- Author
-
Veghte, J. H.
|
Annis, J. F.
- Title
- Physiologic Field Evaluation of Hazardous Materials Protective Ensembles. Final Report. Task 4.
- Coporate
- Biotherm, Inc., Beavercreek, OH
Anthropology Research Project, Yellow Springs, OH
- Sponsor
- Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, DC
- Report
-
FA-109
September 1991
54 p.
- Contract
- EMW-85-C-2130
- Keywords
-
protective clothing
|
hazardous materials
|
fire fighters
|
fire tests
|
climate
|
blood pressure
- Abstract
- Five experienced hazardous material (HAZMAT) fire fighters participated in field tests at each of four cities to evaluate three HAZMAT protective ensembles. The climatic conditions for these field studies were hot/dry (102 deg to 108 deg F), hot/wet (86 deg to 93 deg F), comfortable (70 deg to 81 deg F) and cold (42 deg to 45 deg F). Each fire fighter served as his own control and wore a specific HAZMAT protective ensemble once a day for three days. Each test involved an operationally relevant 45 min work session during a total test duration of 55 mins. Rectal temperature (TR), heart rates (HR), blood pressures, respiration rates, clothed weights and climatic parameters were recorded before and after each test. Test results show average TR, HR and sweat losses increased to 101.4 deg F, 208 beats/min and 3.5 lbs respectively during the hot/dry, hot/wet exposures. The wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) levels for the hot/dry conditions exceeded the NIOSH recommended limiting criteria and was marginal for the hot/wet tests. Physiologic parameters measured during comfortable and cold conditions were similar to each other and lower than those measured during the hot/dry or hot/wet conditions. Differences in suit design were clearly reflected in the measured physiologic parameters and the effort required to perform work. Suggested suit modifications are discussed to reduce clothing encumberance and enhance work efficiency.