Researchers at Raleigh, N.C.-based North Carolina State University’s (NCSU’s) Textile Protection
and Comfort Center (T-PACC) have received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to
redesign traditional firefighter gloves to have reduced bulk and offer improved dexterity.
“Firefighters frequently say that bulky gloves impede their ability to pick up things and
turn knobs, which can be critical in emergency situations,” said Dr. Roger Barker, professor of
textile engineering, chemistry and science; and T-PACC director. “There have been improvements in
fabrics over the years. What we need now are advances in the functional design of the glove itself
to go along with the advances in glove materials.”
Based on feedback from firefighter interviews, researchers will conduct tests evaluating
thermal protection, grip, breathability and insulation, among other characteristics on a range of
textile materials, and create new designs for the gloves. Resulting prototypes will then be tested
on T-PACC’s PyroHands Fire Test System — a flame-resistant composite-based hand manikin featuring
21 sensors that record heat exposure data to predict burns. PyroHands, whose engineering was funded
by a grant from the US Department of Defense, is an addition to PyroMan, a life-sized manikin that
has 122 heat sensors used to predict the performance of thermal protective clothing.
“By using PyroHands to test glove prototypes, we will be able to measure the distribution of
fire protective insulation over the surface of the hands,” Barker said. “This should help us
develop improved glove designs by showing the locations on the glove where thickness and bulk might
be reduced without compromising thermal protective performance.”
October 6, 2009
