An innovative test instrument, the ThermaRate measures the burn injury protection of fabric samples. The system is designed to simulate the fabrics being in the proximity of fire or high heat. The ThermaRate gives fabric manufacturers a lower cost, easier method of testing the thermal protective feature of their fabric. This fully automated, small scale tester includes selectable control of radiant heat flux, irradiation time, gap between fabric and sensor, and the choice of skin simulant sensor or heat flux gage output to be used in the burn injury algorithm.