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Development and Implementation of an Improved Fire Shelter for Wildland Firefighters

Development and Implementation of an Improved Fire Shelter for Wildland Firefighters. Leslie Anderson USDA Forest Service Missoula Technology and Development Center. Standard Fire Shelter. Developed in 1960s Laminate of fiberglass and aluminum foil Designed to reflect radiant heat

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Development and Implementation of an Improved Fire Shelter for Wildland Firefighters

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  1. Development and Implementation of an Improved Fire Shelter for Wildland Firefighters Leslie Anderson USDA Forest Service Missoula Technology and Development Center

  2. Standard Fire Shelter • Developed in 1960s • Laminate of fiberglass and aluminum foil • Designed to reflect radiant heat • Rapidly damaged by flames

  3. Standard Fire Shelter • Deployed more than 1,100 times • ½ Precautionary • ¼ Prevented serious burns • ¼ Saved life of occupant • Approximately 20 fatalities

  4. Fire Shelter Development • 1999: Discovery of potential flammability Response: • New training materials • January 2000 –MTDC is asked to develop new shelter

  5. Goals for New Fire Shelter • Maintain protection in radiant heat • Improve protection in flames • Also consider: • Strength • Durability • Weight/Bulk • Toxicity • Flammability • Cost

  6. Performance Test Development • Reliable performance tests needed • MTDC collected fire environment data • Contracted for test development

  7. Performance Tests • Strength • Durability • Flammability • Thermal Protection • Toxicity

  8. Shelter Design • Substantial interest from private industry • Fully designed shelters were tested as received • Other materials were sewn into design developed at MTDC

  9. MTDC Shelter Design • More efficient use of material • Shape to minimize absorption of radiant heat • Allows person to lie prone

  10. MTDC Shelter Design (continued) • Rounder shape • Rounded ends scatter radiant heat

  11. Selection Process: Small-scale Tests • 40 materials • Small-scale thermal tests • Strength • Flammability • Toxicity

  12. Selection Process:Full-scale Tests • 17 material combinations • Radiant tests • Direct flame tests • Durability tests • Shake tests • Toxicity tests

  13. Selection Process • Peer Review of Test Methods • 10 Options Presented • Selection made June 7, 2002 by Federal Fire and Aviation Leadership Council

  14. New Generation Fire Shelter • Two laminated layers • Rounded shape • Shake handles • 4.2 pounds (1.9 kg) • Seams for structure – and to limit damage.

  15. Materials • Outer Layer: Woven silica and foil • Inner Layer: Fiberglass and foil

  16. Performance in Radiant Heat

  17. Performance in Radiant Heat

  18. Performance in Direct Flame

  19. Performance in Direct Flame

  20. Training • Video/DVD and Booklet: “The New Generation Fire Shelter” • New practice fire shelter • MTDC Tech Tip: “New Generation Fire Shelter Developed for Wildland Firefighters”

  21. Training: (continued) • Keep focus on avoiding situations that lead to entrapment. • New shelter is not an excuse to take risks.

  22. Transition • Expensive • 3-5 year transition

  23. Questions?

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