Protective Measures for Firefighters Exposed to Hydrogen Fire and Explosion Hazards

Hydrogen fires and explosions in confined spaces involve significant hazards that severely restrict firefighting and rescue operations. Under such conditions, conventional structural-fire protection equipment is often ineffective to ensure responder safety. This study analyzes the combined hazards of high-temperature flames, intense blast waves, and debris generated during hydrogen explosions in confined environments and underscores the necessity of developing protective measures to safeguard firefighters. Experimental results showed that a mannequin equipped with protective gear altered the propagation paths of blast waves and flames, effectively suppressing flame expansion. Under fully confined conditions, strong reflected overpressures and extensive concrete fragment scattering were observed, indicating that hydrogen explosions can lead to severe structural damage and increase the risk of its collapse. These findings emphasize the need to develop dedicated protective systems to enhance firefighter safety during hydrogen explosion incidents.