Citation

Baek YJ, Jung D, Son SY, Lee JY. Ergonomics 2018; 61(3): 420-428.

Affiliation

Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design , Seoul National University , Republic of Korea.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00140139.2017.1353707

PMID

28689475

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate physiological and subjective responses while wearing the Shikoro-type helmet for firefighters when compared to typical helmets. Eight firefighters conducted a 30-min exercise at a 5 km∙h(-1) in three helmet conditions at an air temperature of 32°C with 70%RH. The results showed that no significant differences in rectal, mean skin temperature, and physiological strain index among the three conditions were found during exercise and recovery. Skin temperatures on the cheek, ear and neck during exercise was significantly lower for the Shikoro-type condition (P<0.05) but forehead temperature was greater for the Shikoro-type helmet when compared to the other conditions (P<0.05). Statistical differences in thermal sensation and thermal comfort for overall and local body regions were not found among the three conditions. These results imply that the Shikoro-type helmet had local advantages in reducing skin temperatures on the face and neck. Practitioner Summary Firefighters wear their helmet with its hood to protect the head and neck but a Shikoro type helmet has no fire protective hood. This study aimed to evaluate the comfort function of Shikoro helmet along with typical helmets. The results demonstrated thermal benefits of the Shikoro helmet on the head.

Language: en

Keywords

Evaporative heat loss; Fire protective helmet; Fire protective hood; Physiological strain index; Shikoro-type helmet; Thermal comfort