Effects of Simulated Flash Fire and Variations in Skin Model on Manikin Fire Test

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Volume 1, Issue 7 (July 2004)

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ISSN: 1546-962X
Published Online: 6 July 2004
Page Count: 9

Effects of Simulated Flash Fire and Variations in Skin Model on Manikin Fire Test
Song, G
Research Associate, Center for Research on Textile Protection and Comfort, College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, NC

Barker, R
Professor, Associate Director, and Special Project Director, College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, NC

Thompson, D
Professor, Associate Director, and Special Project Director, College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, NC

Grimes, R
Professor, Associate Director, and Special Project Director, College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, NC

(Received 18 November 2003; accepted 13 May 2004)

Abstract

An established numerical model of a manikin fire test, which has the capability of predicting heat transfer through thermally protective clothing exposed to an intense heat environment, is described in this paper. The model considers the fire characteristics simulated in a manikin chamber as well as the insulating air layers between protective garments and the skin surface. The numerical model is applied to analyze the effects of simulated flash fire and variations in a skin model on a manikin test. The study demonstrates that the heat flux measured by 122 thermal sensors over the surface of the manikin exhibits a bell-shaped Gaussian distribution for a short duration in calibration burn. A series of flash fire data with different distributions was generated statistically, and the effects on burn predictions were investigated. The results suggest that the fire distribution affects the burn predictions for 4 s of exposure. The effects of initial temperature distribution, thermal properties, as well as involvement of blood perfusion in a skin model on burn predictions are also discussed. The model predictions demonstrate that the initial temperature distribution in a skin model has a large effect on burn predictions for a one-layer garment exposed to short duration flash fire conditions.

Keywords:
skin model, flash fire, manikin fire test, fire distribution, thermal protective performance, temperature distribution, blood perfusion

Paper ID: JAI12116
DOI: 10.1520/JAI12116
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

Author Title Effects of Simulated Flash Fire and Variations in Skin Model on Manikin Fire Test Symposium Performance of Protective Clothing: Global Needs and Emerging Markets: 8th Symposium, 2004-01-15 Committee F23

		Home Journals STPs Manuals Topics Subscriptions/Pricing Digital Library / Journals / Journal of ASTM International (JAI) / Citation Page Volume 1, Issue 7 (July 2004) Click here to download this paper now for $25 PDF (504K) View License Agreement ISSN: 1546-962X Published Online: 6 July 2004 Page Count: 9 Effects of Simulated Flash Fire and Variations in Skin Model on Manikin Fire Test Song, G Research Associate, Center for Research on Textile Protection and Comfort, College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, NC Barker, R Professor, Associate Director, and Special Project Director, College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, NC Thompson, D Professor, Associate Director, and Special Project Director, College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, NC Grimes, R Professor, Associate Director, and Special Project Director, College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, NC (Received 18 November 2003; accepted 13 May 2004) Abstract An established numerical model of a manikin fire test, which has the capability of predicting heat transfer through thermally protective clothing exposed to an intense heat environment, is described in this paper. The model considers the fire characteristics simulated in a manikin chamber as well as the insulating air layers between protective garments and the skin surface. The numerical model is applied to analyze the effects of simulated flash fire and variations in a skin model on a manikin test. The study demonstrates that the heat flux measured by 122 thermal sensors over the surface of the manikin exhibits a bell-shaped Gaussian distribution for a short duration in calibration burn. A series of flash fire data with different distributions was generated statistically, and the effects on burn predictions were investigated. The results suggest that the fire distribution affects the burn predictions for 4 s of exposure. The effects of initial temperature distribution, thermal properties, as well as involvement of blood perfusion in a skin model on burn predictions are also discussed. The model predictions demonstrate that the initial temperature distribution in a skin model has a large effect on burn predictions for a one-layer garment exposed to short duration flash fire conditions. Keywords: skin model, flash fire, manikin fire test, fire distribution, thermal protective performance, temperature distribution, blood perfusion Paper ID: JAI12116 DOI: 10.1520/JAI12116 ASTM International is a member of CrossRef. Author Title Effects of Simulated Flash Fire and Variations in Skin Model on Manikin Fire Test Symposium Performance of Protective Clothing: Global Needs and Emerging Markets: 8th Symposium, 2004-01-15 Committee F23