Thermal Environments of Structural Fire Fighting and Thermal Tests for Firefighters' Protective Clothing.
Thermal Environments of Structural Fire Fighting and
Thermal Tests for Firefighters' Protective Clothing.
(107 K)
Lawson, J. R.
Fire Research and Engineering, Second (2nd)
International Conference. (ICFRE2). Proceedings.
ABSTRACTS ONLY. National Institute of Standards and
Technology and Society of Fire Protection Engineers.
August 10-15, 1997, Gaithersburg, MD, Slaughter, K. C.,
Editor(s), 74-74 pp, 1997.
Keywords:
fire research; fire protection engineering; protective
clothing; fire fighters; fire fighting; fire load; burns
(injuries)
Abstract:
[ABSTRACT ONLY]
Fire loads have significantly increased in homes and
businesses since the 1940's. In addition, heat release
rates of furnishings and contents have also experienced
significant increases. Building construction has
produced more highly insulated structures with greater
amounts of thermal insulation. All of these factors
have affected the way that fire grows in structures, and
it has added new challenges for the fire service. With
these new fire challenges, there have also been
significant improvements in firefighters' protective
clothing and equipment. The SCBA (Self-Contained
Breathing Apparatus) has become a standard piece of
protective equipment. This paper discusses the related
factors of structural fire fighting thermal
environments, causes of firefighter burn injuries and
thermal performance testing of firefighters' protective
clothing.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899