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Investigating Wearable Sensor Placement for Heat Risk Monitoring of Firefighters: A Skin-Ear Temperature Study
W D Ruwandi Fernando1, Marianella Chamorro-Koc1, Ajay K Pandey2
1School of Design, Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia.
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Monitoring core body temperature (CBT) in firefighters using wearable sensors is crucial for preventing heat strain. The elbow is identified as a more reliable skin temperature (ST) location than the wrist for accurate heat-risk monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Wearable Technology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Heat stress poses a significant risk to firefighters, increasing the likelihood of heat-related illnesses.
- Wearable sensing technologies (WST) offer a promising method for monitoring core body temperature (CBT) to detect early signs of heat strain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between tympanic temperature (as a proxy for CBT) and skin temperature (ST) at various body locations.
- To determine the most reliable on-body sensor placement for heat-risk monitoring in conditions simulating firefighting activities.
Main Methods:
- Non-invasive temperature sensing was used to compare tympanic temperature with ST at the forehead, wrist, and elbow in 10 healthy adults.
- Participants underwent varied conditions (calm/non-calm, time of day) to simulate moderate physiological strain.
- Bland-Altman analysis and variance of differences were employed to assess sensor location reliability.
Main Results:
- The elbow demonstrated lower variability in CBT compared to the wrist, indicating greater stability for wearable sensor deployment.
- Skin temperature variability was influenced by activity state, time of day, sex, and anatomical location.
- Forehead placement was noted as potentially impractical within firefighters' gear.
Conclusions:
- The elbow emerges as a potentially more suitable location for wearable heat-risk monitoring sensors compared to the wrist, especially considering firefighter gear constraints.
- Preliminary evidence suggests that factors like activity, time of day, sex, and sensor location significantly impact temperature variability.
- Further research can inform optimal WST placement for effective heat strain management in high-risk occupations.
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Start by practicing proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
Step 2:
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Step 3:
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