PROJECT-AQUARIUS .13. THE THERMAL BURDEN OF HIGH INSULATION AND ENCAPSULATION IN WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS CLOTHING

Citation
Gm. Budd et al., PROJECT-AQUARIUS .13. THE THERMAL BURDEN OF HIGH INSULATION AND ENCAPSULATION IN WILDLAND FIREFIGHTERS CLOTHING, International journal of wildland fire, 7(2), 1997, pp. 207-218
Citations number
30
Categorie Soggetti
Forestry
ISSN journal
10498001
Volume
7
Issue
2
Year of publication
1997
Pages
207 - 218
Database
ISI
SICI code
1049-8001(1997)7:2<207:P.TTBO>2.0.ZU;2-6
Abstract
Light, heavy, and encapsulating clothing were compared in a climatic c hamber during 60 minutes of moderate exercise (energy expenditure 382- 464 W) in warm, dry conditions with no added radiant heat (air and mea n radiant temperature 30 degrees C, relative humidity 33 %, air veloci ty 0.5 m s(-1)). The results showed that high insulation and reduced v entilation restricted the evaporation of sweat and thus hindered the d issipation of metabolic heat. These adverse effects were apparent in ( 1) a reduced cooling efficiency of sweat and hence a higher sweat rate ; (2) increased heat storage, cardiovascular strain, discomfort, and f atigue; and (3) a failure to attain thermal equilibrium even after 60 minutes of work. Comparison with the effects of fire, previously repor ted, on lightly dressed firefighters showed that the above penalties w ould outweigh any benefit that extra insulation or encapsulation could confer during wildland fire suppression with hand tools.