This paper details the collaborative work carried out by BAE SYSTEMS, Land Systems (formerly Royal Ordnance), DuPont™, ARCO® and Pioner Fristads. Following an incident on a Land Systems site a comprehensive review of Personal Protective Clothing for protection against fire hazards was undertaken. It was realised a systems approach was required in order to analyse the complex requirements of candidate solutions. A figure of merit and hazard assessment technique were derived to assist in benchmarking assessments thereafter comparative tests were carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of traditional versus aramid PPE garments. These tests showed that a multi-layer aramid system of garments would greatly enhance protection against fire hazard for pyrotechnic and propellant handling processes. These findings were confirmed by tests carried out at DuPont's™ THERMO-MAN® and ARC-MAN® facilities in Geneva, Switzerland. These tests indicated a reduction in total third degree burns from 72% to 42% body surface area.
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