Journal of Korean Living Environment System (한국생활환경학회지)

The Korean Society of Living Environmental System (한국생활환경학회)
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Effects of Wearing Nomex Body Cooling Garment inside Firefighting Protective Equipment on the Efficiency of Performance During Simulated Firefighters' Tasks

소방복 내 노멕스 냉각복 착용이 모의 소방동작 동안 소방관의 작업 효율에 미치는 영향

  • Kim, Do Hyung (Department of Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design, College of Human Ecology, Seoul National University) ;
  • Jung, Jae Yeon (Department of Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design, College of Human Ecology, Seoul National University) ;
  • Kim, Do-Hee (Research Institute for Human Ecology, Seoul National University) ;
  • Lee, Joo-Young (Department of Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design, College of Human Ecology, Seoul National University)
  • 김도형 (서울대학교 의류학과) ;
  • 정재연 (서울대학교 의류학과) ;
  • 김도희 (서울대학교 생활과학연구소) ;
  • 이주영 (서울대학교 의류학과)
  • Received : 2018.11.07
  • Accepted : 2019.02.07
  • Published : 2019.02.28
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Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the efficiency of mobility of newly-developed Nomex cooling pack shirt inside firefighting personal protective equipment (FPPE) during simulated firefighting tasks. Sixteen firefighters participated in the following four experimental conditions: FPPE (Control), cooling vest A + FPPE (Vest A), cooling vest B + FPPE (Vest B), and Nomex cooling shirt + FPPE (Nomex cooling shirt). As a result, there were no significant differences in completion time, heart rate, total sweat rate, and blood lactate acid among the four conditions. Clothing microclimate temperature on the chest was lower for Nomex cooling shirt (31.2 ± 1.1℃) than Control (33.6 ± 0.8℃) or Vest A (33.5 ± 0.9℃) (P<0.001). Clothing microclimate humidity and sweat sensation showed no differences among the 4 conditions. Firefighters expressed less hot and less uncomfortable for Nomex cooling shirt and Vest B compared to Vest A and Control (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in mass perception among Vest A, B and Nomex cooling shirt, while Nomex cooling shirt was perceived as less stiffness than Vest A and B. In conclusion, wearing Nomex cooling shirt inside FPPE did not interrupt firefighters' mobility and improved thermal sensation and comfort.

Keywords

References

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