Development of Contamination Resistance as a Measure for Firefighter Protective Clothing
North Carolina State University, Principal Investigator - R. Bryan Ormond
RELEVANCE
This work will fill a significant knowledge gap associated with contamination resistance measures, such as fluorinated and non-fluorinated repellent finishes, and their impacts on liquid, particulate, and chemical contamination, cleaning efficacy, and management of thermal energy in both a new and aged state.
METHODS
Turnout composites with varying constructions and repellency treatments will be subjected to aging through UV and laundering. Both new and aged composites will be realistically contaminated with smoke and chemicals in the Fireground Exposure Simulator. To determine performance trade-offs, clean and contaminated composites will be evaluated for the ability to resist chemical and particulate contamination, cleaning efficacy, thermal protection from convective and radiant heat, and impact of radiant load on total heat loss.
ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES
This research will provide an independent and thorough evaluation of the impacts that contamination resistance measures have on turnout performance and firefighter exposures to contaminants. The research findings will inform the NFPA 1971 and 1851 standards during their revision processes, and it will allow firefighters to conduct their own assessments of risk associated with potential trade-offs.