Hazmat suit standards
There are numerous European standards for chemical protective suits, as the characteristics of CPVs differ according to the toxic substance encountered, the environment, the sector of activity, and the duration of exposure.
Regulations hazmat suits
EN 943 - Type 1 and Type 2 protective clothing against solid, liquid, and gaseous hazardous chemicals, including liquid aerosols and solid particles
NF EN 943-1+A1: Performance requirements for gas-tight chemical hazmat suits (type 1)
NF EN 943-2: Performance requirements for gas-tight chemical protection suits (Type 1) intended for emergency teams (ET)
NF EN 14605: Performance requirements for liquid-tight (Type 3) and mist-tight (Type 4) hazmat suits with watertight connections between all parts. They also apply to combinations protecting certain body parts against permeation by chemicals and liquids (like laboratory coats, jackets, pants, aprons, etc.).
NF ISO 14116 INDEX 1/0/0: Performance requirements for type 3 and 4 chemical protection with flame-retardant properties to resist flames over a short period.
NF EN ISO 13982-1:2005 / EN 13982-1: Performance requirements for type 5 Hazmat suits impervious to solid chemicals and airborne particles (asbestos removal, agricultural environments).
NF EN 13034:2005: Performance requirements for type 6 chemical splash suits with limited-time protection (petrochemicals, phytosanitary risks, laboratories).
Standards and test methods
NF EN ISO 6529:2003 : Normes pour les vêtements de protection chimiques de test afin de déterminer le temps de résistance des matériaux face à la perméation des liquides et des gaz
NF EN 1073-2 : Normes fixant les exigences et les méthodes d’essai pour les combinaisons Hazmat non ventilées contre la contamination radioactive via des particules
NF EN 1149-1 : Normes pour les vêtements avec propriétés électrostatiques. Méthode d’essai à appliquer sur des matériaux utilisés dans la fabrication de vêtements ou gants de protection dissipant l’électricité statique afin d’éviter les étincelles pouvant provoquer un incendie.
NF EN 14126 : Exigences de performances et des méthodes d’essai pour les VPC réutilisables à usage limité contre les agents infectieux, réutilisables à usage limité.
Standards for specific chemical suits
NF EN ISO 16602:2007: Standards classifying protection requirements and labeling garments (full-body suits, liquid-tight or mist-tight suits, jackets, pants, aprons....)
NF EN 1149-5: Standards for electrostatic VPCs protecting against static energy discharges that can lead to ignition.
Inspection and maintenance of chemical protective clothing
Limited-use, reusable chemical protection suits are subject to annual periodic inspections for ten years. The maintenance of this category 3 personal protective equipment involves checking the suit for damage, checking the garment for leaks, checking the pressure parameters, monitoring the risk of valve leakage on the Quaestor test bench, and drawing up a verification report.
Class 3 PPE protects against potential severe or fatal injury. That's why, to ensure maximum safety for our personnel, they all have to be periodically checked, inspected and maintained. This applies to hazmat suits and respiratory and fall protection equipment, which must comply with the relevant regulations.
See the chemical protective suits page