A Study Using Infra Red Thermography of Clothing Assemblies for Use by Personnel Working Beneath Operating Helicopters,
Abstract
With exposure to the down-draught of a hovering helicopter the surface temperatures of various garment assemblies has been compared, using infra red thermography and the Interim Assembly has been shown to have lowest surface temperature indicating its suitability at heat retention by the body. The surface temperatures observed are seen to be much more uniform in the down-draught than in 'still air' conditions. Thermography reveals the local hot spots over garment assemblies worn in 'still air' conditions. These are the areas where the heat loss will be greatest both in the 'still air' and also when the subjects are exposed to high velocity winds. The very warm areas over the face have been demonstrated in all of the garment assemblies. With the high heat loss coefficients previously measured beneath hovering helicopters, these areas could account for up to 40% of the total body heat loss. Underneath a hovering helicopter an excess temperature of 1 C over any garment assembly can increase heat loss from a subject by upwards of 80 W/m2. This indicates the sensitivity of heat loss to excess temperature in these environments and emphasises the importance of adequate and uniform insulating properties of the garment assembly.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA035966
Entities
People
- B. J. Mullan
- M. R. Goff
- R. P. Clark