Protective clothing research in the National Research Council of Canada's Fire Risk Management Program

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Protective clothing research in the National Research Council of Canada's Fire Risk Management Program

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Torvi, D.A.; Hadjisophocleous, G.V.

A version of this paper is published in / Une version de ce document se trouve dans :

InFIRE Conference 2000, Ottawa, Ontario, May 2000, pp. 1-39

www.nrc.ca/irc/ircpubs

(3)

David Torvi, Ph.D., P.Eng. and George Hadjisophocleous, Ph.D., P.Eng. Research Officer and Senior Research Officer

Fire Risk Management Program Institute for Research in Construction National Research Council of Canada

The Fire Risk Management Program, part of the National Research Council’s (NRC’s) Institute for Research in Construction, is a multi-disciplinary team of engineers, physicists, chemists and environmental psychologists. This team is committed to

developing effective solutions for reducing the high cost of fire and its negative impact on the Canadian economy and quality of life. The two main goals of the program are: • to develop computer models to assess fire risks in buildings to lower construction

costs while maintaining fire safety and providing support for performance and objective-based building codes; and

• to develop cost-effective fire-control systems in the fields of structural fire protection, fire barriers and water-based fire suppression.

Recently, the Fire Risk Management Program began a research project to develop improved methods of estimating the useful lifetime of firefighters’ protective clothing. Firefighters are interested in the performance of their clothing over its entire lifetime, and are very interested in when they should retire their turnout gear. Currently, most

guidelines for the retirement of protective clothing are based ass4andtyis qued spotectisg. improremengs tf tseto t f m i u p p r n m e n u c t i o n a r e s e a r c b e l d i n g n r e d i t t e d t o d e v e l o ( i m p r o v e ( g u i d e l i n e s f o p ) T j -3 6 -1 4 . 2 5 T D -0 4 0 . 9 4 T c 3 0 . 1 7 6 T w t h e r e t i r e m e n t o f f i r e f i g h t e r s ’ p r o t e c t i v e c l o t h i w i l l c b e i -d i u a s d . . T s e e ( g u i d e l i n e w i l l g . ) T j 0 -1 3 . 5 T D -0 5 7 7 1 T c 0 . 7 3 6 T w b a r e b a s e d a i n e r f o r u c t i o i n t h e p e r f o r m a n c e o f t u r n o u t g e n e g h n t e s e d r o m i n t h u a l e r a f t e , t o ) T j T * -0 7 0 6 6 T c 0 2 2 1 5 6 T w ( f i e o f u d i e e r s a n l a b o r a f o n a r y s m a t i f e . V a r i l e o f m p a o t e r t h a t a -e f f e i n t h u a l i f e t i m e o f t u r n o s t ) T j 0 -1 4 . 2 5 T D -0 0 2 9 4 T c 6 3 9 9 1 5 T w g e m e n c l u i l d i n l a u n d e r l d i n 2 p c r e r e e r s a n a m u l a n d t e x p o s e r e e r d t e h i g h e a t f l u x e e r f o p

Daolet ranaductionwillcbe r coguirsd.. o fmpiual wain ths4andmnmenuctils of tseto g u i d e l i n m e , o p c o m p u t e r -b a s e 2 p r o t e c t i v e c l o t h i a m M n a g e m e n l s y s t n , i s l s o c b e l d i o p

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Council Canada

Council Canada de recherchesde recherches Canada Canada

Canada Canada

David Torvi, Ph.D., P.Eng.

George Hadjisophocleous, Ph.D., P.Eng. Fire Risk Management Program

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Out line

❐

heat transfer models

❐

test standard development

❐

durability research

❐

heat transfer models

❐

test standard development

(6)

I ndust ria l Ex pe rie nc e

❐

Design Engineer - Engineered Air

• commercial & industrial HVAC equipment

❐

Design Engineer - Engineered Air

(7)

U nive rsit y of Albe rt a 1

U nive rsit y of Albe rt a 1 9 9 0 -9 6

9 9 0 -9 6

U nive rsit y of A

U nive rsit y of Albe rt a 1 9 9 0 -9 6

lbe rt a 1 9 9 0 -9 6

❐ heat transfer: • numerical

• experimental

❐ test standard development

❐ heat transfer:

• numerical

• experimental

(8)

Fire Risk M a na ge m e nt Progra m

❐ main lab on NRC’s Montreal Rd. campus

(9)

Re se a rc h for t he Fire Se rvic e s

❒ fire statistics ❒ protective clothing ❒ water requirements ❒ positive pressure ventilation ❒ fire department tools ❒ fire statistics ❒ protective clothing ❒ water requirements ❒ positive pressure ventilation ❒ fire department tools

(10)

T he rm a l M a

T he rm a l M a nne quin T e st s

nne quin T e st s

T he rm a l M a nne quin T e st s

❐ limited facilities in North America: • University of Alberta • North Carolina State University • DuPont Advanced Fibers ❐ limited facilities in North America: • University of Alberta • North Carolina State University • DuPont Advanced Fibers

(11)

Be n

Be nc h T op T e st s

c h T op T e st s

Be nc h T op T e st s

• NFPA, CGSB, ASTM, ISO test standards

(12)

Be nc h T op T e st Appa ra t us

Insulating Block δ q rad conv q

q _conv q _rad_rad

Test Sensor fabric specimen holder x x=Lb x=Ls x=Lf x=0

(13)

H e a t T ra nsfe r

H e a t T ra nsfe r M ode l of

M ode l of

Fa bric -Cove re d

Fa bric -Cove re d Sk in

Sk in

H e a t T ra nsfe r M o

H e a t T ra nsfe r M ode l of

de l of

Fa bric -Cove re d Sk i

Fa bric -Cove re d Sk in

n

❐ calculates temperatures of flame resistant

fabrics and skin (or test sensor) during a simulated flash fire

❐ predicts times required to produce second

and third degree burns

❐ applications include:

• fabric design

• explanation of test results

❐ calculates temperatures of flame resistant

fabrics and skin (or test sensor) during a simulated flash fire

❐ predicts times required to produce second

and third degree burns

❐ applications include:

• fabric design

(14)

Pre dic t e d a nd M e a sure d

N om e x

N om e x ® I I I A Fa bric T e m pe ra t ure s

® I I I A Fa bric T e m pe ra t ure s

Pre dic t e d a nd M e a sure d

N om e x

(15)

Pre dic t e d a nd M e a sure d

N om e x

N om e x ® I I I A T e st Re sult s

® I I I A T e st Re sult s

Pre dic t e d a nd M e a sure d

N om e x

(16)

Re sult s of M ode l

❐ predicts absolute fabric temperatures

within 4% of measured values

❐ predicts bench top test results within 6%

of actual test results

❐ quantified effects of thermal properties on

fabric performance

❐ quantified modes of energy transfer in air

gaps

❐ predicts absolute fabric temperatures

within 4% of measured values

❐ predicts bench top test results within 6%

of actual test results

❐ quantified effects of thermal properties on

fabric performance

❐ quantified modes of energy transfer in air

(17)

T e st St a nda rd

T e st St a nda rd De ve lopm e nt

De ve lopm e nt

T e st St a nda rd De ve lopm e nt

❐

ASTM, ISO, CGSB, NFPA

❐

Issues in Test Standard Development

• incident heat flux = ?

• exposure time = ?

• test sensor design

• data analysis

❐

ASTM, ISO, CGSB, NFPA

❐

Issues in Test Standard Development

• incident heat flux = ?

• exposure time = ?

• test sensor design

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I nc ide nt H e a t Flux

❐

Fabrics typically tested using heat

flux of 80 kW/m

2

❐

How do heat fluxes used in bench

top and thermal mannequin tests

compare with those in the field?

❐

Fabrics typically tested using heat

flux of 80 kW/m

2

❐

How do heat fluxes used in bench

top and thermal mannequin tests

compare with those in the field?

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I nc ide nt H e a t Flux

(20)

I nc ide nt H e a t Flux (

I nc ide nt H e a t Flux (c ont

c ont

c ont ....))))

I nc ide nt H e a t Flux (

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I nc ide nt H e a t Flux

((((c ontc ontc ontc ont .).).).)

I nc ide nt H e a t Flux

((((c ontc ontc ontc ont .).).).)

Source Heat Flux

(kW/m2) Test Standards 80 HFOG III 170 Simulated mine explosions 130-330 JP-4 Fuel Fires 167-226

(22)

Ex posure T im e

❐ most test methods evaluate performance

of fabrics/ garments during short term exposure to high heat flux (< 20 s)

❐ skin burns can occur well after an

exposure to a high heat flux

❐ “stored energy” fabric tests would be

useful

❐ most test methods evaluate performance

of fabrics/ garments during short term exposure to high heat flux (< 20 s)

❐ skin burns can occur well after an

exposure to a high heat flux

❐ “stored energy” fabric tests would be

(23)

T e st Se nsor De si

T e st Se nsor De sign

gn

T e st Se nsor De sign

❐

copper disks heat flux gauges

❐

skin simulant heat flux gauges

❐

copper disks heat flux gauges

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U

U LC St e e ring Com m it t e e on

LC St e e ring Com m it t e e on

Re se a rc

Re se a rc h for t he Fire Se rvic e s

h for t he Fire Se rvic e s

U LC St e e ri

U LC St e e ring Com m it t e e on

ng Com m it t e e on

Re se a rc h for t he

Re se a rc h for t he Fire Se rvic e s

Fire Se rvic e s

❐ Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada

(ULC)

❐ survey of Canadian fire departments

❐ identified research topics of primary

interest

❐ #1 topic - durability of protective

clothing

❐ Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada

(ULC)

❐ survey of Canadian fire departments

❐ identified research topics of primary

interest

❐ #1 topic - durability of protective

(25)

Re se a rc h N e e ds in

Re se a rc h N e e ds in Prot e c t ive

Prot e c t ive

Clot hing for Fire Fight e r

Clot hing for Fire Fight e rs

s

Re se a rc h N e e ds in Prot e c t ive

Clot hing for Fire Fight e rs

❐ Institute for Research in Construction

Internal Report No. 751

❐ summary of protective clothing research

• fire fighting, fire research and textile science literature

• information from researchers,

manufacturers and test standard committees

❐ Institute for Research in Construction

Internal Report No. 751

❐ summary of protective clothing research

• fire fighting, fire research and textile

science literature

• information from researchers,

manufacturers and test standard committees

(26)

Re se a r

Re se a rc h N e e ds in Prot e c t ive

c h N e e ds in Prot e c t ive

Clot hin

Clot hing for Fire Fight e rs

g for Fire Fight e rs

((((c ontc ontc ont .)c ont.).).)

Re se a rc h N e e

Re se a rc h N e e ds in Prot e c t ive

ds in Prot e c t ive

Clot hing

Clot hing for Fire Fight e rs

for Fire Fight e rs

((((c ontc ontc ont .)c ont.).).)

❐ durability

❐ moisture transfer & steam burns

❐ physiological issues

❐ garment design

❐ chemical hazard protective clothing

❐ heat transfer modelling

❐ durability

❐ moisture transfer & steam burns

❐ physiological issues

❐ garment design

❐ chemical hazard protective clothing

(27)

Prot e c t ive C

Prot e c t ive Clot hing

lot hing

Dura bilit y Re

Dura bilit y Re se a rc h

se a rc h

Prot e c t ive Clot hing

D

Dura bilit y Re se a rc h

ura bilit y Re se a rc h

❐ When do I replace my protective clothing?

• test standards are for new clothing

• some degradation is difficult to detect • length of service is not sufficient to

describe condition of garments

❐ Why should we replace your protective

clothing?

❐ When do I replace my protective clothing?

• test standards are for new clothing

• some degradation is difficult to detect

• length of service is not sufficient to

describe condition of garments

❐ Why should we replace your protective

(28)

N RC

N RC Prot e c t ive Clot hing

Prot e c t ive Clot hing

Dur

Dura bilit y Re se a rc h Progra

a bilit y Re se a rc h Progra

a bilit y Re se a rc h Progra m

m

N RC Prot e c t ive Clot hin

N RC Prot e c t ive Clot hing

g

Dura bilit y Re se a rc h

Dura bilit y Re se a rc h Progra m

Progra m

❐ develop tools for estimating the useful

lifetime of thermal protective clothing for fire fighters

• improved guidelines for retirement of

turnout gear (ULC Task Group)

• protective clothing management system

❐ develop tools for estimating the useful

lifetime of thermal protective clothing for fire fighters

• improved guidelines for retirement of

turnout gear (ULC Task Group)

(29)

N RC Re se a rc h Pro

N RC Re se a rc h Proje c t Pla n

je c t Pla n

N RC Re se a rc h Pr

N RC Re se a rc h Proje c t Pla n

oje c t Pla n

1.

review literature

2. prepare guidelines for retirement of protective clothing

3. develop protective clothing management system

4. conduct laboratory tests

5. conduct protective clothing field studies

1.

review literature

2. prepare guidelines for retirement of

protective clothing

3. develop protective clothing management

system

4. conduct laboratory tests

(30)

1 . Lit e ra t ure Re vie

1 . Lit e ra t ure Re vie w

w

1 . Lit e ra t ure Re vie w

❐ fire fighting, fire research and textile

❐ other fields of engineering interested

in durability

❐ information from researchers,

manufacturers and test standard committees

❐ fire fighting, fire research and textile

❐ other fields of engineering interested

in durability

❐ information from researchers,

manufacturers and test standard committees

(31)

1 . Lit e ra t ure Re vie w (

1 . Lit e ra t ure Re vie w (c ont

c ont

c ont .)

.)

1 . Lit e ra t ure Re vie w (

1 . Lit e ra t ure Re vie w (c ont

c ont

c ont .)

.)

❐ user manuals

❐ studies of effects of individual factors

on durability

❐ studies of used turnout gear

❐ national and international standards

❐ user manuals

❐ studies of effects of individual factors

on durability

❐ studies of used turnout gear

(32)

2 . Prot e c t ive Clot hing

Re t ire

Re t ire m e nt Guide line s

m e nt Guide line s

2 . Prot e c t i

2 . Prot e c t ive Clot hing

ve Clot hing

Re t ire m e nt Gui

Re t ire m e nt Guide line s

de line s

❐

ULC task group

• fire service

• protective clothing industry

• CGSB

• University of Alberta

• NRC

❐

First meeting February 12, 1999

• research and industry presentations

• first draft of guidelines discussed

❐

ULC task group

• fire service

• protective clothing industry

• CGSB

• University of Alberta

• NRC

❐

First meeting February 12, 1999

• research and industry presentations

(33)

2 . Prot e c t ive Clot hin

2 . Prot e c t ive Clot hing

g

Re t ire m e nt Guide line s

2 .

2 . Prot e c t ive Clot hing

Prot e c t ive Clot hing

Re t ire m e nt

Re t ire m e nt Guide line s

Guide line s

❐

guidelines to be used with:

• visual inspections

• appropriate field tests

• laboratory performance tests

• careful records of service

❐

guidelines to be used with:

• visual inspections

• appropriate field tests

• laboratory performance tests

(34)

2 . Prot e c t ive

2 . Prot e c t ive Clot hing

Clot hing

Re t ire m e nt Gui

Re t ire m e nt Guide line s

de line s

2 . Prot e c t ive Clot hin

2 . Prot e c t ive Clot hing

g

Re t ire m e nt Guide line s

❐

guidelines include:

• background information

• inspection procedures:

• firefighter - regular

• inspector - scheduled intervals

• retirement criteria

• tools/models for estimating remaining

lifetime of garments

• sample forms for record-keeping

❐

guidelines include:

• background information

• inspection procedures:

• firefighter - regular

• inspector - scheduled intervals

• retirement criteria

• tools/models for estimating remaining

lifetime of garments

(35)

3 . Prot e c t ive C

3 . Prot e c t ive Clot hing

lot hing

M a na ge m e nt Syst e m

3 . Prot e c t ive Clot hing

M a na ge m e nt Syst e m

❐ computer or paper-based system to track

personnel and protective clothing • # fires attended and their severity

• cleaning, maintenance and repairs

• assist in determining when to retire

garments

❐ provide information for research project

❐ link with other tools and databases

❐ computer or paper-based system to track

personnel and protective clothing

• # fires attended and their severity

• cleaning, maintenance and repairs

• assist in determining when to retire

garments

❐ provide information for research project

(36)

(37)

(38)

4 .

4 . La bora t ory T e st ing

La bora t ory T e st ing

4 . La bora t ory T e st ing

❐ research to quantify effects of individual

factors on durability

• test fabrics/garments subjected to

controlled lab conditions

• test fabrics/garments from the field

❐ collaborative work with universities,

testing labs and other research institutes

❐ information will be used in guidelines and

protective clothing management system

❐ research to quantify effects of individual

factors on durability

• test fabrics/garments subjected to

controlled lab conditions

• test fabrics/garments from the field

❐ collaborative work with universities,

testing labs and other research institutes

❐ information will be used in guidelines and

(39)

5 .

5 . Prot e c t ive Clot hing Fie ld

Prot e c t ive Clot hing Fie ld

St udie s

5 . Prot e c t ive Clot

5 . Prot e c t ive Clot hing Fie ld

hing Fie ld

St udie s

❐ use NRC or other protective clothing

management system to gather field data on use of garments over their entire

lifetime

• important factors that affect durability

• information on garments to be tested

❐ incorporate results in guidelines and

protective clothing management system

❐ use NRC or other protective clothing

management system to gather field data on use of garments over their entire