DuPontTM Thermo-Man®Requirements for FR clothing

DuPont Personal Protection

Do your really need FR garments?

Yes, because accidents do happen…and in such accidents FR garments may safe lives.

In Germany over the last years the social securities received on average3500 applications for accidents at work with burn injuries needing sickleave and medical treatment 2

Accident: 12th of January 2009, Silver Eagle Refinery in Woods Cross, Utah (USA), 4 employees got severly burnt

Source: BGI560, Arbeitssicherheit durch vorbeugenden Brandschutz, November 2013

Benefits of Using Thermal Protective, Flame Resistant Clothing

Provides Escape TimeReduces Burn InjuryIncreases Chances of Survival

Thermal protective clothing shall :Not meltNot ignite and continue to burn Insulate the wearer from heatProvide permanent flame resistance

Tem

pera

ture

of h

azar

d

Electric Arc Fuel Fires Molten Metal Splash Exposure time

Thermal Hazards Present in the Work Place

Comparison of Thermal Risk

FIRE ELECTRIC ARC MOLTEN METAL SPLASHES

PROBABILITY LOW LOW HIGH

EXPOSURE TIME

1 to 15 sec.* 0.01 to > 1 sec. Depends onshedding behavior

TOTAL INCIDENT ENERGY (typically arriving on garment surface)

1 to 20 cal/cm²

(42 to 1260 kWs/m²)

1 to > 100 cal/cm²

(42 to 4200 kWs/m²)

Depends onshedding behavior and contact time

ENERGY:

RADIANT

CONVECTIVE

CONTACT

50%

50%

0%

90%

10%

0%

0 %**

0%**

100%

* Depending on reaction time and time to escape from the fire ** Assumption is that splashes are mainly contact heat, but depending on the work

environment there may be important exposure to radiant and convective heat as well.

Burn Injury Fundamentals Normal skin temperature @ 32.5 ° C Skin burn onset @ > 44 ° C Instantaneous @ 72 ° C

Burn depth is a measure of severity

Second degree burn-middle skin layer

Third degree burns-deep skin layer

First degree burn –outer skin layer

(sunburn, no blister)

(blisters, skin can regenerate)

(grey skin, charred, no skin regeneration possible)

Burn Injuries Reality

Clothed areas can be more severely burned than exposed skin if inappropriate clothing was worn !

Source: Dr. Ian Almond / Senior Medical Advisor, Transco UK

Chance of Survival from Body Burns%

Sur

viva

l

Age Range, Years

25% Body Burn

50% Body Burn

75% Body Burn

Source: American Burn Association (1991-1993 Study)

Survival from burn injury depends on 2 factors:

% Body burn

Age of the injured person

20 -29 30 -39 40 -49 50 -59

Limited Flame Spread

Molten metal splashes

Radiant Heat

Evaluation of Heat and Flame Protection

Convective Heat

Fabric Testing

Garment Testing

Contact heat DuPont TPP test(50% convective/ 50% radiant heat)

Manikin Test

Optional ISO 13506:2007 (annex C)

Minimum of one additional test is mandatoryMandatory

DuPontTMTHERMO-MAN®(Excess fuel fire simulator)

EN ISO 11612 Additional DuPont tests

Code letter A Code let. D/E Code letter FCode letter CCode letter B

Note: Performance levels associated to test standards can differ between EN ISO 11612

Minimum burn duration: 3 seconds

2 Types of Flame Resistant FabricsInherently flame resistant fabrics (IFT)

• Fabrics manufactured with fibres whose innate properties make them naturally flame resistant without a chemical treatment

Advantages:

• Flame resistance is not altered through cleaning.

• Fibres have generally got a strong abrasion resistance.

Flame retardant treated fabrics (FRT)•Chemical compound which was incorporated into a fibre during manufacture or applied as a finish to a fibre or the fabric to reduce its flammability. •The FR treatment chemicals are “activated” by intense heat, producing char and gases that inhibit combustion.

•Disadvantages:•Possible loss of flame retardant protection due to mechanical abrasion and loss of weight

NOMEX®

Fabrics Made from NOMEX Fibres for Superior Heat Resistance Inherent durable heat & flame resistance

reliable protection

Do not continue to burn when the flame is removed and do not melt

Will resist breaking open when exposed to heat and flame

Resists thermal degradation below 400oC

Resistant to a wide range of chemicals

Abrasion, tear and wear resistant for long wear-life

Unique dog-bone shape for better moisture management

Nomex® is an intelligent material due to the special characteristics of thefibre which thickens when exposed to heat and flame.

Hence it increases the protective barrier between the heat and the skin -when it is needed most. This tough barrier stays supple and flexibleuntil it cools, providing extra seconds of protection withoutimpairing mobility.

Original After Heat Exposure (up to 46% thicker)

…. Nomex® protects better as it is inherent

Nomex® carbonisation occurs at a temperature of between 350oC –430oC.

March 2014

The DuPont™ Thermo-Man® Experience - Industrial

It started with a flight suit. And 45 years later, DuPont™ Nomex® fiber is still a first choice for workers who rely on its inherently flame resistant properties to help keep them safe from the everyday hazards they face.

Our Thermo‐Man® testing lab puts garments made of Nomex® fiber through a fire scenario that simulates a worst case scenario —making it one of the most advanced thermal burn injury evaluation devices in the world. 

Our dedication to safety has made Nomex® the go‐to fabric for manufacturers who make products for protecting firefighters, industrial workers etc.

….The History

Initial system was developed jointly by the US military and DuPont in the 1970’s

First Thermo‐Man® system in Europe in 1989

DuPont owns and operates 4 Thermo‐Man® systems globally

Experience of more than 10’000 exposures to a variety of materials and material systems

….Thermo‐Man®

Full size mannequin made of epoxy resin / glass fibre compound

122 thermal sensors on the mannequin

12 gas burners, operated with Propane gas, create the heatenergy of 2cal/cm2/second

Temperatures in the exposure chamber during flash fire reach600‐1000oC

Exposures from 3‐25 seconds are possible

Sophisticated data acquisition transforms sensor information intosecond and third degree burns, using skin injury modelsdeveloped by US military and academic research

Amount, location and degree of burns are illustrated by graphs and a chance of survival is given, based on reserach done by the American burn association

….Thermo‐Man® The Facts

….Thermo‐Man® The Facts

In Summary ‐Measurement of:  % second and third degree burns

Position of burns

Percentage total body burns (always incl. 6.6 % for non‐protected head)

Burn evolution over the measuring time

% Chance of survival

Cotton /Polyester (63/35) 245g/m2 coverall

Coverall made of cotton FR 335g/m2with short standard cotton underwear 175g/m2

….What To Look Out For

You are about to witness an impressive burn test, make sure you don’t miss the following, as it will be over in seconds…..

• Garments made with DuPont™ Nomex® don’t melt or drip

• Garments made with DuPont™ Nomex® have a built‐in air‐bag that allows the fibre to carbonize and thicken, which increases the insulation barrier. Visible proof: After the garment has protected its wearer correctly in a flash fire, the  garment may self‐sacrifices when it cools down.

….What To Look Out For

You are about to witness an impressive burn test, make sure you don’t miss the following, as it will be over in seconds…..

• Garments made with DuPont™ Nomex® don’t melt or drip

• Garments made with DuPont™ Nomex® have a built‐in air‐bag that allows the fibre to carbonize and thicken, which increases the insulation barrier. Visible proof: After the garment has protected its wearer correctly in a flash fire, the  garment may self‐sacrifices when it cools down.

• Limited amount of smoke and gasses created, due to the absence of flame retardant chemical substances

• Garments made with DuPont™ Nomex® do not continue to burn when the flame is removed

• Feel the heat created when the burners are switched on 

….Boundaries of a Thermal Mannequin Test

•It can be used to perform competitive tests of materials as long as the same size and garment style/design is used. 

•It can be used for design improvements of garments as long as the same material is used for the comparisons.

•The Thermo‐Man® results are influenced by e.g.: size, design, clothing worn under the garment, number of pockets.

•Thermo‐Man® mannequin is stationary during the burn

….What we will test today

First test: Nomex® Comfort (265 g/m2)

Second test: Modacryllic / cotton coverall (320 g/m2)

Third test: Cotton FR coverall (335 g/m2)

Disclaimer:

Yarn and fabric construction have an important influence on test results for fabric properties.

Not all fabric properties are solely linked to the inherent properties of the Nomex® fiber.

The information provided herein corresponds to our knowledge on the subject at the date of its publication. This information may be subject to revision as new knowledge and experience becomes available. The data provided fall within the normal range of product properties and relate only to the specific material designated; these data may not be valid for such material used in combination with any other materials or additives or in any process, unless expressly indicated otherwise. The data provided should not be used to establish specification limits or used alone as the basis of design; they are not intended to substitute for any testing you may need to conduct to determine for yourself the suitability of a specific material for your particular purposes. Since DuPont cannot anticipate all variations in actual end‐use conditions DuPont makes no warranties and assumes no liability in connection with any use of this information. Nothing in this publication is to be considered as a license to operate under or a recommendation to infringe any patent rights.

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The DuPont Oval, DuPont™, Nomex® and Thermo‐Man are registered trademarks or trademarks of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.