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http://dx.doi.org/10.5805/SFTI.2019.21.5.606

Development of Firefighters' Personal Protective Clothing with Nomex Honeycomb Fabric and its Protective and Comfort Evaluation  

Jung, Jae-Yeon (Dept. of Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design, Seoul National University)
Ku, Ponjun (Dept. of Physical Education, Seoul National University)
Kim, Do Hyung (Dept. of Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design, Seoul National University)
Kwon, Min-Jae (Fire Protection Technology Center, Korea Conformity Laboratories(KCL))
Kang, Sungwook (Fire Protection Technology Center, Korea Conformity Laboratories(KCL))
Choi, Jeong-Yoon (Fire Protection Technology Center, Korea Conformity Laboratories(KCL))
Lee, Joo-Young (Dept. of Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design, Seoul National University)
Publication Information
Fashion & Textile Research Journal / v.21, no.5, 2019 , pp. 606-617 More about this Journal
Abstract
The present study newly developed a firefighters' protective jacket and pants using a Nomex honeycomb structured layer (HPC) in cases of being exposed to flashover or flameover. This study evaluated the protective and comfort functions of an HPC compared to the current KFI firefighters' protective clothing (FPC). The results are as follows. First, thermal protective performance (TPP) of fabric layers was 2.75 times greater for HPC than FPC at $125kW/m^2$. Second, the predicted second and third degree burn areas were smaller for HPC than FPC when using a flame manikin. Third, thermal insulation using a thermal manikin was 0.2 clo greater for HPC than FPC. Fourth, there were no marked differences in maximal performance, mobility, and microclimate temperature/humidity between FPC and HPC through human wear trials. The thermal insulation of HPC was higher than that of FPC; however, any negative effect of HPC thermal insulation on the comfort functions for firefighters was not found. In conclusion, the newly-developed HPC provided more protection in reducing burn injuries from $125kW/m^2$, while no negative impact on maximal performance, mobility and thermal comfort functions of firefighters, which is appropriate for quick-evasive tactics at the flashover, flameover or back draft fires.
Keywords
nomex honeycomb fabric; firefighter; protective clothing; comfort; mobility;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 1  (Citation Analysis)
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