MM SCIENCE JOURNAL I 2016 I NOVEMBER 1482 THERMAL EXPOSITION MONITORING OF FIREFIGHTERS PETR NOVAK, JAN BABJAK, TOMAS KOT VSB-Technical University Ostrava, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Robotics Ostrava, Czech Republic DOI: 10.17973/MMSJ.2016_11_2016165 e-mail: petr.novak@vsb.cz This paper describes progress of project focused on health management and occupational safety of firefighter units’ members, especially from thermal exposition point of view. After introduction is described evolution of design of the proto- types of a pocket personal measurement device. The next part deals with the selection of precise temperature, humidity and body activity sensors. Attention is also given to power con- sumption of the device. There were made many various tests of this measurement prototype device, mostly at real case scenar- ios, like measurements at a thermal chamber used for firefight- er’s suit testing. The last part of the paper describes software support for configuration and wireless monitoring and supervi- sion of multiple members of a rescue team by an assigned overseer in real time. This provides additional level of safety and can greatly help to reduce the risk of health damage caused by extreme conditions. KEYWORDS measurement, safety, firefighters, thermal exposition 1 INTRODUCTION Firefighter units’ members are mostly exposed to dangerous conditions during their duty [KARTER 2003], [FAHY 2003]. At present, there is not available any compact system for measur- ing and assessing working heat stress and others health-care parameters. But it is important to measure thermal exposure on the surface of protective clothing and internal temperature. Based upon these needs a project was started with the goal to develop a personal device for monitor these risks. The system will measure, archive and analyze actual temperatures and it will warn the person in an appropriate way about reach- ing/exceeding the pre-set boundary values at which there is a danger of damage to health and clothing (protective clothing will lose its heat resistance). The system will also allow monitor- ing of movement activities and the person’s body position in relation to the ground. The solution involves a unique way of controlling the whole system without using fingers at the time of emergency. This paper is dealing with progress in the pro- ject; initial stage is described at [NOVAK 2016]. 2 STATE OF ART According to the research that has been carried out, the pro- posed solution is unique. So far, conventional laboratory data- loggers have been used for testing - bulky, low mechanical endurance, necessity of finger control, they have not been compatible, high price, higher consumption, etc. Another unique feature is incorporating intrinsic safety of the system, which will make it absolutely unique and it will enable to use it also in explosion hazard area (chemical industry accident, mines, etc.) according to the ATEX directive [EU]. There are some other solutions, for example the QUESTemp°™ II. This personal heat monitor is a belt or pocket worn device with a thin, flexible cable leading up to a small ear mold con- taining the sensor and a small speaker [3M]. The QUESTEMP°II personal monitor is intended to be a part of a well-managed heat stress program. It is an alerting device which warns the user that their body temperature has risen above the “safe” level and that action should soon be taken to allow the body to cool. The QUESTEMP°II monitor acts as an aid and does not replace the individuals own feelings and judgment. Many manufacturers produce devices called Personal Alert Safety System (PASS) (see Figure 1), which are designed to signal dangerous situations via an audible alarm. Typically, PASS devices sense movement or lack of movement and activate an alarm signal if the lack of motion exceeds a specific time period. The loud alarm signal alerts other personnel that a firefighter has become incapacitated and it helps to guide rescue person- nel to the location of the incapacitated firefighter. Parameters and testing of some of these devices are described at NIST Interagency/Internal Report [BRYNER 2005]. Figure 1. Different PASS devices from various manufacturers. 3 TECHNICAL SOLUTION The output of this project is a functional sample of the system for monitoring thermal exposure of firemen and rescuers, ad- justed for tests in simulated and laboratory conditions. This monitoring system must meet the following requirements: The device is able to measure external (from -20 to +400 °C) and internal (up to 50 °C) thermal exposure of person’s clothing and body and to archive the measured values for the subsequent analysis. In case of exceeding of the pre-set values, it will warn the person in an appropriate way about reaching this state (this is the primary purpose of the system). The device must fit in protective clothing breast pocket, weighs less than 300 g, and works within the temperature range from -20 °C to +50 °C. In electronics design the intrinsic safety is implemented, which enable to use the system also in explosion hazard areas includ- ing coal mines. The device must be customizable for individual persons, must provide data logging for potential off-line analy- sis and must be extendable by additional external sensors – like heart rate Bluetooth sensor. The system was developed in two basic variants – a simpler and cheaper one without intrinsic safety and another one with it. The output in the area of intellectual property protection will be a submitted patent application. At the end of this project, testing of a few samples by a particular fire brigade was real- ized.