Numerical modelling of temperature gradient in layered structure of textiles for firemen clothing

This paper presents numerical investigations of textile structures for the production of firemen protective clothing. These structures must ensure both user safety and comfort. The influence of various structure elements, such as the thickness of the air cushion or the Airlock layer construction) on the temperature distribution occurring during the heating of the surface layer up to 300C was investigated. INTRODUCTION – FIREMEN CLOTHING STRUCTURE AND RESEARCH AIM Protective clothing should comprehensively protect against threats, which means protection from the outside as well as from the inside. In a simplified way, protection from the outside is understood as a barrier against the effects of heat in various forms with water, chemical substances, while inside protection is understood as a breathability. During rescue operations firemen are accompanied by stress, rush and increased physical effort. In order not to overheat, body produces heat and sweat. An overly tight material layer can cause dangerous effects. One of them are burns, which are formed due to lack of protection against heat, as a result of soaking up the material directly in contact with the skin. Another dangerous consequence is the stress caused by body overheating. It is caused by a disturbed mechanism of cooling. When it is not possible to discharge the heat released by the body, its quantity increases, raises the temperature, to the extent that in the worst case leads to death due to heat stroke [1]. Since a material having all of the protective properties previously described has not yet been constructed, clothing that has a layered structure has been designed (Fig. 1). It consists of an outer layer, membrane, thermal insulation layer and lining. Each layer is made of a different material and has characteristic features, which in combination are an effective innovative solution with a wide range of protection. FIGURE 1. Layered structure of firemen clothing [1] The aim of the work presented in this paper was to analyze the temperature changes (insulation) in the layered structure of textiles used for firemen’s clothing.