calorimeter was much higher than in the TGA tests, and the temperatures recorded on the back of the fabrics reached an approximate steady‐state value shortly after the air‐cooled shutter was opened.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finally, the information in this study will be used in the development of nondestructive test methods to evaluate fabrics in the field and to make decisions as to whether or not to retire these garments. This research group has evaluated methods based on color measurement in the past, 17,19 and is currently evaluating methods that are based on near‐infrared spectroscopy 28,29,37 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This research group has evaluated methods based on color measurement in the past, 17,19 and is currently evaluating methods that are based on nearinfrared spectroscopy. 28,29,37…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of high heat flux exposures on tensile strength of firefighters' protective clothing

et al. 2021

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Summary The effects of thermal aging on tensile strength of three Kevlar/PBI blends used in the outer shell layer of firefighters' protective clothing were examined using cone calorimeter exposures of 10‐70 kW/m2 for 30‐300 seconds. Lower heat flux exposures of 10‐15 kW/m2 did not result in significant change in the tensile strength of the fabrics, but significant losses of tensile strength were first observed as the heat fluxes increased to 20‐30 kW/m2 for two ripstop fabrics, and 45 kW/m2 for the third fabric. Further decreases in tensile strength were observed with increasing heat flux until there was almost a total loss of original tensile strength following exposure to 70 kW/m2. Decreases in tensile strength were explained by comparing fabric temperature measurements made using an infrared thermometer, key temperatures in thermal gravimetric analysis test results, and the appearance of the three fabrics after the exposures. While duration of exposure had little effect on tensile strength after exposures to 10 kW/m2, tensile strength decreased with duration of exposure for heat fluxes of 20‐40 kW/m2. The effect of duration was greatest for a heat flux of 20 kW/m2. These results indicate that one must consider not only the maximum temperature that the fabric reaches, but the complete temperature‐time trace, including the time at which the fabric remains at the maximum temperature, when examining the effects of thermal aging on tensile strength.

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Section: Tensile Testingmentioning

confidence: 83%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This research group has evaluated methods based on color measurement in the past, 17,19 and is currently evaluating methods that are based on nearinfrared spectroscopy. 28,29,37…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of high heat flux exposures on tensile strength of firefighters' protective clothing

et al. 2021

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“…On the other hand, shell fabric color had little effect on reflectivity in the ultraviolet (UV, 0.25-0.4 lm) and medium infrared (MIR, 1.5-3 lm) regions, an outcome consistent with studies that have reported color effect on radiation absorption in wavelengths below 1.5 lm. 41 Apart from color-related effects, we observed that the twill-weave golden-brown shell fabric made with filament yarns (GST) had a slightly greater reflectivity than the plain-weave golden-brown outer shell material (GSP), which used a higher percentage of staple yarns, although these effects were much less significant than color-related differences.…”

Section: Effects Of Outer Shell Fabric Color and Texture On Heat Loss...mentioning

confidence: 95%

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

Gao

Deaton

Fang

et al. 2022

Textile Research Journal

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Firefighters frequently have to work in direct solar radiant heat. To reduce firefighter heat stress, the influence of turnout garment properties on heat gain from solar radiation must be understood. This research studied the effects of color, texture, washing, and contamination of outer shell fabrics on heat loss through firefighter turnout fabric materials in simulated solar exposures. It showed that solar radiation could be a major factor in heat loss through turnout suits. Solar radiation equivalent to a sunny day completely reversed heat exchange through the turnout fabric systems, converting a heat loss of about 240 W/m2 to a heat gain exceeding 100 W/m2. Solar radiation caused turnout fabric systems to dry out and this decreased the performance of turnout systems that incorporated bi-component moisture barriers. Most significantly, the color of the outer shell had a major influence on lowering turnout heat loss in solar exposures. Composites with a black-dyed outer shell absorbed more solar energy than composites with lighter colored shell materials. Soot and fire-ground contaminants present on turnout outer shell fabrics also reduced heat loss under solar exposure. The findings of this study answered long-standing questions about the importance of turnout fabric color on heat exchange with the environment. The results provide additional motivation for efficient turnout cleaning practices, not only to reduce potentially toxic exposure to smoke contaminants, but to reduce turnout-gear-related heat strain on firefighters.

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Comparison of Techniques for Prediction of Mechanical Strength of Firefighters’ Protective Clothing Using Near-Infrared Spectral Data

et al. 2021

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Predicting Mechanical Strength of In-Use Firefighter Protective Clothing Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Cited by 10 publications

References 13 publications

Effects of high heat flux exposures on tensile strength of firefighters' protective clothing

Effects of high heat flux exposures on tensile strength of firefighters' protective clothing

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

Comparison of Techniques for Prediction of Mechanical Strength of Firefighters’ Protective Clothing Using Near-Infrared Spectral Data

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