The aim of this project is to design anti-heat stress clothing and evaluate its effectiveness on alleviating heat strain. Based on the results of fabric testing and computer simulation, a newly designed uniform was devised with consideration of the heat-moisture performance of fabrics, garment style, and industry-specific requirements. Quantitative assessment inside a climatic chamber manifested that the new uniform was effective in alleviating thermophysiological and psychological strain during and after exercise. For on-site qualitative assessment, the uniform was considered as cool, dry, and comfortable without impediment of work performance. The new uniform exhibits marked benefits for construction workers.
Special Features and Advantages
• Remarkable heat-moisture performance in terms of fabrics and garment design
• Fabric of the newly designed uniform is lighter, thinner, and provides better UV protection
• The dry-inside technology for one way liquid transferability enables better thermal and moisture properties
• The meshed fabric and meshed reflective strips provide better heat dissipation and evaporation, as well as ensure safety and breathability
• Different designs of the front and the back of the uniform ensure clear identification of whether the construction worker is facing the work station or not
• A remarkable reduction of physiological strain by 16.7% and body heat storage by 28.8% were achieved.
• Overwhelming support by 88% of construction workers (with a sample size of 122) of the new clothing
Applications
• Work uniform for construction workers to alleviate heat stress
• The Construction Industry Council in Hong Kong adopted and produced 20,000 sets of the newly designed uniform for their apprentices in September 2015
• The HKSAR government plans to adopt and specify the newly designed uniform as the standard uniform for all government projects by October 2016
• The study can be used to develop uniforms for other outdoor workers and other countries
Awards
• Gold Medal – 44th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, Switzerland (April 2016)
• Prize of China Delegation of Invention and Innovation, China (April 2016)
• The Innovation Achiever’s Award - CIOB International Innovation & Research Awards 2015, United Kingdom (Feb, 2016)
• Local Grand Prize - CIC Innovation Award 2015, Hong Kong (Dec, 2015)
• Dean’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Technology Transfer 2015, Hong Kong (Nov, 2015)
• The Category F, Research Award - Hong Kong Institute of Project Management Award 2015, Hong Kong (Nov, 2015)
Principal Investigator
Prof. Albert P.C. CHAN
Department of Building and Real Estate
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Contact Details
Institute for Entrepreneurship
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Tel: (852) 3400 2929 Fax: (852) 2333 2410 Email: [email protected]
