Visual, Volumetric and Anthropometric Measurement Comparisons Between Boot Interior and 3D Foot Scans to Improve Female Firefighter Safety

Abstract

In 2016, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimated that 62,085 injuries occurred in the line of duty. Haynes and Stein (2017) further reported that a U.S. firefighter injury is reported every eight minutes. Many of these injuries can be attributed to poorly fitting and functioning turnout gear, especially boots. When boots fail to fit appropriately, the firefighter can be in danger of losing proprioception, getting burned, slipping and tripping. This pilot study developed a method using techniques from the industrial design field to capture the interior of a common fire boot, to then compare it to 3D female firefighter foot scans. Visual, volumetric, and anthropometric measures were analyzed to make recommendations on how manufacturers could improve boot fit for firefighters.

Keywords: Industrial Design, Footwear, Firefighting

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1002020