During fireground exposures, structural firefighting turnout ensembles are susceptible to infiltration by smoke containing aerosolized particles of toxic combustion products. This particulate penetration, posing health risks to firefighters via skin deposition, occurs through ensemble closures and interface areas. A design tool has been created with the intent of easily identifying the regions of firefighter ensembles most vulnerable to smoke infiltration. An articulated manikin outfitted with porous tubing was connected to a theatrical smoke housing chamber. Airflow supplied to the chamber and distributed the aerosolized smoke evenly throughout the tubing system which covered the entirety of the manikin. This system was used as a visual leakage indicator for full and partial ensembles worn by the manikin, as smoke escaping from any area indicated a location susceptible to particle infiltration. Furthermore, the smoke used in this research effort may also be used to determine the proficiency of a material to particulate resistance by directly challenging the materials within a penetration test cell.
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