Purpose & Aims: To contribute to firefighter safety by filling gaps in the available information needed by firefighters for the selection and use of PPE for ballistic protection. To generate scientific data on the effect of wearing ballistic vests on firefighter heat stress and mobility. Relevance: Tragic deaths from firearms and sharp weaponry injuries leaves little doubt that firefighters need ballistic protection in some emergency response scenarios. Wearing ballistic PPE creates tradeoffs for firefighter, including increased heat strain and decreased mobility. With the increase in hostile incidents often requiring body armor, firefighters also face risk of burn injury caused by flaming liquids (Molotov cocktails). Methods: To employ a nation-wide firefighter survey and multiple focus groups to identify gaps in existing guidelines for wearing body armor with firefighter gear. To develop protocols to evaluate the interoperability of ballistic vests with other firefighter gear for male and female firefighters. To apply instrumented manikins, physiological models and controlled wear trials to assess body armor effect on heat strain. To use firefighter involved field tests to evaluate the efficacy of developed guidelines that weight the tradeoffs of ballistic gear. Anticipated Outcomes: Provide unavailable scientifically generated data on the impact on heat stress, and other unintended consequences produced when firefighters and EMTs wear ballistic gear with a turnout suit or with other clothing. Inform ASTM and NFPA Guides and standards for firefighter selection and use of ballistic gear, including the ASTM E54 Guide to Body Armor for Non-Law Enforcement First Responder Applications and NFPA 3000. Contribute to support firefighter decision making related to the selection, use, integration and implementation of ballistic PPE in fire and EMT emergency service operations.

Purpose & Aims: Our aim is to improve the health and safety of firefighters by developing a strategy for incorporation of appropriate contamination resistance measures in NPFA 1971 and 1851 without compromising the protection that firefighters need against fireground and environmental hazards. We will accomplish this by reviewing NFPA requirements regarding contamination resistance, assessing the impacts of contamination resistance on ensemble performance, and determining the impact of ageing on contamination resistance, performance, and exposure. Relevance: This work will fill a significant knowledge gap associated with contamination resistance measures, such as fluorinated and non-fluorinated repellent finishes, and their impacts on liquid, particulate, and chemical contamination, cleaning efficacy, and management of thermal energy in both a new and aged state. Methods: Turnout composites with varying constructions and repellency treatments will be subjected to ageing through UV and laundering. Both new and aged composites will be realistically contaminated with smoke and chemicals in the Fireground Exposure Simulator. To determine performance trade-offs, clean and contaminated composites will be evaluated for ability to resist chemical and particulate contamination, cleaning efficacy, thermal protection from convective and radiant heat, and impact of radiant load on total heat loss. Anticipated Outcomes: This research will provide an independent and thorough evaluation of the impacts that contamination resistance measures have on the turnout performance and firefighter exposures to contaminants. The research findings will inform the NFPA 1971 and 1851 standards during their revision processes, and it will allow firefighters to conduct their own assessments of risk associated with potential trade-offs.

The development of a comfortable, durable multi-hazard duty uniform for general responder wear presents an obvious and significant technical challenge. Successful development will require nothing less than a team having an uncommon combination of capabilities, including scientific expertise and laboratory capabilities, knowledge of advanced textile clothing materials and finishes, and the creative skill and expertise required to integrate and fabricate materials into prototype garments having optimum protective, comfort, functional and ergonomic performance. It will require access to extensive laboratory research and testing capabilities to facilitate, not only for testing of the protective and functional performance of prototype clothing and materials, but to guide the process of selection, design, and integration of the elements of the duty uniform from the fabric to the integrated ensemble.

This project will develop an advanced animatronic head form test method for measuring the filtration efficiency and breathing resistance of low cost cloth face coverings (CFCs) in realistic simulations of dynamic human wear. The project will use data provided by this unique test platform to produce a metric that combines CFC filtration and breathability performance to provide manufacturers and users with an easy to understand quantitative rating of CFC functionality. The value of this new test method will be demonstrated by assessing the effects of design and facial wearing configuration on particle capture efficiency and breathability. We will test a wide range of low cost CFCs representing different materials and design options (ranging from the ����������������do-it-yourself��������������� or DIY and industrial manufacturer versions), including the features outlined in the AATCC Guidance Monograph for General Purpose Textile Face Coverings1. We will employ the method to characterize the effects of CFCs on the propagation of aerosolized particles produced in breathing, talking, coughing and conduct human subject fit tests to validate instrument predictions of filtration efficiency and breathing resistance.

Purpose & Aims: Critically review and assess NFPA standards and improve system-level testing methods by investigating application and relevance to fire service and responder communities. Current material-level tests outlined in NFPA standards are useful for characterizing fabrics used in protective garments; they do not capture the full system-level performance for user wear during various tasks. Full examination and range of system-level evaluations will be conducted and aid in developing an updated testing platform which firefighters can use to assess their own ensemble and support development of a new NFPA standard. Relevance: Full system-level tests in NFPA standards are impactful in assessing protective clothing as worn by the responder; however, some of these methods lack comprehensive evaluation for its application in integration and interoperability. This research will provide the basis and support for a new NFPA standard for system-level evaluations of the responder in addition to providing the responder community with testing protocols that can be conducted at their respective station for assessment. Methods: Material and system level methods will be implemented to research, examine, and assess current test methods utilized in NFPA standards. NCSU������������������s capabilities with manikin systems, in-depth knowledge of users and standards, and expertise in human wear testing will provide unprecedented evaluations specific to protective systems worn against a multitude of encountered hazards. Anticipated Outcomes: This research will contribute to improve firefighter protection and promote education through the creation and design of test methods implemented in a new NFPA standard focused on integration and interoperability of protective ensembles.

Purpose & Aims: This research will develop deep-cleaning methods to remove residual smoke & vapor carcinogens present in turnout material components after conventional washing. Relevance: Current NFPA 1851 advanced washing procedures remove 40% or less of potentially carcinogenic contaminants found in turnout gear after firefighting smoke exposure. After wash contaminants can migrate from turnout suits & transfer to skin; semi-volatile compounds can off-gas, exposing firefighters to low-level sustained doses of toxic vapors. Better cleaning methods, to extract residual smoke & fire ground contaminants, at reasonable cost & with less damage to gear, will reduce firefighter cancer risks. Methods: 1) Determine the level of accumulated carcinogens in retired smoke-exposed turnout gear; assess potential transfer of carcinogens via skin contact & potential for off gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 2) Contaminate representative combinations of new turnout outer shell, moisture barrier and thermal liner materials with controlled doses of target chemicals; clean with CO2 & enhanced conventional processes; analyze for residual contaminants. 3) Use deep-clean wash procedures to launder new structural uniforms, gloves & hoods contaminated with known carcinogenic compound levels; following up to 10 cleaning cycles compare carcinogen content levels found in gear laundered using current NFPA 1851 cleaning procedures for cleaning effectiveness, cost, & turnout durability. Anticipated Outcomes: Provide fire service community with new hazard assessments for residual contaminants in smoke-exposed legacy gear; identify next-generation cleaning procedures to remove more contaminants from turnout suits; recommend procedures to relevant NFPA technical committees, fire departments, laundries, and Independent Service Providers (ISPs).

The survival rate of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 on environmental surfaces varies from minutes up to three days. Studies highlight the role of such surfaces in the chain of transmission of the viral pathogens, and consequently in epidemics and pandemics. There is little evidence about the influence of soft surfaces, textiles, in cross-contamination. Based on literature, it appears that viable human coronavirus, specifically SARS-CoV-2, may persist on textiles for up to two days in some circumstances. Most studies so far have focused on hard surfaces but, considering the complexity of textile materials due to their type and varied ways of construction, those findings cannot necessarily be applied to soft materials. In their current form, these textiles can host and spread bioaerosols, allergens, bacteria, and viruses, and can promote cross contamination. In addition, the reusable textile-based personal protective equipment (PPE) and patient care textiles found in healthcare are never characterized nor modeled to quantify their contribution to the development and spread of pathogens. The rise of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses has created a demand for anti-viral technologies that can mitigate the risk by simply creating an antimicrobial/antiviral bio-barrier on textiles to prevent microbes and viruses from attaching to them. This initial pilot study will focus on the persistence of viral contamination on a subset of textile surfaces. More specifically, we will first focus on general textiles such as linen sheeting materials that are commonly used in healthcare settings. Additional materials, such as those used in masks and other PPE will be included in follow-on studies. The objective of this pilot study is to develop a proof-of-concept protocol aimed at evaluating the persistence of viral contamination on textile surfaces.

The Textile Protection and Comfort Center (T-PACC) at NC State University will provide comprehensive testing and research support to evaluate the thermal insulation performance of temperature responsive fiber and fabric technology intended for use in garments designed to provide cold weather insulation with thermal comfort over a range of different temperature conditions.

Thermal comfort and heat stress are significant concerns for workers in the gas and oil industry. This project will use modern laboratory tests, including advanced sweating manikins and controlled climate human physiological wear studies, to establish guidelines for selecting workwear ensembles that will provide reduced heat strain and worker comfort in operations conducted in hot conditions. It will provide technical foundation for developing work/rest cycles for operations that require workers to wear flash fire suits in stressful conditions.

Purpose & Aims: This project will provide an improved technical basis for rating the heat strain performance of firefighter turnout suits. Relevance: NFPA 1971 heat strain requirements do not account for the range of use conditions and environments encountered by structural firefighters. The THL breathability index provides a single snapshot of turnout breathability valid for a single set of environmental conditions and workloads. It cannot account for the dynamic conditions involved in real firefighting operations. It may not accurately rate the heat strain potential of turnout materials that transfer body heat differently depending on the ambient temperatures and humidity. Methods: We will establish enhanced laboratory test protocols and criteria for rating and certifying turnout heat strain by obtaining a better understanding of firefighter sweat generating conditions when performing activities ranging from fire suppression to post-fire overhaul. We will develop a new laboratory testing procedure for measuring heat loss through turnout suit materials that approximates sweat production and evaporation by firefighters in dynamic firefighting conditions. It will account for radiant heating from fires and heated surfaces. Anticipated Outcomes: This research will address a critical ongoing need of the NFPA 1971 Technical Committee for scientifically based qualification of THL and Ret indexes for rating the breathability of turnout materials. It will produce a significant improvement in the way turnout materials are tested and certified for heat stress. This resulting upgrade in the standards requirement will translate into more comfortable turnout gear options for firefighters