NTL Record

Title The optical properties of smoke-protective devices.
Record ID 39363
Personal Name
Creator
Vaughan, John A.
Publisher Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
Publication Date 19781000
Language English
Abstract Optical properties of 13 smoke-protective devices were determined. The devices tested comprised 8 goggles and 5 fullface oxygen masks (3 rigid one-piece masks and 2 flexible hoods). Those properties evaluated were: (i) light transmission, (ii) optical haze, (iii) prismatic deviation, (iv) refractive power, (v) optical distortion, and (vi) surface curvature. Data were compared with optical requirements formulated by USA Standard USAS Z 87.1 and Military Specification MIL-L-38169(USAF). All clear transparencies met or exceeded standards for light transmission, and all but one (an experimental hood) met the standards for optical haze. All but 2 of 11 devices exceeded standards for spherical refractive power. Three fullface masks and two goggles with steep surface curvatures did not meet the optical requirements for prismatic deviation. Only 4 of 11 devices evaluated by a photographic method attained the standard for optical distortion; however, when the criterion of visible distortion was employed, as outlined in the military specification, 9 of the 11 devices conformed to the standard. Optical anomalies may be caused by facepiece configuration and surface curvature found in some of the smoke-protective devices.
Rosap ID dot:21151
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/21151
TRT Terms Protective clothing; Breathing apparatus; Smoke; Vision; Peripheral vision; Depth perception; Light transmission; Haze; Optical distortion; Curvature; Refractive materials; Evaluation; Optical properties; Optical lenses
General Subjects Safety goggles--Optical properties--Testing; Gas masks--Optical properties--Testing; Peripheral visual acuity; Visual acuity; Depth perception; Ophthalmic lenses
Classification NTL - AVIATION - Aviation Safety/Airworthiness;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Aviation Safety/Airworthiness;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Human Factors
Geographical
Coverage
United States
Report Number FAA-AM-78-41; DOT/FAA/AM-78/41
Resource type Tech Report
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/39000/39300/39363/AM78-41.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository