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Modelling fire-fighter responses to exercise and asymmetric infrared radiation using a dynamic multi-mode model of human physiology and results from the sweating agile thermal manikin.

  • Richards MG Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (EMPA), 9014 St Gallen, Switzerland. mark.richards@empa.ch
  • Fiala D
  • 2004-05-11
Published in:
  • European journal of applied physiology. - 2004
Clothing
Computer Simulation
Fires
Hot Temperature
Humans
Infrared Rays
Manikins
Models, Biological
Predictive Value of Tests
Skin Temperature
Sweat
Volatilization
Water
English In this study, predicted dynamic physiological responses are compared with wear trials results for firefighter suits: impermeable (A), semi-permeable (B) and permeable (C), and underwear. Wear trials consisted of three rest phases and two moderate work phases, with a frontal infrared (IR) radiation exposure of 500 W/m2 for the last 15 min of each work phase. Simulations were performed by detailed modelling of the experimental boundary conditions, including the inhomogeneous IR radiation combined with clothing properties for still and walking conditions measured using the Sweating Agile thermal Manikin. Accounting for the effect of sweat gland activity suppression with increased skin wettedness, the predicted total moisture loss was insignificantly different (P<0.05) from the wear trial value for suits B and C but was 37% too high for suit A. Predicted evolution of core, mean skin and local skin temperatures agreed well with the wear trial results for all clothing. Root mean square deviations ranged from 0.11 degrees C to 0.26 degrees C for core temperatures and from 0.28 degrees C to 0.38 degrees C for mean skin temperatures, which where typically lower than the experimental error. Transient thermodynamic processes occurring within suit A may account for the delayed/reduced fall in core temperature following exercise.
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  • English
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green
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https://sonar.ch/global/documents/278834
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