Thermal Environment for Electronic Equipment Used by First Responders.
Thermal Environment for Electronic Equipment Used by
First Responders.
(1724 K)
Donnelly, M. K.; Davis, W. D.; Lawson, J. R.; Selepak,
M.
NIST TN 1474; NIST Technical Note 1474; 41 p. January
2006.
Sponsor:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC
Keywords:
electronic equipment; thermal environment; first
responders; fire fighters; protective clothing; burns
(injuries); heat flux; sensors; temperature
measurements; test methods; thermal properties; PASS;
gas detectors; standards; specifications
Abstract:
The increased use of electronic equipment by emergency
responders where that equipment may be repeatedly
exposed to elevated temperature, humidity and smoke
conditions requires an examination of current
manufacturing tests and standards used to certify this
equipment. This paper provides a review of the current
equipment standards for electronic equipment used by
firefighters and other first responders. A thermal
classification method is developed based on the
protective characteristics of firefighter turn-out gear
that should serve as the basis for developing thermal
standards for electronic devices used by first
responders. The Fire Equipment Evaluator (FEE) that was
constructed to investigate the performance of electronic
equipment in simulated fire conditions will be
described. Results of testing the Personal Alert Safety
System (PASS) are presented along with recommendations
for revised standards for PASS.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899