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PUBLICATIONS

Measurement Techniques for Low Heat Flux Exposures to Fire Fighters Protective Clothing

Published

Author(s)

R Vettori, W H. Twilley, D W. Stroup

Abstract

A series of experiments were conducted to investigate measurement technologies that are necessary and appropriate for evaluating the thermal performance of fire fighter protective clothing under low heat flux (≤5.0 kW/m2) exposure conditions and for relatively long periods of time, up to 10 min. The 19 sensors were tested in six different configurations and exposed to three different levels of heat flux from a natural-gas fired radiant panel. The 6 different configurations were; (1) the sensor exposed to the radiant panel with no contact with anything other than the wires transmitting the sensor output signal, (2) the sensor mounted on a substrate such that the surface of the sensor is flush with the surface of the substrate and exposed to the radiant panel, (3) a section of fire fighter protective clothing is placed between the sensor and the radiant panel, the sensor is touching the back of the material, (4) a section of fire fighter protective clothing is placed between the sensor and the radiant panel, the sensor is placed 6 mm (0.25 in) behind the material, (5) a section of fire fighter protective clothing is placed between the sensor and the radiant panel, the sensor is mounted on the substrate and touching the back of the material, (6) a section of fire fighter protective clothing is placed between the sensor and the radiant panel, the sensor is mounted on the substrate and placed 6 mm (0.25 in) behind the material. The three levels of heat flux were 1.2 kW/m2, 2.5 kW/m2, and 5.0 kW/m2. For a given configuration, there was a significant difference in the recorded measurement of heat flux and temperature. All sensors were affected by mounting them on the substrate. Based on the results from this experimental series the Schmidt-Boelter total heat flux gauge was deemed the most appropriate for measuring incident heat flux. For measuring the surface temperature of a fabric, the use of a thermal pad, made of a material with a high thermal condu
Citation
NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 6750
Report Number
6750
NIST Pub Series
NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)
Pub Type
NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.6750

Keywords

burns, fire fighters, fire research, heat flux, protective clothing, sensors, temperature measuring instruments, temperature measurements, test methods
Buildings and Construction and Fire

Citation

Vettori, R. , Twilley, W. and Stroup, D. (2001), Measurement Techniques for Low Heat Flux Exposures to Fire Fighters Protective Clothing, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.6750 (Accessed May 30, 2025)

Issues

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Created June 1, 2001, Updated November 10, 2018