PROJECT-AQUARIUS .12. EFFECTS OF STYLE, FABRIC, AND FLAME-RETARDANT TREATMENT ON THE EFFECTIVENESS AND ACCEPTABILITY OF WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS CLOTHING

Balanced comparisons, using a crossover experimental design, were made of the effectiveness and acceptability of several commonly-worn cloth ing outfits during three summers in Australian eucalypt forests. The w earers were four crews who attempted to suppress well-developed experi mental bushfires of intensities commonly faced by hand-tool crews, and also built fireline in the same way without fire. Parallel comparison s were made on the clothing worn by 6 male scientific observers, who s hared the same environment but did lighter work. The outfits differed mainly in style (coveralls vs. shirt and trousers), fabric (wool vs. c otton), and flame-retardant treatment ('Proban'-treated vs. untreated cotton coveralls). Analyses of variance showed that there were no sign ificant differences between clothing outfits in the wearers' work rate , physiological strain, discomfort, productivity, or efficiency. The f indings did not differ between crews or summers, nor between fireline construction with and without fire. Because all outfits were equally e ffective and acceptable, other considerations - such as durability, co st, appearance, and personal preference - can be given their due weigh t when choosing between them.