Thermal manikin measurements--exact or not?

Area of Science:

• Textile Science
• Thermal Physiology
• Ergonomics

Background:

• The European prestandard ENV 342:1998 outlines thermal manikin testing for cold-protective clothing insulation.
• Limited systematic studies exist on the reproducibility of these measurements across different laboratories and clothing types.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the reproducibility of thermal insulation measurements using thermal manikins.
• To identify factors influencing the accuracy and reliability of these tests.

Main Methods:

• Over 300 measurements were conducted using both standing and walking thermal manikins.
• Eight different European laboratories participated in the study.
• Various types of cold-protective clothing were tested.

Main Results:

• Good overall reproducibility was observed, with a coefficient of variation below 8%.
• Precise fit of clothing on the manikin is essential; poor fit introduced errors.
• Excellent correlation was found between parallel and serial insulation values, with parallel values being ~20% lower.
• Air velocity was the critical ambient condition affecting results.
• Intra-laboratory reproducibility was very good, with variation below 3%.

Conclusions:

• Thermal manikin testing for cold-protective clothing insulation demonstrates good reproducibility.
• Accurate clothing fit and controlled air velocity are critical for reliable thermal insulation data.
• The findings support the use of thermal manikins for standardized cold-protective clothing evaluation.