Burning Man
New version of Pyro-Man, used to test protection for first responders, is not standing still.
You’ve probably heard of Pyro-Man, NC State’s life-size manikin that can handle flash-fire conditions. In its fireproof chamber, Pyro-Man is used to test protective clothing to help keep first responders, the military and industrial workers safe. It was even named “one of the 10 most awesome college labs” by Popular Science magazine.
Get ready for Pyro-Man 2.0. The Wilson College of Textiles has developed a new version, and this one is a fully articulated figure that can move, simulating the actions of a first responder at an active scene.
The change is important in helping to test garments in realistic scenarios, says Shawn Deaton ’95, ’00 MS. Sometimes fabric will be charred but still intact after a fire test, Deaton says, “but if you touch it, it falls apart. There’s no way to know if that fabric is holding up if it is subject to movement.” The new manikin can also simulate air movement between the skin and garment, to find if heat is being pumped in or pumped out.
The new addition — which has its own fireproof chamber — was several years in the making. It comes as the Textile Protection and Comfort Center (TPACC) celebrates 30 years of researching protective garments. And the college is celebrating 125 years since a degree program in textiles education began at NC State.
Deaton says the new, movable Pyro-Man is still technically a prototype but has already been involved in testing for a federal project. And there’s more on the horizon. Deaton says they’re looking at creating a female version. Pyro-Woman, perhaps?
