Thermal performance of a PCM firefighting suit considering transient periods of fire exposure, post - fire exposure and resting phases

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021-07-20

Authors

Jorge A. Fonseca (Author) FEUP; Soraia F. Neves (Author) FEUP; João Bernardo Campos (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Applied Thermal Engineering

Vol. 182

Pages: 1-11

ISSN: 1359-4311

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 23 Citations

Scopus - 29 Citations

Associated Projects

DIF-Jacket - Desenvolvimento de um casaco de bombeiro inovador

CEFT - Financiamento Plurianual 2020-2023 da Unidade de I&D CEFT - Centro de Estudos de Fenómenos de Transporte

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00S-W0B

DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.115769

Abstract (EN): Firefighting scenarios may be characterized by various transient periods (i.e. phases), which consist of diverse environmental conditions. Firefighters usually encounter fire exposure, post fire exposure and resting phases. Development of new and improved protective clothing must be able to provide protection throughout all these phases, as burnouts may still occur after fire exposure due to accumulation of heat in the garment. The incorporation of phase change materials (PCMs) in firefighting garments has been shown to minimize the potential of heat hazards only during fire exposure. Thus to get more knowledge on their thermal performance, in the present study, the effect of PCM incorporation in post fire and resting phases were also numerically studied. The numerical code was validated for all phases. Five potential PCM candidates were considered. Exposure phases were characterized by high- medium and low- heat flux intensities (84, 12 and 5 kW.m(-2)) with variable exposure times whilst post -exposure and resting phases where characterized by different wind speeds (i.e. ambient convective coefficients). Optimal PCM masses, times to second and third - degree burns as well as PCM suit cooling times were calculated to reflect thermal protective performance in each respective phase. The data generated allows for PCM short-listing from a set of potential PCM candidates along with its geometrical parameters, considering a wide range of characteristics of the various phases that consist a typical firefighting scenario.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11