Conclusions

In this thesis, an experimental analysis is presented examining the comfort properties and protective performance of a collection of multi layered fabrics used to made firefighters protective clothings. Several series of tests are conducted, each assessing the thermo-physiological comfort parameters and also assembly protective performance of coveralls. Thus, this thesis addressed several potential problems with the current methods for screening each single layered fabrics used in assembly according to their demand to comfort and protection level based on objective measurements.

In analysis of properties such as water vapour permeability, thermal resistance, thermal absorptivity, thermal diffusion and protection performances total of sixty four layered fabrics used. By combinations of Outer shells (A1 or Nomex Outershell Tough with 195 g/ m², A2 or PBI gold with 200 g/m² , A3 or PBI Matrix with 200 g/m², A4 or Nomex Outershell Tough Ripstop with 195 g/m²), Moisture barriers (B1 or PU membrane laminated to nonwoven (50/25/25) with 55 g / m2, B2 or PU membrane laminated to nonwoven (50/25/25) with 85 g / m2, B3 or PU membrane laminated to knitted fabric with 85 g/m2 and B4 or PU membrane laminated to knitted fabric with 145 g/m2) and Thermal barriers (C1 or two layers of nonwoven(55+55) quilted to Aramid Viscose FR inner lining with 110 g/m2, C2 or two layers of nonwoven(55+55) quilted to Nomex Comfort inner lining with 110 g/m2, C3 Nonwoven quilted to Aramid Viscose FR inner lining with 55 g / m2 and C4 or Nonwoven quilted to Aramid Viscose FR inner lining with 85 g / m2); have been done in order to compare and screen the best combinations in specified comfort and protection properties.

According to test results done by using Permetest instrument the fire fighters protective multilayered from Nomex® Outershell Tough 195 g/ m² + moisture barrier laminated to knitted fabric PU Membrane85 g/m2 + thermal barrier of Nonwoven Aramid Viscose FR valve has been quilted inner lining 85 g / m2) is found to be the best in water vapour permeability and so as to improve the comfort level in turn. To the opposite A3B4C2 coded assembly of PBI® Matrix 200 g/m²+ moisture barrier PU Membrane laminated to knitted fabric 145 g/m2 + thermal

barrier of Nonwoven Nomex Comfort which has been quilted inner lining until 2 times (55 + 55) is identified as the only assembly which cannot fulfill the standard of EN 469:2005 Level 2 requirement which says Water vapour resistance < 30 m2 Pa/W. Thus this layered fabrics with above 31m2Pa/W water vapor resistance is concluded as the least in its comfort assesement by this parameter and others are listed in results and discusions sections of the thesis. Additionaly its measured and concluded that all of the multilayered firefighters protective clothings are not air permeable because of the thermal barriers which hinder air transmission.

The thermal parameters such as thermal conductivity (λ), thermal absorptivity (b),thermal resistance (R) and sample thickness (h) have been measured by Alambeta modern device which basically simulates the dry human skin . From several tests done for all samples its possible to conclude that, the thermal resistance measured by Alambeta device results greater than that measured by Permetest device for the same sample. This limits the Alambeta device to measure fabrics such as underwear which have direct contacts with human skin. From their real applications fire fighters protective clothings are worn as outer cover next to underwears and it is decided to take the results by Permetest in calculations of overall properties Thermal Comfort Index TCI. The calculated relative thermal index values of all 64 samples were compared to rank the comfort level of the assemblies. Thus the fabric layers of code A1B3C4 which mean of outer shell: Nomex® Outershell Tough 195 g/ m², Moisture barrier: PU Membrane laminated to knitted fabric 85 g/m2, Thermal barrier of Nonwoven Aramid Viscose FR valve which has been quilted inner lining 85 g / m2 is screened as the most comfortable combinations among the samples.

The burning tests done for the fabric layers as per standards of EN367 HTI 12/24and EN6942 RHTI 12/24 measure the protective performance of fire fighters clothings and the correlation analysis showed that both convective heat transfer index and radiant heat transfer index at 12 and 24 seconds are very significantly proportional to each other. The more burning tests resistance time in seconds to convective and radiant heat source, the more protective the assemblies and its used to rank the performances of samples. From relative thermal comfort index and burning tests rank, the priority lists for three classes have done. The High protective and good comfortable are A3B2C4, A2B2C4, and A1B2C2 Medıum protective and medium comfortable are A3B2C3, A4B2C4 , A3B1C2, A4B1C2, A2B1C4 and A1B4C2

Low protection and low comfort A4B4C2, A4B3C1 and A3B1C1. From these lists the available ready made firefighters protective clothings taken from KIVANÇ KIMYA PLC have investigated for wear trials by using testo 885Thermal imager camera.

The relative thermal comfort index calculated for fabric layers evaluate and provide well screened status weather a particular type of fabrics when made garments and investigated wear trially would definitely ensure thermal comfort . In order to meet the best expectations to this conclusion, it is necessary to precisely specify the conditions of using the garments, not only concerning microclimate parameters but also personal features of the user and the type and intensity of physical activity. However, it is not possible to define the above-mentioned conditions accurately for the mass production of everyday clothing.