Evaluation of Fire-resistant Clothing Using an Instrumented Mannequin: A Comparison of Exposure Test Conditions Set With a Cylinder Form or Mannequin Form

摘要

Setting up a manikin/burner system to evaluate FR clothing requires that the energy transfer to the surface of an instrumented manikin be measured and adjusted to meet the requirements of the test method being used (ASTM F1930 or ISO 11056). ISO 11056 makes provision for the use of an instrumented cylinder to initially set the physical position of burners before using the manikin. The idea behind the provision is that because of the symmetry of the cylinder the heat flux should be uniform over the surface enabling rapid initial setting of burner positions, fuel pressures, flow controls etc. This work experimentally evaluated the differences in heat flux that would be obtained if conditions were set with a cylinder and the cylinder then replaced with the manikin for. The work was undertaken as background to find out whether this procedure would be a useful addition to ASTM F1930. The study concluded that the additional cost/time associated with using a cylinder did not result in better exposure conditions on a manikin form primarily due to the non-uniform shape of the manikin.