Design and Product Development

Developing a Novel PPE Turnout Coat with an Embedded Active Cooling System and Evaluating Firefighters’ Performance Satisfaction

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Abstract

Firefighters operate in extreme thermal conditions, and conventional turnout gear provides limited mitigation against internal heat buildup. This study, conducted in collaboration with design, engineering, medical, and industry partners, developed a novel turnout coat integrating a CNT-enhanced liner and an active cooling system housed in a detachable core guard. Using 3D body scanning and manual measurements, 24 sized prototype coats were produced with overlapping size categories to accommodate 28 firefighters. Performance evaluations in static and dynamic postures showed that the CNT liner without the cooling system was perceived as the most comfortable and mobile, while the full cooling system provided meaningful heat-relief benefits despite added bulk. Firefighter feedback guided iterative refinements to improve usability of the cooling system. Overall, the findings demonstrate strong user acceptance of CNT-integrated designs and highlight the potential for scalable production and enhanced thermal comfort in future live-burn testing. 

Keywords: Firefighter PPE, Turnout Coat Prototyping, Carbon Nanotube (CNT), Active Cooling Apparatus, Performance Assessment

How to Cite:

Kim, M., Kubley, A., Wu, I., Cooley, C., Fang, Q., Giri, P., Schulz, M. & Shanov, V., (2025) “Developing a Novel PPE Turnout Coat with an Embedded Active Cooling System and Evaluating Firefighters’ Performance Satisfaction”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 82(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21766