title: Seat and seatbelt accommodation in fire apparatus: Anthropometric aspects.
abstract: This study developed anthropometric information on U.S. firefighters to guide fire-apparatus seat and seatbelt designs and future standards development. A stratified sample of 863 male and 88 female firefighters across the U.S. participated in the study. The study results suggested 498 mm in width, 404 mm in depth, and 365-476 mm in height for seat pans; 429-522 mm in width and 542 mm in height for seat back; 871 mm in height for head support; a seat space of 733 mm at shoulder and 678 mm at hip; and a knee/leg clearance of 909 mm in fire truck cab. Also, 1520 mm of lap belt web effective length and 2828 mm of lap-and-shoulder belt web effective length were suggested. These data for fire-truck seats and seatbelts provide a foundation for fire apparatus manufacturers and standards committees to improve firefighter seat designs and seatbelt usage compliance.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Morgantown, WV, USA. Electronic address: hxh4@cdc.gov.
authors.forename: Hongwei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.affiliation: Total Contact Inc., Germantown, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whitestone
authors.affiliation: Emergency Vehicle Response, Otisville, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilbur
authors.affiliation: Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association, Lynnfield, MA, USA.
authors.forename: J Roger
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lackore
authors.affiliation: International Association of Fire Chiefs, Fairfax, VA, USA.
authors.forename: J Gordon
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Routley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D061388:Firefighters; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018986:Motor Vehicles / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anthropometry; Firefighter; Seatbelt