- Author
- Brown, W. A.
- Title
- Initial Production Test of the Protective Outfit, Toxicological, Microclimate Controlled (POTMC) for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Personnel. Final Report. April l978 - June l980.
- Coporate
- Army Dugway Proving Ground, Dugway, UT
- Report
- TECOM-8-EI-825000029; DPG-FR-78202, June 1980, 88 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service.
- Keywords
- breathing apparatus | protective clothing | solar radiation
- Abstract
- The objective of this test was to determine if the first article POTMC ensembles met the evaluation criteria. Test items were receipt inspected and subjected to flash/flame resistance, solar radiation reflectivity, and helmet viewing area tests. In addition, 229 two-hour wearing trials were performed to determine mission reliability and maintainability. All of the evaluation criteria were met except the following: (1.) The horizontal viewing area of the helmet was 171 deg. instead of the required 180 deg. (2.) A large majority of the test participants could not don the POTM without assistance and (3.) An additional air inlet value cover is required when the POTMC is used in the umbilical-hose mode. The inner or outer zipper on eight of 13 butyl rubber suits broke. Breakage occurred during donning or doffing and, therefore, did not cause a loss of protection to the suit-wearer. Due to the high frequency of breakage, however, the double-zipper configuration was considered unsatisfactory.