• Proceedings of the Korea Institute of Fire Science and Engineering Conference
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.171-174
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• 2011

본 연구는 소방공무원이 착용하는 소방용 공기호흡기(SCBA)가 신체에 미치는 영향을 분석하여 소방공무원의 안전을 위한 기초자료 제공을 목적으로 한다. 연구결과 소방용 공기호흡기를 착용한 경우가 반바지를 착장한 경우보다 평균피부온도(7%), 심박수(28%), 운동자각도(65.4%), 대사당량(70.7%) 등이 통계적으로 유의하게 높게 나타났으며(p<.05), 호흡수는 유의하지 않았다. 이상의 결과 소방용 공기호흡기의 착용은 신체에 과중한 부담을 미치는 것으로 사료된다.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.53-56
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• 2016

In this study, experiments and finite element method analysis were used to determine the autofrettage pressure that is optimal and then maximizes the cycling life of Type3 composite cylinders used in self-contained breathing apparatus. For both approaches, the cylinders were pressurized at 100, 110, ${\ldots}$, 290 % of the test pressure, respectively. The stresses were computed by the FEM analysis; while the strains of cylinders were recorded and the failure modes were monitored during the cycling test. As a result, from the good agreements between the simulations and experiments, it was concluded that at least 70 % of the test pressure should be applied as the autofrettage pressure in order to takes visible effect on the cycling life, and 160 % of the test pressure induces the maximum cycling life and the desired failure mode.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.42-47
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• 2011

Going underwater is supposed to begin with the history of human beings. At first it was confined to relatively shallow level, less than several meters by holding breath. Recently, deep level diving has been necessary for such purpose as construction, maritime salvage, military operations, research and sports by using SCUBA(self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) equipment. As one goes down into water, the pressure on the diver is increased due to water pressure with depth, usually 1 atm for each 10 m water level. In deep water, mixed gas or nitrox(EAN, enriched air nitrox) could be applied for the divers lest they should get disease due to high pressure. Of these, the former is usually composed of oxygen and inert gas like helium or hydrogen, the latter contains higher oxygen content than that in normal air in which the oxygen concentration is designated by the character "EAN" followed by vol. % of oxygen, for example, "EAN 40" contains 40% of oxygen. In this case, a victim was found at the 39 m below the sea surface breathing air and nitrox in cylinder wrongly marked as EAN 36, which was analyzed to contain 63% of oxygen by GC/TCD. The cause of death could not be exactly related with the oxygen content in the nitrox cylinder, because the accurate depth for the victim to dive was not known, even though the victim was just found at the depth of 39 m. However, the wrongly marked nitrox could be believed to be the main cause of the death at the depth unless there happened any other accident except that during diving.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.537-547
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• 2017

This study evaluates the wearing performance of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) belt for firefighters in Korea. A SCBA belt design was suggested based on the wearing evaluation of a SCBA belt; subsequently, prototypes I and II were created. A wearing evaluation of prototypes with improved design and design preference was performed. Six designs elements of the SCBA belt for firefighters were suggested based on the survey results of wearing the SCBA belt and for the SCBA belt design preference for use by firefighters. First, belt material should be made of black high-strength aramid textiles. In addition, Velcro should be used to attach and detach retroreflective and fluorescent materials along with various colors for visibility. Second, the chest belt should be made of the same material used for other parts; in addition, the chest belt should be moved to the center for center of gravity and a cobra buckle should be applied. Third, an O-ring should be applied to the back and the belt connected to the O-ring should distribute the weight in six axes. Fourth, a detachable air respirator should be able to separate by using upper and lower cobra buckles. Fifth, a separable leg belt and a detachable pocket are also suggested. Sixth, a ring for walkie-talkies, alarms and equipment as a fabric ring are also suggested. Prototype III with an improved design was created based on the results of the design suggestion.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.44-56
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• 2013

This research is to identify how much toxic combustion gases are produced from Korea standardized real fire test (Class A&B) by using Room Corner Tester (RCT) and how much those gases are possibly dangerous to testing personnel by estimating the level of carboxyhemoglobin (% COHb). It is confirmed that testing personnel can be affected as more than 40% COHb from Class A 9th and 10th rating in respiration minute volume (RMV) 2 and from Class A 5th to Class A 10th rating in RMV 3 during the time for initial three minutes. Also, in the case of Class B real fire tests, although it is considered rather safe for the initial 1 minute, testing personnel can be affected as more than 20% COHb from Class B 16th to 20th rating in RMV 3 during total test time. Currently, the Korea standard is only focusing on the protection measures against the heat, but the it is neglecting the protection measures against toxic combustion gases. Therefore, according to this study, it is strongly recommended that testing personnel should wear a self-contained breathing apparatus, or the equivalence depending on the real fire test rating.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.520-533
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• 2023

The present study developed a test protocol for evaluating the mobility of firefighting chemical and flame personal protective equipment (PPE) for the National 119 Rescue Headquarters in Korea and suggested ergonomic design factors to improve their mobility and performance. Six types of PPE were employed, including three types for flame protective PPE (5 ~ 6 kg excluding the self-contained breathing apparatus), and three types for chemical and flame protective PPE (8 ~ 11 kg). These PPEs are used by the 119 Rescue firefighters. Three male firefighters (34.3 ± 1.2 y in age, 175 ± 8 cm in height, 81 ± 13 kg in body weight) participated in the mobility test and interview. A mobility test protocol consisting of 16 components (nine postures and seven motions including a dexterity test) along with a visibility test were developed based on pre-interviews and literature reviews. The findings indicated that the clothing microclimate humidity on the neck and chest exceeded 85%RH on average for all the six PPE conditions, with the chest area reaching as high as 98%RH. This high humidity caused fogging inside the visor and impaired visibility. The requirements for improving the PPE design in terms of mobility varied depending on whether it was the separated types or all-in-one types, particularly regarding the hood and gloves design. The findings of this study can be applied to improve the design of Level A_PPE for firefighters. The mobility test protocol and visibility test developed in this study can also be applied to other types of Level A impermeable PPE.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.165-172
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• 2019

This study presents the design and manufacture of a self-contained breathing apparatus SCBA wireless communication module with a multipoint simultaneous full-duplex communication system to enable communication between team members wearing the SCBA system. It is necessary for fire-fighters to wear the SCBA system during extinguishing and rescue work at the fire site. Evaluation of the team communication module confirmed the feasibility of communication over more than 500 m in the test condition based on the line of sight. By implementing the Ad-hoc function, it was confirmed that the communication distance could be extended to 128 m by automatic routing up to 3 hoc. The vertical distance inside the building for successful communication was up to the 5th floor in the open staircase and up to the 3rd floor in the partitioned staircase. Furthermore, the performance testing of the communication module assuming a fire situation, confirmed that five team members correctly recognized the standard abbreviation of fire and wireless communication without a separate PTT key operation. In addition, the flame resistance was verified by exposing the module to a flame at 950 ± 50 ℃ for 5 s and then immediately extinguishing the flame.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.71-78
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of wearing clothes, Level B, and Level C PPE on normal CPR using mannequins. The paramedics who participated in this experiment were 20 paramedics with more than 5 years of experience in firefighting area C. It was found that chest compressions in the process that hand off time was 11.9 seconds in the uniform wearing group, 11.4 seconds in the level C PPE wearing group, and 13.1 seconds in the SCBA wearing group. In other words, wearing personal protective equipment prevents the movement of paramedics and uses compensatory movements, which may increase the difficulty of efficient first aid. If this situation persists, it may cause fatigue and damage to the body of paramedics. Rescue and paramedics should wear level personal protective equipment in case of emergencies and conduct rescue and CPR training.

• Korean Journal of Hazardous Materials
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.18-26
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• 2014

We analyzed the demand of competent authorities requiring adequate technical information for initial investigation of chemical accidents. Reflecting technical reports on chemical accident response by environmental agencies in the U.S. and Canada, we presented information on environmental diffusion and toxic effects available for the first chemical accident response. Hydrogen fluoride may have the risk potential to corrode metals and cause serious burns and eye damages. In case of inhalation or intake, it could have severe health effects. The substance itself is inflammable, but once heated, it decomposes producing corrosive and toxic fume. In case of contact with water, it can produce toxic, corrosive, flammable or explosive gases and its solution, a strong acid, may react fiercely with a base. In case of hydrogen fluoride leak, the preventive measures are to decrease steam generation in exposed sites, prevent the transfer of vapor cloud and promptly respond using inflammable substances including calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, ground limestone, dried soil, dry sand, vermiculite, fly ash and powder cement. The method for fire fighting is to suppress fire with manless hose stanchions or monitor nozzles by wearing the whole body protective clothing equipped with over-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus from distance. In case of transport accident accompanied with fire, evacuation distance is 1,600m radius. In cae of fire, fire suppression needs to be performed using dry chemicals, CO₂, water spray, water fog, and alcohol-resistance foam, etc. The major symptoms by exposure route are dyspnoea, bronchitis, chemical pneumonia and pulmonary edema for respiration, skin laceration, dermatitis, burn, frostbite and erythema for eyes, and nausea, diarrhea, stomachache, and tissue destruction for digestive organs. In atmosphere, its persistency is low, and its bioaccumulation in aquatic organism is also low.