Analysis of the Flammability and the Mechanical and Electrostatic Discharge Properties of Selected Personal Protective Equipment Used in Oxygen-Enriched Atmosphere in a State of Epidemic Emergency

Adriana Dowbysz (), Bożena Kukfisz (), Dorota Siuta, Mariola Samsonowicz, Andrzej Maranda, Wojciech Kiciński and Wojciech Wróblewski
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Adriana Dowbysz: Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, Bialystok University of Technology, Wiejska 45A Street, 15-351 Bialystok, Poland
Bożena Kukfisz: Faculty of Security Engineering and Civil Protection, The Main School of Fire Service, Slowackiego Street 52/54, 01-629 Warsaw, Poland
Dorota Siuta: Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, 213 Wólczańska Str., 90-924 Lodz, Poland
Mariola Samsonowicz: Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, Bialystok University of Technology, Wiejska 45A Street, 15-351 Bialystok, Poland
Andrzej Maranda: Lukasiewicz Research Network, Institute of Industrial Organic Chemistry, 6 Annopol Str., 03-236 Warsaw, Poland
Wojciech Kiciński: Institute of Chemistry, Military University of Technology, 2 Kaliskiego Str., 00-908 Warsaw, Poland
Wojciech Wróblewski: Internal Security Institute, The Main School of Fire Service, Slowackiego Street 52/54, 01-629 Warsaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 18, 1-12

Abstract: Numerous fires occurring in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the dangers of the existence of an oxygen-enriched atmosphere. At oxygen concentrations higher than 21%, fires spread faster and more vigorously; thus, the safety of healthcare workers and patients is significantly reduced. Personal protective equipment (PPE) made mainly from plastics is combustible and directly affects their safety. The aim of this study was to assess its fire safety in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere. The thermodynamic properties, fire, and burning behavior of the selected PPE were studied, as well as its mechanical and electrostatic discharge properties. Cotton and disposable aprons were classified as combustible according to their LOI values of 17.17% and 17.39%, respectively. Conall Health A (23.37%) and B/C (23.51%) aprons and the Prion Guard suit (24.51%) were classified as self-extinguishing. The cone calorimeter test revealed that the cotton apron ignites the fastest (at 10 s), while for the polypropylene PPE, flaming combustion starts between 42 and 60 s. The highest peak heat release rates were observed for the disposable apron (62.70 kW/m 2 ), Prion Guard suit (61.57 kW/m 2 ), and the cotton apron (62.81 kW/m 2 ). The mean CO yields were the lowest for these PPEs. Although the Conall Health A and B/C aprons exhibited lower pHRR values, their toxic CO yield values were the highest. The most durable fabrics of the highest maximum tensile strength were the cotton apron (592.1 N) and the Prion Guard suit (274.5 N), which also exhibited the lowest electrification capability. Both fabrics showed the best abrasion resistance of 40,000 and 38,000 cycles, respectively. The abrasion values of other fabrics were significantly lower. The research revealed that the usage of PPE made from polypropylene in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere may pose a fire risk.

Keywords: personal protective equipment; COVID-19; oxygen-enriched atmosphere; fire behavior; mechanical properties (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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