BTTG 01.04.15 051

Protective clothing against chemicals

Overview

Chemical protective clothing comes in a range of ‘types’ which relate to the end use of the product, these are:

  • EN 943-1: Protective clothing against liquid and gaseous chemicals, aerosols and solid particles. Performance requirements for ventilated and non-ventilated "gas-tight" (Type 1) and "non-gas-tight" (Type 2) chemical protective suits
  • EN 943-2: Protective clothing against liquid and gaseous chemicals, aerosols and solid particles. Performance requirements for “gas-tight” (Type 1) chemical protective suits for emergency teams (ET)
  • EN 14605 - Protective clothing against liquid chemicals. Performance requirements for clothing with liquid-tight (Type 3) or spray-tight (Type 4) connections, including items providing protection to parts of the body only (Types PB [3] and PB [4])
  • EN 13982 – 1: Protective clothing for use against solid particulates. Performance requirements for chemical protective clothing providing protection to the full body against airborne solid particulates (type 5 clothing)
  • EN 13034 -Protective clothing against liquid chemicals. Performance requirements for chemical protective clothing offering limited protective performance against liquid chemicals (Type 6 and Type PB [6] equipment) 

The ‘type’ tests are designed to ensure wearer protection against everything from radiation, and gas, right through to chemicals and powders.

Tests 

All standards are linked to EN 14325, “Protective clothing against chemicals. Test methods and performance classification of chemical protective clothing materials, seams, joins and assemblages”, which describes how the physical tests should be performed, ensuring that garments made from such materials do not unduly break, stretch, abrade or suffer damage from creasing/flexing.

Standards called up in EN 14325 for fabric testing include; Abrasion (EN 530), Flex Cracking (ISO 7854 Method B) at room temperature and at low temperature conditions, Tear strength (ISO 9073-4), Tensile (EN ISO 13934-1), Burst (ISO 13938-1), Puncture (EN 863) and chemical penetration (EN ISO 6530).

For whole garments and assemblages, each ’Type’ standard has its own requirement depending on the end use, e.g. inward leakage for chemical protective, spray testing for paint booths and cleaning zones as well as seam strength tests (EN ISO 13935-2) to ensure the whole item functions correctly and adequately during end use. 

At BTTG™ T&C Ltd we are able to offer a service to provide testing of both the fabric, seams and garments.  We can additionally test for infectious agent resistance and microbial properties, as called up in EN 14126, with the aid of our sister company Shirley®.

For further information regarding testing to this standard, please contact +44 (0)161 873 6543 or onestopshop@bttg.co.uk and someone will be happy to discuss your requirements.

If you would like to Certify a garment in accordance with this Performance Standard please contact our Certification Department (+44 (0) 161 876 4211, certification@bttg.co.uk ).