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3D Numerical Simulation for Thermal Protection of Phase Change Material-Integrated Firefighters' Turnout Gear
Susan S Xu1, Jonisha Pollard1, Weihuan Zhao2
1National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, USA.
Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics Conference
|October 7, 2024
Summary
Phase change material (PCM) integrated into firefighter gear significantly enhances thermal protection. Thin PCM segments (1.0-3.0 mm) with a 60°C melting point can triple protection time against burns during fires.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Fire Safety Engineering
Background:
- Firefighters face severe thermal burn risks from high-heat environments.
- Existing turnout gear offers limited protection against extreme heat exposure.
- Novel materials are needed to improve firefighter safety and reduce injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate phase change material (PCM) integration in firefighters' turnout gear.
- To enhance thermal protection and reduce burn injury risk.
- To develop next-generation firefighter protective equipment.
Main Methods:
- Development of a 3D human thermal simulation model.
- Integration of phase change material (PCM) segments into simulated turnout gear.
- Analysis of thermal protection under simulated flashover and hazardous fire conditions.
Main Results:
- 3.0-mm-thick PCM segments (60°C melting point) extended skin protection time by 1-3 times under flashover conditions.
- Thinner PCM segments (1.0-3.0 mm) effectively mitigated skin temperature increase.
- PCM integration significantly improved thermal protection without substantial weight increase.
Conclusions:
- PCM-integrated turnout gear offers a viable solution for enhanced firefighter thermal protection.
- Optimized PCM thickness and melting point are crucial for effective heat management.
- Simulation results provide a foundation for developing advanced firefighter protective gear.
