Citation

Barker R, Fang X, Deaton S, DenHartog E, Gao H, Tutterow R, Schmid M. Int. J. Occup. Safety Ergonomics 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Centralny Instytut Ochrony Pracy - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10803548.2021.1987024

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper describes results of a survey of firefighters designed to identify conditions that contribute to heat strain in structural firefighting. Based on responses from about 3000 firefighters across the United States and Canada, it provides invaluable information about how firefighters associate environmental conditions, work tasks and other factors with heat strain. One-half of firefighters surveyed have experienced heat stress during their service. They can wear fully deployed turnout gear for two or more hours on fire scene, reinforcing the importance of turnout suit breathability as a factor in heat strain. Survey results are useful in weighing the comparative value of the total heat loss (THL) and evaporative heat resistance (Ref) for predicting turnout related heat strain. The survey findings support the inclusion of a performance criterion in the NFPA 1971 Standard for Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment based on limiting the Ref of turnout materials along with current THL requirement.

Language: en

Keywords

North America; survey; firefighters’ heat strain; PPE; Subject classification codes: include these here if the journal requires them; thermal environments; time distribution; turnout gear; work load