To determine safe working conditions in emergency situations at petro-chemical plants in the Netherlands a study was performed on three protective clothing combinations (operator's, firefighter's and aluminized). The clothing was evaluated at four different heat radiation levels (3.0, 4.6, 6.3 and 10.0 k∙W∙m-2) in standing and walking posture with a thermal manikin RadMan™. Time till pain threshold (43°C) is set as a cut-off criterion for regular activities. Operator's clothing did not fulfil requirements to serve as protective clothing for necessary activities at heat radiation levels above 1.5 k∙W∙m-2 as was stated earlier by Den Hartog and Heus1). With firefighter's clothing it was possible to work almost three min up to 4.6 k∙W∙m-2. At higher heat radiation levels firefighter's clothing gave insufficient protection and aluminized clothing should be used. Maximum working times in aluminized clothing at 6.3 k∙W∙m-2 was about five min. At levels of 10.0 k∙W∙m-2 (emergency conditions) emergency responders should move immediately to lower heat radiation levels.
Keywords: Exposure; Heat radiation; Protective clothing; Skin temperature; Tolerance time.