Kesler Richard M, Hsiao-Wecksler Elizabeth T, Motl Robert W, Klaren Rachel E, Ensari Ipek, Horn Gavin P
a Fire Service Institute, University of Illinois , Urbana-Champaign , IL , USA.
Ergonomics. 2015;58(1):148-59. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2014.964783. Epub 2014 Oct 17.
To better assess the energy expenditure and exertion of firefighters during simulated firefighting activities, a commercial firefighter self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) facepiece was modified to interface with a portable metabolic monitoring device (Cosmed K4b(2)) while still functioning as a positive pressure SCBA air supply. To validate the device, standard National Fire Protection Association 1981 SCBA function tests were conducted and 14 subjects performed variable-workload assessments using all combinations of two test devices (Cosmed K4b(2) and metabolic cart) and two masks (modified SCBA facepiece and stock manufacturer-supplied breath collection). Metabolic data collected with the Cosmed K4b(2) via the modified facepiece were found to be accurate when compared to a ParvoMedics Truemax 2400 metabolic cart (average per cent difference: 4.6%). This modified facepiece design is suitable for use in metabolic studies requiring the utilisation of an SCBA system. Furthermore, the well-established overestimation of oxygen consumption from the Cosmed K4b(2) system was replicated.
为了更好地评估消防员在模拟灭火活动中的能量消耗和体力消耗，对一款商用消防员自给式呼吸器（SCBA）面罩进行了改装，使其能与便携式代谢监测设备（Cosmed K4b(2)）连接，同时仍作为正压SCBA空气供应装置发挥作用。为验证该设备，进行了标准的美国国家消防协会1981 SCBA功能测试，14名受试者使用两种测试设备（Cosmed K4b(2)和代谢推车）以及两种面罩（改装后的SCBA面罩和制造商提供的标准呼吸收集面罩）的所有组合进行了可变工作量评估。与ParvoMedics Truemax 2400代谢推车相比，通过改装面罩使用Cosmed K4b(2)收集的代谢数据被发现是准确的（平均百分比差异：4.6%）。这种改装后的面罩设计适用于需要使用SCBA系统的代谢研究。此外，还重现了Cosmed K4b(2)系统对氧气消耗的高估情况。
