The University of Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) has been awarded a two year $300,000 grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The research will characterize the impact of recent changes in NFPA 1981 on properties of the self- contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) mask material, particularly after they are repeatedly exposed to common fireground thermal conditions. Along with collaborators in the Mechanical Science and Engineering Department at Illinois, the study will also include the development of a method to characterize the risk of inhaling chemicals that off-gas from SCBA when exposed to fireground conditions.
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The IFSI’s project, “Mechanical properties and off-gassing characteristics of new and legacy SCBA facepieces: Effect of repeated moderate-intensity radiant exposure,” received this grant from NIST, which is a federal technology agency that works with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements and standards.
A comprehensive study will be conducted on the repeated moderate-intensity radiant fireground exposures of NFPA 1981 (2013) compliant SCBA facepieces on mechanical strength, thermal performance and face piece off-gassing. IFSI researchers will then compare data from the current NFPA-compliant SCBA face pieces to those from previous (2007) generations to determine improvements and changes for firefighter protection. “The intent is to increase our knowledge of how SCBA face pieces may perform after extended use and exposure to thermal conditions that will ultimately help keep firefighters safer on the fireground,” Dr. Gavin Horn, Director of IFSI’s research program said.
The extensive research and data of this two year project will be packaged to help inform the NFPA 1981 standard committee. It will further be broadly disseminated to the fire service in order to increase understanding of the capabilities and limitations of common SCBA materials.
The Illinois Fire Service Institute is the statutory State Fire Academy for Illinois. In addition to training provided at its Champaign campus, the Institute offers one-day hands-on classes for fire departments at Regional Training Centers and local fire stations across the State. The mission of the Illinois Fire Service Institute is to help firefighters do their work through training, education, information and research.
For more information about the Institute’s research, please call 217-265-6563 or visit www.fsi.illinois.edu.
