Research Projects


New Basis for Evaluation Heat Strain of Firefighting Gear- North Carolina State lead

Summary

Funding provided by: North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University's (NCSU) Textile Protection And Comfort Center (TPACC) has been awarded a Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) Research & Development grant to study an improved technical basis for rating the heat strain performance of firefighter turnout suit. There is a need to study the current NFPA 1971 heat strain requirements to determine how well they account for the range of use conditions and environments encountered by structural firefighters, such as dynamic firefighting operations and different ambient conditions. The NFPA 1971 Technical Committee has identified the need for scientifically based qualification of THL and Ret indexes for rating the breathability of turnout materials.

IFSI Research is partnering with NCSU to review data from laboratory and live-fire experiments in relation to the current requirements as well as to determine work rates associated with fire suppression, venting, and overhaul.

For more information on NCSU's TPACC and their related projects, please visit https://textiles.ncsu.edu/tpacc/

 

 

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