1. TPP (Thermal Protective Performance) Test Device
2. RPP (Radiant Protective Performance) Test Device

The TPP device includes two propane burners and a 9-bulb quartz infrared heat lamp assembly to generate the heat profile, while the RPP uses a 5-bulb quartz lamp array.

Both devices were developed to measure the time elapsed for convective and/or radiant heat to penetrate through a protective composite fabric system – resulting in damage to human skin. The new TPP and RPP models include features not available in units built by other manufacturers, such as automatic (or manual) test operation, support for up to three copper disk calorimeter sensor assemblies, and an integrated air-cooled sensor stand that quickly prepares calorimeter sensors for next test. The TPP’s propane burner system includes flame detection auto ignition, plus a mass flow controller and panel for monitoring gas pressure and usage. A tinted acrylic shield (not shown) protects the operator, while software safety interlocks monitor water flow, carriage position, and burner ignition.

During testing, our ThermDAC control software will continuously record and display a real-time graph of the average temperature rise, depicted as a curved line representing higher and higher temperatures as heat penetrates through the composite fabric materials to the sensor. After the test is completed, the results are automatically compared to Stoll’s curve, which represents the blister point of human skin as a function of heat and time. The point of intersection between these two curves provides the composite fabric’s TPP (or RPP) rating.

The TPP complies with the NFPA 2112, ASTM F2700, ASTM F2703, and ISO 17492 test standards. The RPP complies with ASTM F1939 and F2702.

To learn more about these new products, go to TPP Product Page or RPP Product Page.

Ministry researchers had been try to secure funding for NEMO since 2006, but after years of negotiations things came together quickly in late 2009 and, by February 15th, we had an order in-hand along with an extremely challenging delivery date. Because of government procurement regulations associated with the end of Japan’s fiscal year, MTNW engineers had to design, build, test, and ship a custom 50th percentile (Japanese Male) sweating NEMO system in less than 14 weeks!

I’m not kidding when I say that our Japanese agents (IDS) and the whole MTNW team went into overdrive on this project. Thanks to everyone’s efforts we successfully met the deadline and last week’s installation went very smoothly. Now the customer is happy, our agent is happy, and we’re happy. Dazed and more than a little bit tired… but happy.

This non-thermal manikin system features our popular 50th percentile Western or Asian male body form along with the addition of high-accuracy surface-mounted sensors to evaluate the environmental comfort conditions of automotive passenger cabins.

An integrated matrix of sensors measures air velocity, air temperature, radiant heat flux, and relative humidity. Wireless communication capability is included, and each manikin separates into upper and lower halves at the waist for easy insertion into a variety of vehicles. Newton is a fully jointed manikin, and this model is built with shoulder joints that allow the manikin’s elbows to move in or out from the torso, reflecting a range of typical driver positions.

Mitten-shaped manikin hands in a curved, gripping shape allow for easy positioning of the hands onto the vehicle steering wheel. Their shape does not impact air movement, but permits airflow similar to that of a human grip/fist. Thigh backs are flattened to simulate seat compression, for more realistic airflow patterns.

The ambient sensor matrix includes:

60 – Custom airflow/velocity/temperature sensors, developed by MTNW for this specific application. Protective caps are included for use during vehicle installation or storage. Measurement range:

• -20°C to +70°C
• +/- 1.0°C calibrated accuracy
• +/- 0.1°C resolution
• Airflow rates: 0.1-5.0 M/sec
• Temperature compensated from -20°C to +70°C

30 – Thermal radiation sensors, each mounted in a protective recess with the sensor at skin level. Measurement range is from near zero to >3,000 W/m², 1-20 um wavelength.

5 – Relative humidity sensors, 0 to 95% RH, non-condensing.

Interested in having one or two, or four of your own? No problem – we can build more!

In this new test device, a horizontally or vertically positioned fabric specimen is exposed to a radiant heat source (producing an energy output similar to the spectral density of a structural fire) for a fixed period of time. During exposure a data collection sensor, positioned above the innermost surface of the test sample, measures the heat energy transmitted through the fabric. At the end of the exposure time, the fabric specimen is then compressed against the data collection sensor, which continues to measure the heat energy stored within the sample – as per the recently-approved ASTM standard: ASTM F2731 Standard Test Method for Measuring the Transmitted and Stored Energy of Firefighter Protective Clothing Systems. The total energy transmitted and stored by the fabric specimen is used to predict whether a second degree burn injury will occur. If a second degree burn injury is predicted, the time to a second degree burn injury is reported.

MTNW’s exclusive Stored Energy Test Device includes a radiant heat source, specimen holder, sensor assembly, transfer tray with water-cooled carriage, pneumatically-actuated compressor assembly, data acquisition/control system, and PC with burn damage analysis software. You know you want one, so give us a call for more details and a price quote.

MTNW Service Bulletin

Sweating Manikin Fluid System Storage and Flushing Procedures

Long-term storage of water systems, even with high purity water, can result in bacterial growth and a resulting biofilm on all wetted surfaces. Studies have demonstrated significant bacterial activity within 7 days in a high-purity closed system. The large number of variables affecting this phenomenon, including supply water purity, existing bacterial content of water system, ambient temperature, and wetted materials, can make each location unique.

MTNW’s sweating manikin systems meet many of the criteria for promoting bacterial growth. The sealed design of MTNW’s fluid system does not permit reliable purging of the internal tubes, so the system remains wetted throughout its service life. The flowrates are low and often stagnant during non-sweating operation. Water recirculates through the system, so any bacterial content developed in the manikin tubes gets returned to the reservoir. Adding more high-purity water to the reservoir does not eliminate any existing biological activity.

The maintenance procedures outlined below are intended to minimize/reduce bacterial growth, and also offer a shock treatment to systems for periodic cleaning. NOTE: All supply water should be deionized or distilled high purity water.

If you will be USING the manikin sweating system AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK:

1. Fully drain and rinse out the manikin fluid reservoir with supply water
2. Refill reservoir with supply water
3. Unplug recirculation (black) tube from reservoir and route it to a drain or collection bucket
4. Turn on the fluid pump and allow it to run for 10 minutes to purge the old water from the system
5. Top off the reservoir and resume testing

If you will be STORING the manikin or not operating the fluid system (re: non-sweating tests) for MORE THAN ONE WEEK:

1. Remove the wicking fabric sweating suit
2. Add 5 liters of supply water to empty reservoir
3. Add 1 ml of unscented household bleach and shake the reservoir to mix and coat the inside surfaces (this will result in approximately 10 PPM sodium hypochlorite solution)
4. With the manikin tubing fully connected, turn on the fluid pump and allow it to run for 10 minutes, recirculating this solution through the closed system.
5. Set all the manikin sweat rates to 2000 ml/hr/m2, and allow the system to sweat for 10 minutes.
6. The system can now be stored for up to 2 months containing this solution
7. Prior to running sweating tests, repeat this procedure with fresh supply water to purge chlorine from the system

Every TWO MONTHS as preventative maintenance or as a special one-time shock treatment after storage:

1. Very important – Long-term exposure to sodium hypochlorite can degrade internal manikin system components. Do not allow bleach solution to remain inside the manikin system for more then 10 minutes.
2. Caution – This process uses bleach with a concentration which could possibly discolor fabrics or cause staining. Use colorfast or white absorbent pad and towels for this procedure. Wear eye protection.
3. Remove the wicking fabric sweating suit and place an absorbent pad beneath manikin to catch runoff
4. Add 5 liters of supply water to empty reservoir
5. Add 100 ml of unscented household bleach and shake the reservoir to mix and coat the inside surfaces (this will result in approximately 1000 PPM sodium hypochlorite solution)
6. With the manikin tubing fully connected, turn on the fluid pump and allow it to run for 5 minutes, recirculating this solution through the closed system.
7. Set all the manikin sweat rates to 2000 ml/hr/m2, and allow the system to sweat for 5 minutes.
8. Set sweat rates back to 0 ml/hr/m2 and quickly blot the manikin dry with a colorfast cloth and turn off fluid pump
9. Immediately drain and rinse reservoir, and refill with clean supply water
10. Unplug recirculation (black) tube from reservoir and route it to a drain or collection bucket
11. Turn on the fluid pump and allow it to run for 5 minutes to purge the system
12. Set all the manikin sweat rates to 2000 ml/hr/m2, and allow the system to sweat for 5 minutes.
13. Set sweat rates back to 0 and blot manikin dry with colorfast cloth
14. Allow the pump to run for an additional 10 minutes, flushing water out the recirculation (black) tube.
15. Begin using the manikin for sweating tests within one week, or follow the previously mentioned storage procedure

Our engineers love custom projects, and for this application they envisioned a waterproof thermal hand system where the hand form was attached to a sealed control enclosure box not much bigger than the manikin’s forearm diameter. Exiting this box would be one or two cables for power and serial communications. In use, the glove being tested would be placed on the hand, and the whole assembly – manikin and control enclosure box – would be immersed in the test tank with cables exiting the water and connecting to the system’s power enclosure and laptop computer.

No word yet if we’ll have the chance to build this device, but I mention it as an example of our interest in custom projects. If you’ve got a project or know of a project that falls outside the standard range of thermal testing equipment – let us know. MTNW got its start back in 1986 creating customized thermal systems, and we still look forward to those opportunities that either push the envelope or lead us in new directions.