Will off-gassing allow chem clothing reuse?

By Al VogelSeptember 24, 2020

AVLAG (Aerosol Vapor Liquid Assessment Group), developed in the 1990s, is still used to challenge swatches, but requires laborious assembly and more personnel than the new SPiTFiRE. Photo by Al Vogel, Dugway Public Affairs
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – AVLAG (Aerosol Vapor Liquid Assessment Group), developed in the 1990s, is still used to challenge swatches, but requires laborious assembly and more personnel than the new SPiTFiRE.
Photo by Al Vogel, Dugway Public Affairs (Photo Credit: US Army/Al Vogel) VIEW ORIGINAL
Components of the new Swatch Permeation Test Fixture, Reengineered (SPiTFiRE) component. Compared to the older AVLAG system, it has more accurate control over temperature and humidity, and is easier to use. A sample of material, called a...
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Components of the new Swatch Permeation Test Fixture, Reengineered (SPiTFiRE) component. Compared to the older AVLAG system, it has more accurate control over temperature and humidity, and is easier to use. A sample of material, called a “swatch” is in in the second cup.
Photo by Al Vogel, Dugway Public Affairs
(Photo Credit: US Army/Al Vogel) VIEW ORIGINAL
Dr. R. Aaron Rogers, Project Scientist for the SPiTFiRE fixture at Dugway Proving Ground, demonstrates the sealed glovebox that encloses SPiTFiRE. Because the glovebox seals so well, much of the time a gas mask is not required....
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Dr. R. Aaron Rogers, Project Scientist for the SPiTFiRE fixture at Dugway Proving Ground, demonstrates the sealed glovebox that encloses SPiTFiRE. Because the glovebox seals so well, much of the time a gas mask is not required.
Photo by Al Vogel, Dugway Public Affairs
(Photo Credit: US Army/Al Vogel) VIEW ORIGINAL
Inside each sealed component of SPiTFiRE is a swatch of material. Chemical agent is disseminated over the material, then halted. Observers then observe the agent's rate of decay to determine if off-gassing to a safely wearable level is...
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Inside each sealed component of SPiTFiRE is a swatch of material. Chemical agent is disseminated over the material, then halted. Observers then observe the agent's rate of decay to determine if off-gassing to a safely wearable level is possible.
Photo by Al Vogel, Dugway Public Affairs (Photo Credit: US Army/Al Vogel) VIEW ORIGINAL

Testing of clothing materials used by the U.S. Air Force to protect aircrews from chemical warfare agents began Sept. 16 at Dugway Proving Ground, to determine if the contaminating agent may be practically off-gassed enough to allow clothing to be safely reused.

The U.S. Air Force Vapor Off-gassing Re-use Test (VORT) is conducted in the SPiTFiRE (Swatch Permeation Test Fixture, Reengineered), a new DPG test fixture that reduces cost of operation and time of setup.

Chemical agent is disseminated across the half-dollar-sized material sample, or swatch, then halted for observers to monitor the rate of chemical agent decay. If off-gassing allows the safe reuse of clothing, then resupply, money, time and effort will all be reduced.

To prove that SPiTFiRE works as required, 18 pilot trials will be conducted with unworn material, faux sweat, and diverse temperatures, humidity, agent type and concentration to the end of 2020. Standard testing begins in early 2021 with fewer combinations over some months.

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