Abstract
Aim: The purpose of this article is to determine the protection parameters of the upper layer of a firefighting suit, by taking account of potential contamination of clothing and increased oxygen concentration in the local environment. The article is concerned with the determination of an oxygen index, with the support of laboratory test data, which identifies the burning behaviour and effectiveness of flame resistant clothing.
Introduction: A firefighting suit is designed to maximise the protection of firefighters engaged in emergency operations. For this reason materials used in the manufacture of protection clothing are being continuously improved. Current testing methods are used to determine protection parameters for clothing used in routine firefighting, rescue work and emergency interventions. However, these testing methods do not take account of issues associated with potential contamination of clothing re-used after prior interventions or used in exceptional circumstances. In the case of latter, an illustrative incident may include a situation where the immediate environment is exposed to an increased concentration of oxygen, caused by the leakage of liquefied oxygen. In such circumstances, more attention is necessary to the protection of operational firefighters, who usually wear standard firefighting suits. This article describes the results of laboratory tests that allow a better understanding of the risks.
Methodology: The current article deals with experiments conducted on specific materials used in the manufacture of firefighting suits, in accordance with established testing standards used for evaluation protective clothing, which are exposed to a source of radiant heat, using established methods for determining the transmission of heat after exposure to flames. Laboratory measurements were made with the aid of instruments used for the determination of an oxygen index at an ambient temperature according to the standard ČSN ISO 4589-2, and further at higher temperatures according to the standard ČSN ISO 4589-3. The Oxygen Index is, perhaps, the most economical and precise quality control test of combustible materials. This test is determined by the minimum percentage of oxygen in the test atmosphere that is required to marginally support combustion.
Conclusions: Experiment results reveal that after contamination of firefighting suits with oil or lubricating grease, the upper layer of the suit can burn if a flame is applied to the contaminated area. At the next stage it will be appropriate to focus on the behaviour of firefighting suits at higher temperatures. At increased temperatures, the value of oxygen concentration necessary for ignition is very low. Thermal analysis experiments were conducted with increased oxygen concentrations It was revealed that in an environment with increased oxygen concentration, even a clean firefighting suit is not a safety guarantee.
Keywords: firefighting suit, oxygen index, suit contamination
Type of article: original scientific article