Resistant Suits

Level Respirator Chemically Protective Clothing Protection 

A Pressure-demand full facepiece SCBA or pressure-demand supplied-air respirator with escape SCBA Fully-encapsulating chemical resistant suit The highest level of respiratory, skin and eye protection 

C Full facepiece air purifying canister equipped respirator Chemically-resistant clothing, such as one-piece disposable suit or overalls and long-sleeved jackets The same level as skin protection as level B but a lower level of respiratory protection 

D No respiratory protection required FRC, safety shoes/boots, safety glasses, hard hat No respiratory protection, minimal skin protection 

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Flexible RP These materials are used with elastomeric materials providing special engineered products such as conveyor belts, mechanical belts, high temperature or chemical resistant suits, wire and cable insulation, and architectural designed shapes. 

Level A protection should be worn when the highest level of respiratory, skin, eye, and mucous membrane protection is needed. This level consists of a fully-encapsulated, vapor-tight, chemical-resistant suit, chemical-resistant boots with steel toe and shank, chemical-resistant inner/outer gloves, coveralls, hard hat, and self-contained (positive pressure) and SCBA. 

Fire Tabun reacts with steam and water to produce toxic and corrosive vapors. Any personnel not fighting a fire of sarin should immediately be evacuated from the area. Respiratory protection is required (positive pressure, full face piece, NIOSH-approved SCBA will be worn). When response personnel respond to handle rescue or reconnaissance, they will wear Level A protection that should be worn when the highest level of respiratory, skin, eye, and mucous membrane protection is needed. This level consists of a fully-encapsulated, vapor-tight, chemical-resistant suit, chemical-resistant boots with steel toe and shank, chemical-resistant inner/outer gloves (butyl rubber glove M3 and M4 Norton, chemical protective glove set), coveralls, hard hat, and self-contained (positive pressure) breathing apparatus (SCBA). 

Table 7.3 Approach for setting work/rest periods and amount of drinking water for workers wearing chemical-resistant suits ... 

Heat resistant suit. (From Baukal, C.E., Industrial Combustion Pollution and Control, New York Marcel Dekker, 2004.)... 

A. Protective clothing may be as simple as a disposable apron or as sophisticated as a fully encapsulated chemical-resistant suit. However, no chemical-resistant clothing is completely impervious to all chemicals over the full range of exposure conditions. Each suit is rated for its resistance to specific chemicals, and many are also rated for chemical breakthrough time. 

Level A provides maximal protection against vapors and liquids. It includes a fully encapsulating, chemical-resistant suit, gloves and boots, and a pressure-demand, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCB A) or a pressure-demand supplied air respirator (air hose) and escape SCBA. 

Level B is used when full respiratory protection is required but danger to the skin from vapor is less. It differs from Level A in that it incorporates a nonecapsulating, splash-protective, chemical-resistant suit (splash suit) that provides Level A protection against liquids, but is not airtight. 

A fully encapsulating chemical-resistant suit. This suit literally is an envelope surrounding the entire body with inserts for feet, hands, and fingers. 

There is no universal chemically resistant suit that is safe to use with all chemicals. Obviously, the suit material will depend on the type of chemical exposure involved. Since it fully encapsulates, it also involves gloves (both sides, inner and outer) which are chemical resistant and chemical resistant boots. When selecting suit material, it is best to seek the aid of the... 

There is no universal chemically resistant suit that is safe to use with all chemicals. PPE selection is a process that involves a mix of experience, common sense and quantitative risk assessment. 

Fire-resistant suits — Special fire-resistant suits are needed to enter burning areas. There are different grades of these which provide varying degrees of protection to fire. Some protect against steam or hot liquids as weU. They normally require a self-contained supplied air system to be worn during use. 

Chemical-resistant suits — Protection is frequently needed in chemistry incidents for protection against corrosive liquids and vapors. In standardized situations, materials for protective suits can be custom selected for maximum protection for the specific chemicals of concern. Where a variety of chemicals such as acids, bases, and frequently used solvents are involved, a butyl rubber suit is often a reasonable choice. Combination units of chemical and fire resistant entry suits are available. 

In addition to normal plant requirements (e.g., hard hats), personal protective equipment should include, as a minimum, chemical splash goggles and rubber gloves and boots. Some operations may require a full face shield, a chemically resistant suit, or a respirator. Safety showers and eyewash facilities should also be in the operating or handling area. 

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