1. Development and Implementation of an Improved Fire Shelter for Wildland Firefighters
Leslie Anderson
USDA Forest Service
Missoula Technology and Development Center

2. Standard Fire Shelter Developed in 1960s
Laminate of fiberglass and aluminum foil
Designed to reflect radiant heat
Rapidly damaged by flames

3. Standard Fire Shelter Deployed more than 1,100 times ½ Precautionary
¼ Prevented
serious burns
¼ Saved life
of occupant
Approximately 20 fatalities

4. Fire Shelter Development
1999: Discovery of potential flammability
Response:
New training materials
January 2000 –MTDC is asked to develop new
shelter

5. Goals for New Fire Shelter
Maintain protection in radiant heat
Improve protection in flames
Also consider:
Strength
Durability
Weight/Bulk
Toxicity
Flammability
Cost

6. Performance Test Development
Reliable performance tests needed
MTDC collected fire environment data
Contracted for test development

7. Performance Tests Strength Durability Flammability Thermal Protection
Toxicity

8. Shelter Design Substantial interest from private industry
Fully designed shelters were tested as received
Other materials were sewn into design developed at MTDC

9. MTDC Shelter Design More efficient use of material
Shape to minimize absorption of
radiant heat
Allows person
to lie prone

10. MTDC Shelter Design (continued)
Rounder shape
Rounded ends
scatter radiant heat

11. Selection Process: Small-scale Tests
40 materials
Small-scale thermal tests
Strength
Flammability
Toxicity

12. Selection Process: Full-scale Tests
17 material combinations
Radiant tests
Direct flame
tests
Durability
Shake tests
Toxicity tests

13. Selection Process Peer Review of Test Methods 10 Options Presented
Selection made June 7, 2002 by Federal Fire and Aviation Leadership Council

14. New Generation Fire Shelter
Two laminated
layers
Rounded shape
Shake handles
4.2 pounds
(1.9 kg)
Seams for structure – and to limit damage.

15. Materials Outer Layer: Woven silica and foil
Inner Layer: Fiberglass and foil

16. Performance in Radiant Heat
Temperature Rise
% Reduction
Standard Shelter
97 ºC
----
New Generation Shelter
76 ºC
22%

17. Performance in Radiant Heat
Heat Flux
% Reduction
Standard Shelter
3.7
kW/m2
----
New Generation Shelter
1.5
59%

18. Performance in Direct Flame
Temperature Rise
% Reduction
Standard Shelter
300 ºC
----
New Generation Shelter
57 ºC
81%

19. Performance in Direct Flame
Heat Flux
% Reduction
Standard Shelter
44.1
kW/m2
----
New Generation Shelter
1.3
97%

20. “New Generation Fire Shelter Developed for Wildland Firefighters”
Training
Video/DVD and Booklet:
“The New Generation Fire Shelter”
New practice fire shelter
MTDC Tech Tip:
“New Generation Fire Shelter Developed for Wildland Firefighters”

21. Training: (continued)
Keep focus on avoiding situations that lead to entrapment.
New shelter is not an excuse to take risks.

22. Transition
Expensive
3-5 year transition

23. Questions?