An evaluation of the thermal protective clothing used by six Australian fire brigades

Authors

Pete Kerry, University of WollongongFollow
Anne van den Heuvel, University of WollongongFollow
Martin van Dijk, University of Maastricht
Gregory E. Peoples, University of WollongongFollow
Nigel A.S. Taylor, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

28640

Publication Details

Kerry, P., van den Heuvel, A., van Dijk, M., Peoples, G. E. & Taylor, N. A.S.. An evaluation of the thermal protective clothing used by six Australian fire brigades. Environmental ergonomics XIII: Proceedings of the 13th international conference on environmental ergonomics; Wollongong, Australia: University of Wollongong; 2009. 44-48.

Abstract

Individuals working in hot environments experience an increase in body core temperature due to the combined influences of physical activity, which elevates metabolic heat production, and external heat sources, which impede heat loss. Since dry heat exchanges are dependent upon thermal gradients, then hotter environments restrict heat dissipation, particularly when the air temperature approaches and exceeds that of the skin. Heat loss will now become progressively more reliant upon the evaporation of sweat, which is also gradient dependent.