High Temperature Performance of Fire Fighter Equipment

Summary

Reliable performance of fire fighter equipment and gear is critical for the safety and effectiveness of fire fighters. Current equipment standards and test methods do not adequately address the challenges of operating this safety equipment when exposed to high temperatures and heat fluxes. This project conducts research to characterize the performance of fire fighter equipment at elevated temperatures and to develop performance criteria and test methods that are representative of conditions encountered when fighting fires. This project focuses on the performance of electronic safety equipment including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), portable radios, locators, and other wearable electronic devices. The knowledge gained is shared with the fire service and standards organizations to support the development of performance standards and testing methods for fire fighter equipment operating in high heat conditions. Improved standards increase the safety and performance of the fire fighter equipment, resulting in enhanced safety and effectiveness for fire fighters.

Description

High temperatures and heat flows in NIST fire research melted a hole in a SCBA mask. A pressure sensor (brass fitting that was mounted on the face of the headform) is visible through the hole in the lens.

Credit: NIST

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this project is to improve safety and effectiveness of fire fighters by developing science-based performance criteria and standard test methods for firefighting equipment and gear when operating in high temperature conditions.

TECHNICAL IDEA:

This project provides experimental data to develop standards and testing methods for fire fighter equipment that consider realistic firefighting temperature and heat flow conditions. Previous work has shown that fire fighter gear and equipment may not perform well at the elevated temperatures encountered during firefighting activities. Current equipment standards often do not adequately address the challenges of operating in high temperatures. This project involves experiments measuring the performance of fire fighter equipment using controlled, repeatable, well-characterized test methods to develop scientifically based performance criteria and standards. As technology advances, new materials, systems, and electronics have been incorporated into fire fighter protective equipment. Some SCBA include electronic displays, while others incorporate radios or other communication systems. Devices that provide thermal imaging, temperature, heat flux, physiological statistics, location information, and other situational awareness tools are available or in development. Thermal performance criteria and test methods must be developed to measure the operation of the equipment in high temperature. The test methods should provide a consistent thermal exposure indicative of firefighting conditions, so the equipment provides appropriate levels of performance and protection.

RESEARCH PLAN:
The research plan involves conducting experiments exposing fire fighter equipment to elevated temperatures and heat fluxes to measure equipment performance and develop test methods and performance criteria for use in standards. This project focuses on electronic fire fighter equipment including SCBA, portable radios, and emerging technologies such as locators and physiological monitoring devices. While large scale fire experiments can be useful to study the performance of gear, they are typically unsatisfactory for product standards testing. This project develops repeatable and controlled laboratory scale test procedures to measure the equipment’s thermal performance. Specialized testing apparatus including the Fire Equipment Flow Loop and a vertical radiant panel, are used to provide specific and repeatable conditions for test development and performance evaluation. Results from this project are shared with the fire service, and with standards organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).  This research, along with technical input from project members, is used by standards organizations for development of performance criteria and testing methods for equipment standards.

Major Accomplishments

• Project results and technical input were used for development of the first edition of NFPA 1802, Standard on Two-way, Portable RF Voice Communications Devices for use by Emergency Services Personnel in the Hazard Zone.
• Project results were the technical basis for elevated temperature testing in the first edition of NFPA 1801, Standard on Thermal Imagers for the Fire Service.
• Project identified a critical safety failure with firefighting Personal Alert Safety Systems, and NIST input and data led to a new requirement for high temperature operation of equipment for NFPA 1982, Standard on Personal Alert Safety Systems.