ASTM F2668-16

Standard Practice for Determining the Physiological Responses of the Wearer to Protective Clothing Ensembles

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice can be used for the evaluation of the physiological response of a user to protective clothing ensembles worn under controlled conditions.  
4.1.1 This practice utilizes a treadmill for the exercise protocol. This method is believed to be appropriate for the evaluation of the majority of protective clothing ensembles, especially where the user will be walking or performing similar activities. In certain situations, where a protective clothing ensemble is designed to be worn where the user is performing specialized functions (for example, sitting or standing with only arm movement), alternate exercise equipment (for example, arm cycle-ergonometer) or exercise protocols should be considered for use in determining the physiological response of the subject.  
4.1.2 Where evaluations include the use of Personal Cooling Systems refer to Test Method F2300.  
4.2 This practice establishes general procedures for the physiological evaluation based on the physiological measurement of core temperature, mean skin temperature, heart rate, exposure time, oxygen consumption, and whole body sweat rate.  
4.2.1 The data obtained can be used to evaluate the overall physiological response of the test participant while wearing a protective clothing ensemble.  
4.2.2 The data may also be used in the research and development of advanced ensembles that are designed to reduce the physiological strain on the wearer thereby reducing the potential injury (for example, heat injury) associated with wearing the protective clothing ensemble. Workers may be able to wear a protective clothing ensemble for a longer duration due to a reduction in the physiological strain.  
4.2.3 The data can also be used to compare similar classes of ensembles and can be used to evaluate protective clothing ensembles as a hazard to the wearer as compared to a baseline ensemble.  
4.2.4 In addition, the practice could also be used by consensus standards organizations in the development of physi...
SCOPE
1.1 This practice specifies the test equipment and procedures for determining the physiological responses of subjects wearing a protective clothing ensemble.  
1.2 This practice covers the physiological measurement of internal body core temperature, skin temperature, exposure time, heart rate response, oxygen consumption, and whole body sweat rate, to assess the physiological responses of subjects wearing a protective clothing ensemble. This practice does not measure the musculoskeletal strain on the participant imposed by the protective clothing ensemble.  
1.2.1 To increase safety during physiological testing, this dynamic test requires the use of human participants who meet specific health and physical fitness requirements.  
1.3 The present standard does not attempt to determine important clothing characteristics, such as thermal insulation and evaporative resistance of the protective clothing ensemble. Test Methods F1291 and F2370 can be used for these clothing measurements.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 It is the responsibility of the test laboratory to obtain the necessary and appropriate approval(s) required by their institution for conducting tests using human participants.  
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user, and the testing institution, to consult and establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use of this standard.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2016
• ICS: 13.340.10 - Protective clothing
• Technical Committee: F23 - Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment
• Drafting Committee: F23.60 - Human Factors

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: F2668 − 16
Standard Practice for
Determining the Physiological Responses of the Wearer to
1
Protective Clothing Ensembles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2668; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Protective clothing ensembles such as firefighter turnout gear, HAZMAT suits, and bomb suits may
impose a physiological strain on the wearer. This strain can take the form of heat stress and
cardiovascular and respiratory strain, which can result in injury to the wearer. This practice provides
information on the measurement of the physiological responses of a wearer to a protective clothing
ensemble. The protocol is designed to allow comparisons of the physiological responses of subjects
wearingdifferentprotectiveclothingensemblesofthesametype(forexample,firefighterturnoutgear)
and from different types (for example, firefighter ensemble vs. HAZMAT suit).
1. Scope 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This practice specifies the test equipment and proce-
responsibility of the user, and the testing institution, to consult
dures for determining the physiological responses of subjects
and establish appropriate safety and health practices and
wearing a protective clothing ensemble.
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to
1.2 This practice covers the physiological measurement of
use of this standard.
internal body core temperature, skin temperature, exposure
time, heart rate response, oxygen consumption, and whole
2. Referenced Documents
body sweat rate, to assess the physiological responses of
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
subjects wearing a protective clothing ensemble. This practice
F1291 Test Method for Measuring the Thermal Insulation of
does not measure the musculoskeletal strain on the participant
Clothing Using a Heated Manikin
imposed by the protective clothing ensemble.
F1494 Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
1.2.1 To increase safety during physiological testing, this
F2300 Test Method for Measuring the Performance of Per-
dynamic test requires the use of human participants who meet
sonal Cooling Systems Using Physiological Testing
specific health and physical fitness requirements.
F2370 Test Method for Measuring the Evaporative Resis-
1.3 The present standard does not attempt to determine
tance of Clothing Using a Sweating Manikin
important clothing characteristics, such as thermal insulation 3
2.2 Other Standards:
and evaporative resistance of the protective clothing ensemble.
ISO 8996 Ergonomics—Determination of Metabolic Heat
Test Methods F1291 and F2370 can be used for these clothing
Production
measurements.
ISO 9886 Ergonomics—Evaluation of Thermal Strain by
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as Physiological Measurements
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
The Commission for Thermal Physiology of the Interna-
standard. tional Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS Thermal
Commission)—Glossary of Terms for Thermal Physiol-
1.5 It is the responsibility of the test laboratory to obtain the
4
ogy
necessary and appropriate approval(s) required by their insti-
tution for conducting tests using human participants.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F23 on Personal contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
F23.60 on Human Factors. the ASTM website.
3
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2016. Published December 2016. Originally Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
approved in 2007. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as F2668 - 07(2011). 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
4
DOI:10.1520/F2668-16. The Japanese Journal of Physiology, Vol. 51, No. 2, 2001.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F2668 − 16
3. Terminology 3.1.10 thermal strain, n—anydeviationofbodytemperature
induced by sustained thermal stress that cannot be fully
3.1 Definitions:
compensated by temperature regulation.
3.1.1 acclimation, n—physiological adaptations occurring
3.1.10.1 Discussion—Thermal strain results in the activa-
within an organism, which reduce the
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F2668 − 07 (Reapproved 2011) F2668 − 16
Standard Practice for
Determining the Physiological Responses of the Wearer to
1
Protective Clothing Ensembles
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2668; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Protective clothing ensembles such as firefighter turnout gear, HAZMAT suits, and bomb suits may
impose a physiological strain on the wearer. This strain can take the form of heat stress and
cardiovascular and respiratory strain, which can result in injury to the wearer. This practice provides
information on the measurement of the physiological responses of a wearer to a protective clothing
ensemble. The protocol is designed to allow comparisons of the physiological responses of subjects
wearing different protective clothing ensembles of the same type (for example, firefighter turnout gear)
and from different types (for example, firefighter ensemble vs. HAZMAT suit).
1. Scope
1.1 This practice specifies the test equipment and procedures for determining the physiological responses of subjects wearing
a protective clothing ensemble.
1.2 This practice covers the physiological measurement of internal body core temperature, skin temperature, exposure time,
heart rate response, oxygen consumption, and whole body sweat rate, to assess the physiological responses of subjects wearing a
protective clothing ensemble. This practice does not measure the musculoskeletal strain on the participant imposed by the
protective clothing ensemble.
1.2.1 To increase safety during physiological testing, this dynamic test requires the use of human participants who meet specific
health and physical fitness requirements.
1.3 The present standard does not attempt to determine important clothing characteristics, such as thermal insulation and
evaporative resistance of the protective clothing ensemble. Test Methods F1291 and F2370 can be used for these clothing
measurements.
1.4 The values stated in this practice shall be SI units.SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement
are included in this standard.
1.5 It is the responsibility of the test laboratory to obtain the necessary and appropriate approval(s) required by their institution
for conducting tests using human participants.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user, and the testing institution, to consult and establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use of this standard.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F1291 Test Method for Measuring the Thermal Insulation of Clothing Using a Heated Manikin
F1494 Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
F2300 Test Method for Measuring the Performance of Personal Cooling Systems Using Physiological Testing
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F23 on Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F23.60
on Human Factors.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2011Oct. 1, 2016. Published March 2012December 2016. Originally approved in 2007. Last previous edition approved in 20072011 as
F2668 - 07.F2668 - 07 DOI:10.1520/F2668-07R11.(2011). DOI:10.1520/F2668-16.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F2668 − 16
F2370 Test Method for Measuring the Evaporative Resistance of Clothing Using a Sweating Manikin
3
2.2 Other Standards:
ISO 8996 Ergonomics—Determination of Metabolic Heat Production
ISO 9886 Ergonomics—Evaluation of Thermal Strain by Physiological Measurements
The Commission for Thermal Physiology of the International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS Thermal Commission)—
4
Glossary of Terms for Thermal Physiology
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 acclimation, n—physiological adaptations occurring within an organism, which reduce
...