The design of fire retardant textile products: An exploration of design characteristics

The design of fire retardant textile products: An exploration of design characteristics

BOORADY, Lynn M.; LIN, Shu-Hwa

Article:

This study examined the processes involved in the design of fire retardant textile products with an emphasis upon processes undertaken by designers’ who are committed to a design for career and volunteer fire fighters. Qualitative and quantitative research was undertaken with career and volunteer firefighters in mainland United States, Hawaii and Taiwan. Analysis revealed the need for a garment less bulky than traditional bunker gear and yet still protective at a fire scene. Researchers followed the six themes or stages in the design process for protective apparel: resources and research, consumer need, inspiration, creative exploration, product samples, and design completion. Prototypes were developed based on the information gathered through research and the design process. Application of the resulting garment is expected in lower risk environments (vehicle accidents, extraction) or by officers who are not expected to enter a structure fire but must be present at the fire scene.

This study examined the processes involved in the design of fire retardant textile products with an emphasis upon processes undertaken by designers’ who are committed to a design for career and volunteer fire fighters. Qualitative and quantitative research was undertaken with career and volunteer firefighters in mainland United States, Hawaii and Taiwan. Analysis revealed the need for a garment less bulky than traditional bunker gear and yet still protective at a fire scene. Researchers followed the six themes or stages in the design process for protective apparel: resources and research, consumer need, inspiration, creative exploration, product samples, and design completion. Prototypes were developed based on the information gathered through research and the design process. Application of the resulting garment is expected in lower risk environments (vehicle accidents, extraction) or by officers who are not expected to enter a structure fire but must be present at the fire scene.

Palavras-chave:

DOI: 10.5151/despro-icdhs2016-04_005

Referências bibliográficas

• [1] National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 1971 Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, 2013 Edition.
• [2] National Fire Agency. (2008) Ministry of the Interior. Retrieved June 15, 2015 from http://www.nfa.gov.tw/main/index.aspx?ID=2.
• [3] United States Fire Administration. In Fire Statistics: Firefighters, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2015 from http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/10_fatality_summary.pdf.
• [4] Zoltek. (N.D.) Information sheet on Pyron®. Retrieved June 1, 2015 from http://zoltek.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Information-Sheet-Pyron.pdf.

Como citar:

BOORADY, Lynn M.; LIN, Shu-Hwa; "The design of fire retardant textile products: An exploration of design characteristics", p-329-332. In: Wong, Wendy Siuyi; Kikuchi, Yuko & Lin, Tingyi (Eds.). <strong>Making Trans/National Contemporary Design History [=ICDHS 2016 – 10th Conference of the International Committee for Design History & Design Studies]</strong>. São Paulo: Blucher, 2016.
ISSN 23186968, DOI 10.5151/despro-icdhs2016-04_005