• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.382-390
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• 2012

This study shows the optimum attachment of Two-Way Shape Memory Alloy (TWSMA) springs onto thermal liner and its sewing method for the mass production of fire fighter's intelligent turnout gear. SMA springs were attached to the fabric by four different methods and stitched by two different shapes (square and wave). The durability of the attached springs was tested by laundering up to 50 cycles. Examined were whether the springs would remain attached to the fabric after repeated laundering, the shape memory effect and reaction of the springs, and the anti-corrosiveness of the springs. A Human-Clothing-Environment simulator evaluated thermal insulation according to attachment methods, air layer volume, and stitch types. The findings showed that silicon attached springs remained intact after repeated laundering; in addition, repeated laundering did not influence the responsiveness and anti-corrosiveness of SMAs. Air volume had positive relations with the insulation. Attachment methods or stitch methods had limited impact on the thermal insulation. As a result, a wave type stitch with silicone attachment was suggested as the optimum method to attach the SMA springs onto the intelligent turnout gear for fire fighters.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.37 no.12 s.142
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• pp.59-67
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• 1999

This study analyzed firefighter's actual wearing condition of turnout gear The results are as fellows: 1. When a firefighter is employed, Korea applies only the minimum of firefighters stature and weight but America applies both the minimum and the maximum. The choice of size is highly related with stature more than chest circumference. 2. The satisfaction degree of thermal barrier is very low, 3%. They used rubber gloves rather than heatproof gloves. This is more serious in small country like 'up', 'myun' than in cities. For laundering, they used sprinkling method with firefighting hose. Firefigthers hoped that their clothes could be classified tv the seasons and fire places. 3. frefighter had high unsatisfaction with the movement of hands and leges in the aspect of movement adjustability, air permeability, weight, body temperature regulation, and breathing in the hygenic aspect, fire resistance, thermal resistance property, water proof, chemical reactivity and electrical conductivity. Thev were also unsatisfied with water proof boots and gloves. They were generally satisfied with helmets but firefighters over 90kg of weight were rather unsatisfied. 4. The satisfaction degree for physical fitness was very low and the items with which they were not satisfied depend on physical features. 5. To develop turnout gear, they wanted changes in design, material and size. Reflection tape need to be replaced with high quality products and they wanted the use of velcro and zipper in fastening system.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.72-77
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• 2011

This study aims to provide fundamental information required to establish an efficient maintenance and management system for fire fighting clothing which takes into account the domestic fire protection environment and situation. There aren't any detailed regulations and appropriate pre-inspection systems which would be required for proper maintenance of fire fighting clothing, as well as any test methods to determine the life spans of fire fighting clothing properly. Thus, this study tries to analyze the problems in use of fire fighting clothing and its maintenance situation and summarize overseas maintenance situation for fire fighting clothing. As a result, it is found that domestic fire fighting clothing is washed, repaired, and stored without any systematic management regulations. It is also found that the life spans of fire fighting clothing are determined, based on part of overseas management regulations on fire fighting clothing. Therefore, it is imperative to set up efficient management regulations and test methods for fire fighting clothing which would be required for efficient use of the fire fighting budgets and the life safety of fire fighters.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.97-103
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• 2014

To ensure adequate protection from the risk of burns, fire fighter's turnout has a composite of more than three components and air gaps between layers of materials. During the flame exposure, radiation and convection heat transfer occurs in the air gap, thus the air gap acts as a thermal resistance with non-linear characteristics. Therefore, in this study, the experiments were performed to identify the effect of various air gap width (0~7 mm) on the thermal protective performance of fire fighter's clothing. The temperatures on each layer and RPP (Radiant Protective Performance, the most effective index representing the thermal protective performance) were measured with various incident radiant heat fluxes. The temperature at the rear surface of the garment decreased and RPP increased with increasing air gap width because the thermal resistance increased. Especially, it could be found that RPP value and air gap width has almost linear relation for the constant incident heat flux conditions. Thus relatively simple RPP predictive equation was suggested for various incident heat flux and air gap conditions.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.209-219
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• 2019

This study analyzed and compared wearer mobility for different types of clothing that also included the potential to develop firefighter station uniforms using range of motion (ROM) and electromyography (EMG). This study focused on a comparison of wearer mobility affected by different materials and shapes of the station uniforms worn under firefighter turnout gear. Japanese standard uniform (UNI), stretch-wear (ST), and compression-wear (CP) were used as station uniforms for the experiment. This study analyzed wearer movements and quantified ROM and EMG. In addition, the subjective evaluation of wearer mobility and comfort were assessed for comparisons. Nine healthy male students participated in the experiment. Wearer mobility was analyzed using ROM and EMG data obtained by measuring five motions; in addition, subjective evaluations were also obtained. As compared with the standard station uniform, ROM increased 6.8 % and 7.2 % due to stretch-wear and compression-wear. The benefits of wearing stretch material or compression material to improve muscle performance (such as reduced percent of maximum voluntary contraction) were not proven. Differences between materials and designs influenced subjective wearer comfort. In particular, the wearing of compression materials was shown best in terms of wearer comfort that may also allow greater wearer mobility.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.319-325
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• 2015

While the conventional personal protective equipments (PPEs) covers a variety of devices and garments such as respirators, turnout gear, gloves, blankets and gas masks, several electronic devices such as personal alert safety system (PASS) and heads-up displays in the facepiece have become a part of firefighters personal protective equipments through past several years. Furthermore, more advanced electronic sensors including location traking sensor, thermal imaging caerma, toxic gas detectors, and even physiological monitoring sensors are being integrated into ensemble elements for better protection of firefighters from fire sites. Despite any electronic equipment placed on the firefighter must withstand environmental extremes and continue to properly function under any thermal conditions that firefighters routinely face, there are no specific criteria for these electronics to define functionability of these devices under given thermal conditions. Although manufacturers provide the specifications and performance guidelines for their products, their operation guidelines hardly match the real thermal conditions. Present study overviews firefighter's fatalities and thermal conditions that firefighters and their equipments face. Lastly, thermal packaging methods that we have developed and tested are introduced.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.509-516
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• 2020

Background: Meta-analyses have shown firefighters to be at an increased risk of several cancer types. Occupational carcinogen exposure may explain these increased risks. This study aims to describe Norwegian fire departments' work conditions from 1950 until today, focusing on factors relevant for potential occupational carcinogen exposure. Methods: With the help of a reference group, we developed a questionnaire on topics related to occupational exposure to carcinogens for the period 1950-2018. Selected Norwegian fire departments provided department-specific responses. Results: Sixteen departments, providing fire services for 48% of the Norwegian population as of 2019 and mainly consisting of professional firefighters, responded to our questionnaire. The introduction of synthetic firefighting foams, more regular live fire training, the introduction of chemical diving, and a higher number of diesel-driven fire service vehicles were identified as changes thought to increase exposure to occupational carcinogens. Changes thought to decrease exposure included the switch from negative to positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatuses, the use of self-contained breathing apparatuses during all phases of firefighting, the use of ventilating fans during firefighting, increased attention to flammable materials used during live fire training, increased attention to handling and cleaning of turnout gear and other equipment, and installment of exhaust removal systems in apparatus bays. Conclusion: Norwegian fire departments' work conditions have seen several changes since 1950, and this could influence firefighters' occupational carcinogen exposure. A peak of carcinogen exposure may have occurred in the 1970s and 1980s before recent changes have reduced exposure.