Infrared radiation effects on heat loss measured by a thermal manikin wearing protective clothing

The main objective of the EU funded research project THERMPROTECT is to provide basic data and models on "Thermal properties of protective clothing and their use" for improving the assessment of heat stress (3). One work package studies the effects of thermal radiation utilising a stepwise experimental approach comprising flat plate material tests, manikin experiments and human trials. This paper deals with manikin experiments on the effects of far infrared heat radiation (FIR), considering aspects related to the reflectivity of the clothing, the number of clothing layers and the radiated body surface area.