Experimental Materials

All samples utilize common firefighter protective clothing materials combined to form multilayered assemblies. The individual layers of these assemblies are square pieces of material roughly by in size. These layers are unattached and can be inverted and rearranged with respect to one another to construct varying assembly types and configurations . Once finalized, assembly configurations and type remain constant, utilizing the same collection of materials in the same orientation throughout testing to ensure consistent results.

4.1.1 Test fabrics

Sample materials are supplied by KIVANÇ Group Company*. Various types of fabrics currently used in firefighter turnout clothing were selected as shown in table 4.1, including 4 outer shells coded (A1~A4), 4 moisture barriers coded (B1~B4), 4 thermal barriers coded (C1~C4). Fabric samples were combined to make a multi- layer fabric assembly for firefighter turnout clothing in order to measure their comfort propeties like water vapor resistance, airpermebility, thermal resistance and others. These sample fabrics were supposed to fulfill the requirements of the EN 469:2005 standards.

One of the basic ideas of the EN 469:2005 is that 3 different letters (X-Y-Z) indicate the level of performance (a lower level 1 or a higher level 2). The properties represented by the letters are justified. Xf1 or Xf2 is to mean the performance in the heat test of flame; X1 or X2 is to mean the performance in the heat test of radiation; Y1 or Y2, to mean the performance in the waterproofness tests ; and Z1 or Z2 to mean the resistance against water vapour.EN 469:2005 Level 2 is the higher requirement for structural fire fighting and is used by professional firefighters. Level 2 suits should include a waterproof moisture barrier.

Xf2 = Convective heat HTI24 > 13 second and HTI24 – HTI12 > 4second Xr2 = Radiant heat RHTI24 > 18second and RHTI24 – RHTI12 > 4 second Y2 = Water resistance > 20 KPa

The characteristics of the specimens are provided in Table 4.1 All the selected layers for firefighters’ clothing are commercially available and popularly used in the fire fighters protective clothing

Table 4.1: Sample fabrics characteristics descriptions.

Type Fabric Code

Fabric Name Weight

Outer shell A1 Nomex Outershell Tough 195 g/ m² A2 PBI gold 200 g/m² A3 PBI Matrix 200 g/m² A4 Nomex Outershell Tough Ripstop 195 g/m² Moisture barrier B1 PU membrane laminated to nonwoven (50/25/25) 55 g / m2 B2 PU membrane laminated to nonwoven (50/25/25) 85 g / m2 B3 PU membrane laminated to knitted fabric 85 g/m2 B4 PU membrane laminated to knitted fabric 145 g/m2 Thermal barrier: C1 Two layers of nonwoven(55+55) quilted to Aramid Viscose FR inner lining

110 g/m2

C2 Two layers of

nonwoven(55+55) quilted to Nomex Comfort inner lining

110 g/m2 C3 Nonwoven quilted to Aramid Viscose FR inner lining 55 g / m2 C4 Nonwoven quilted to Aramid Viscose FR inner lining 85 g / m2

4.1.2 Test apparatus:

Experimental works is done by using the following test apparatus 4.1.2.1 Air permeability tester

The air permeability of the fabrics was measured on a Textest M821A Air Permeability Tester according the Standard: EN ISO 9237,400Pa, Temp. 23.7- 24.5oc, l/m2/s, 20cm2 sample area and described test conditions. Refer to chapter 3 of the theses above about the equipment.

Figure 4.1: Prowhite air permeability tester. 4.1.2.2 Permetest

The tests were conducted with the PERMETEST apparatus. The instrument uses the same principle as specified in ISO 11092 developed by Hohenstein Institute, whereby a heated porous membrane is used to simulate the sweating skin. The heat required for the water to evaporate from the membrane, with and without a fabric covering, is measured. The fabric sample is placed on a measuring head over a semi- permeable foil and exposed to parallel air flow at a velocity of 1m/s. The measurement is carried out under isothermal conditions 22 °C. The computer connected to the apparatus determines the evaporative resistance Ret and the thermal resistance Rct and RWVP of textile fabrics according the standard ISO 11092.

4.1.2.3 Alambeta

The thermal properties were measured with the Alambeta device which is a computer controlled instrument for measuring the basic static and dynamic thermal

characteristics of textiles. This method belongs to the so-called ‘plate methods’, the acting principle of which relies on the convection of heat emitted by a hot upper plate in one direction through the sample being examined to the cold bottom plate adjoined to it.

Figure 4.3: Alambeta instrument .

4.1.2.4 Radiant heat tester EN ISO 6942

Evaluation of materials and material assemblies when exposed to a source of radiant heat as per EN ISO 6942 standard requires the followings:3 specimen with 230 x 70 mm , Vertical orientation, Heatflux = 20kW/m², Time until second degree burn

4.1.2.5 Convective heat transfer tester as per EN 367

Test models for determination of the heat transmission on exposure to flame icludes the following as instrument constructing parts. Gas burner (unless the defense), Copper disc calorimeter, Specimen support frame, Calorimeter plate, Leg support, Measuring instrument, Mould (model)[83].

Figure 4.5: Convective heat transfer tester model.

4.1.2.6 Thermal camera

The testo 885 is a handy and robust thermal imager. It enables you to carry out contactless determination and display of the temperature distribution on surfaces. The testo used in this thesis work has the following specifications[82].

Testo 885-1: high-quality wide angle lens 30° x 23, detector 320 x 240, NETD < 30 mK at 30°C, 2GB SD card for approx. 2000 to 3000 images, minimum focusing distance 0.1 m, touchscreen, built-in digital imager with power LEDs for

illumination, auto-focus, isotherm, min/max/avg on area, panorama image wizard, laser (not available in all countries), rotatable handle, rotatable and pivoting display

Flexible camera with rotatable display, Resolution of 160 x 120 pixels (Optional: SuperResolution technology increases res. to 320 x 240 pixels), thermal sensitivity < 80 mK, integrated digital camera. The testo 876 stands out thanks to its large rotatable display. This allows you to keep the display in view when thermographing in any position, securely reaching every corner.