Laboratory test methods are described which use instrumented manikins to obtain realistic assessment of the thermal protective performance of heat resistant garments in exposure to intense heat such as generated in flash fire accidents. One system, called the Thermo-Man^® evaluation system, provides evaluation of thermal protection of a full clothing system in a stationary configuration. The other system, the Thermo-Leg evaluation system, provides assessment of the ability of clothing materials to protect the wearer under realistic simulation of running motion similar to a victim escaping a flash fire accident. Both systems use sophisticated heat sensing instrumentation to provide substantial information on the ability of garment materials to protect against 2nd and 3rd degree burn injury. They also provide a visual means of evaluating the distribution of the burn injury on the human body. The utility of these full-scale test methods is demonstrated in experiments that compare the thermal protective performance of selected garments made of Kevlar^® and Nomex^® aramid fibers, and of FR wool and FR cotton fabrics.