Application of Fire-Testing Manikins in Evaluating Thermal Protective Clothing
In assessing the thermal protection performance of clothing, traditional small-scale fabric tests can evaluate the heat resistance of individual materials. However, many researchers argue that the effectiveness of protective garments depends not only on the properties of each fabric layer but also on the overall garment design, tailoring, and additional features. Therefore, evaluating protective clothing requires testing the entire garment, not just individual materials. Fire-testing manikins serve as biological human surrogates, playing a critical role in whole-garment thermal protection testing.
The experiment employed three sets of identical civilian fire-protective garments produced by a commercial manufacturer. Each suit consisted of a long coat with a standing collar and attached sleeves. Reflective strips on the chest and back facilitate identification, while a safety belt on the upper back allows for escape. The outer layer is made of Aramid 1313, and the insulation layer consists of thermal cotton. The combined fabric assembly has a TPP value of 33.8, exceeding the industry-standard thermal protection requirement.
The testing instrument used was a fire-testing manikin system compliant with ISO 13506 and ASTM F1930 standards. Key features include:
Manikin dimensions: Adult male standard body size
Sensors: 135 heat flux sensors covering the torso, head, hands, feet, and other critical areas
Joint articulation: Shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle joints with rotation and sliding systems to simulate various postures and movements
Versatility: Can be used to test helmets, gloves, fire boots, and complete thermal protective gear
In the experiment, the fire-testing manikin wearing the protective garment was placed in a laboratory-simulated fire environment. The 135 heat flux sensors measured the heat transferred through the clothing to the manikin’s surface, allowing prediction of burn injuries and evaluation of garment thermal protection performance.
Prior to testing, calibration ensured the average heat flux reached 84 ± 2 kW/m², with a standard deviation controlled within 21 kW/m².
Video recording captured real-time garment changes during the burning process.
Fire-testing manikins provide a more realistic simulation of fire scenarios, including variations in flame size and human activity levels. According to ASTM F1930—2000 and ISO 13506—2008, the standard heat flux is 84 kW/m², though adjustments can be made to simulate different fire environments for specific research purposes.
In addition to fabric flame resistance, garment design significantly impacts protective performance. Air layers influence heat transfer rates, affecting the time and area to reach second-degree burns. Different garment designs determine the distribution of air layers beneath clothing, which directly affects thermal protection.
Fire-testing manikins allow researchers to:
Reproduce real-world fire scenarios with actual garment fit and wearer posture
Analyze how garment style and structure influence thermal protection
Measure skin surface temperature and heat flux under various fire conditions
Study thermal transfer mechanisms in flame-resistant protective gear
By simulating different burning conditions and recording thermal responses, fire-testing manikins provide critical insights for the design, material selection, and structural optimization of flame-resistant protective clothing.
