Aug 26 2004
Researchers at North Carolina State University’s College of Textiles are set to unveil a prototype of the next generation of fire fighter turnout gear that not only offers increased protection from fire, but also provides protection from chemical and biological agents.
The prototype turnout gear will be formally presented to the Raleigh Fire Department at a media event at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 26, in the Atrium of the College of Textiles. Media coverage is invited. Reporters and photographers will be able to see the fire suit and interview the researchers and Raleigh firefighters who assisted with the project. U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge, who is on the Select Committee on Homeland Security, is expected to attend the event to see the prototype fire suit.
NC State partnered with Globe Manufacturing and DuPont for the project awarded by the Department of Homeland Security and the Technical Support Working Group. “This prototype incorporates all the goals we had for the original design, which was to develop a suit that not only had the fire protection, but also a level of chemical and biological protection,” said Dr. Roger Barker, head of the Textile Protection and Comfort Center (TPACC) at NC State’s College of Textiles.
The new suit has all the functional features of a traditional suit, but with added protection. The thermal liner that is the main component in heat protection was developed at NC State. According to Barker, it utilizes a new non-woven thermal material that incorporates new fiber technologies offering better protection from heat.
“Our suit is going to take protection to an entirely new level with a wider range of chemical resistance at higher levels,” Barker said.
TPACC will also test the suit to ensure it meets all the required standards for protection, but also test for comfort and ergonomics – making sure it’s easy to put on, wear and take off. Other tests will determine the level of harmful vapour infiltration.
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