Alleviation of Thermal Strain in Engineering Space Personnel Aboard CF Ships with the Exotemp Personal Cooling System
Abstract
The engineering spaces aboard Canadian Forces (CF) ships operating in warm climate can become very hot working evaluations. Some of these areas, notably the boiler room, are outside the citadel, and personnel working in these areas during periods of chemical threat must wear chemical defence (CD) clothing. The extra insulation and the increased resistance to sweat evaporation of this clothing, coupled with the heat of the environment, can impose a severe heat stress on the engineering personnel. A field trial was conducted aboard the HMCS Ottawa while en route from Halifax to Puerto Rico to see if the Exotemp liquid-based personal cooling system, could alleviate thermal stress under the above simulated conditions. Twelve engine room personnel from three watches participated in the trial, conducting their normal engine-room duties while being monitored for thermal physiological strain in four clothing ensembles: normal work dress (WD); normal work dress with cooling (WC); chemical defence clothing (CD); and chemical defence clothing with cooling (CC). Heat stress conditions of 45-50 C dry-bulb temperature were created. Rectal temperatures at 90 minutes of elapsed time clearly indicated statistically significant benefits of cooling with the chemical defence clothing. Heart rates were generally above 120 bpm without cooling (condition WD and CD) while they generally remained below 120 bpm with cooling (conditions WC and CC).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA242889
Entities
People
- J. Frim
- K. Glass
Organizations
- DRDC Toronto