Space Technologies A Hot Topic For National Fire Protection Association

HUNTSVILLE, ALA. – NASA, represented by the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in Quincy, Mass., have signed an agreement to transfer technologies derived from the space program to achieve greater safety for firefighters and the public.

“This unique project will open a broad avenue of communication between NASA and fire services in the United States,” said Gary O. Tokle, NFPA assistant vice president for public fire protection. “Together,” he said, “the two organizations will endeavor to learn how the fire services can apply promising space-age technologies to the field. Our intention is to evaluate technologies that can serve to reduce firefighter injuries and fatalities. We also will explore ways in which technologies designed for the space program can protect the public from fire.”

Ten specific areas for investigation and research have been identified by the FESWG. Paramount on their list is development of a structural integrity monitor. The ability to anticipate the collapse of burning buildings in which firefighters are working would reduce deaths and injuries significantly. It is hoped a system of independently powered sensors can be devised which will provide at least five minutes warning for evacuation of firefighters. While these structural integrity sensors can be installed when firefighters arrive at the fire, sensors also could be installed while buildings are under construction.

A personnel locator system to account for all persons at a fire scene will enable a central site to know the presence and location of emergency services personnel. This ability to trace and locate personnel with a three-dimensional coordinate system should contribute to saving lives and reduce injuries. Coupled with the structural integrity monitors, these sensors will enable on-scene commanders to direct evacuation of emergency services personnel in the safest manner. It is hoped a system can be devised which can be installed and operational with 15 minutes of firefighters arriving on the scene.

Third in priority is a vehicle-mounted transponder package to track vehicles carrying hazardous materials. A pilot program is being planned for the Gary-Chicago-Milwaukee Corridor Project.

Development of a vital signs monitor and transmitter to be worn by all emergency services personnel operating in extreme conditions, high heat, smoke, dangerous chemicals and stress will relay information to a central location for monitoring. Personnel thus can be evacuated before becoming physically incapacitated or be identified as having become incapacitated and requiring rescue.

The development and adoption of advanced materials for fire suits is fifth on the list. Current vapor-protective suits for hazardous chemical emergencies require the use of multiple garments and garment materials for potential flash fire situations. A single suit/material that provides protection against exposure to hazardous chemicals and a flash fire environment, yet still maintains acceptable standards of protection and affordability, is the goal.

An urban search and rescue emitter is sought for wear by citizens in earthquake prone areas such as the Pacific rim states and the New Madrid Fault in the central United States. Persons trapped in structures can be located and extracted quickly once their presence was established by the emitter.

A thermal sensing system is sought for installation in new construction. The sensor array will detect fires hidden in the walls and other inaccessible areas, and will be connected to present alarm systems. Also on the list is a requirement to provide on-the-spot identification of unknown materials which may present a hazard to emergency services personnel. The present method of obtaining a sample and sending it to a laboratory for identification is unacceptable in an emergency situation. The sensor will be optimized to quickly identify the 1,600 chemicals approved by the Department of Transportation for commercial transport in the United States, with priority given to those materials specified by the Chicago Fire Department as most likely to be encountered and posing the greatest hazard.

Also on the firefighters’ list is a type of helmet that can be worn inside an encapsulated suit to provide heads-up information, personal communication, and a control capability.

The final item to be developed will be a remote sensor to determine the temperature of a standing wall without actually touching the surface by hand. The battery-operated thermal sensor will indicate to firefighters whether there is a fire present behind the wall.

The NFPA will provide consultation to support work already under way at the Marshall Center with several U.S. fire departments. “NFPA brings to the table the capability of providing a broad base of fire service interest and input, particularly by using NFPA technical committees to review proposals and offer recommendations,” Tokle said, adding that “we are looking forward to launching this joint endeavor with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.”

The project has begun and will continue through the year 2002.