ASTM F1296-08(2015)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Evaluating Chemical Protective Clothing
Standard Guide for Evaluating Chemical Protective Clothing
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The standards under the jurisdiction of Committee F23 and other technical committees can be used individually or as part of an integrated protocol in the development, selection, specification, and use of chemical protective clothing.
4.2 The standards are intended as a means by which information can be requested, generated, and reported in a consistent, comparable manner.
4.3 The suggested evaluation and test methods are recommended guidelines only. Test methods offer procedures for evaluating chemical protective clothing at standardized conditions to allow comparison.
4.4 The information on clothing performance must be combined with professional judgment, and a clear understanding of the clothing application, to provide the best protection to the worker. All chemical protective clothing use must be based on a hazard assessment to determine the risks for exposure to chemicals and other hazards. Conduct hazard assessments in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.132.
4.5 Chemical protective clothing intended for use during hazardous materials emergencies shall be evaluated against and conform to NFPA 1991, Standard on Vapor-Protective Ensemble for Hazardous Materials Emergencies, or NFPA 1992, Standard on Liquid Splash-Protective Ensemble and Clothing for Hazardous Materials Emergencies, as appropriate for the type of emergency. For emergencies involving release of chemical agents during terrorism incidents, chemical protective clothing shall be evaluated against and conform to NFPA 1994, Standard on Protective Ensemble for Chemical/Biological Terrorism Incidents.
4.6 Recommendations for labeling chemical protective clothing are provided in Practice F1301, recommendations for implementing a chemical protective clothing program are provided in Practice F1461, and recommendations for preparing care and maintenance instructions are provided in Practice F2061.
4.7 Appendix X1 is an example of how several of the referenced standards can be combined into a prot...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide is intended to aid in the application of standards for the development, specification, and selection of chemical protective clothing with the ultimate goal of maintaining the safety and health of workers who come into contact with hazardous chemicals.
1.2 This guide provides a short description of each referenced standard and then makes specific recommendations for the use of these standards. The referenced standards are organized under the following headings: Material Chemical Resistance, Material Physical Properties, Seam and Closure Performance, and Overall Clothing Performance.
1.3 No protocol can ensure the selection of protective clothing that guarantees worker protection. The purpose of testing is to generate data and information that will allow the selection of the most appropriate clothing. Ultimately, clothing selection is based on technical evaluation of available information and professional assessment of risk.
1.4 The values stated in SI units or in other units shall be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system must be used independently of the other, without combining values in any way.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: F1296 − 08 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Guide for
Evaluating Chemical Protective Clothing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1296; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
ASTM Committee F23 was established in 1976 for the purpose of producing standards for use in
the evaluation of protective clothing. A significant number of these standards have applied to
protection against chemicals. Chemical protective clothing ranges from aprons and gloves to totally
encapsulating ensembles. Chemical protective clothing is widely used throughout in several different
applications including the general industry, the chemical process industry, oil refining, agriculture,
hazardous materials remediation, and emergency response.
The effective development and selection of chemical protective clothing requires information on
several aspects of the clothing, including chemical resistance, physical integrity, comfort, and fit.
Some of these characteristics can be evaluated using swatches of the materials from which the clothing
is fabricated. Other characteristics require testing of the finished items of clothing. Committee F23 has
developed test methods for both types of evaluations.
The successful use of Committee F23’s standards requires an awareness and understanding of each
standard as well as the interrelationship of the standards.
The successful application of chemical protective clothing requires the careful matching of the
proper level of protection and performance characteristics of clothing with the potential hazard and the
functional requirements of the tasks to be performed while wearing the clothing.
1. Scope 1.4 The values stated in SI units or in other units shall be
regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
1.1 This guide is intended to aid in the application of
system must be used independently of the other, without
standards for the development, specification, and selection of
combining values in any way.
chemical protective clothing with the ultimate goal of main-
1.5 This standard does not purport to address the safety
taining the safety and health of workers who come into contact
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
with hazardous chemicals.
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
1.2 This guide provides a short description of each refer-
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
enced standard and then makes specific recommendations for
limitations prior to use.
the use of these standards. The referenced standards are
organized under the following headings: Material Chemical
2. Referenced Documents
Resistance, Material Physical Properties, Seam and Closure
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Performance, and Overall Clothing Performance.
D747 Test Method for Apparent Bending Modulus of Plas-
1.3 No protocol can ensure the selection of protective
tics by Means of a Cantilever Beam
clothing that guarantees worker protection. The purpose of
D751 Test Methods for Coated Fabrics
testing is to generate data and information that will allow the
D1630 Test Method for Rubber Property—Abrasion Resis-
selection of the most appropriate clothing. Ultimately, clothing
tance (Footwear Abrader)
selection is based on technical evaluation of available infor-
D2582 Test Method for Puncture-Propagation Tear Resis-
mation and professional assessment of risk.
tance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F23 on Personal
Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F23.30 on Chemicals. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2015. Published February 2015. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as F1296 – 08. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/F1296-08R15. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1296 − 08 (2015)
D3389 Test Method for Coated Fabrics Abrasion Resistance F2130 Test Method for Measuring Repellency, Retention,
and Penetration of Liquid Pesticide Formulation Through
(Rotary Platform Abrader)
Protective Clothing Materials
D4157 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Textile
Fabrics (Oscillatory Cylinder Method)
2.2 ANSI Standard:
D4966 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Textile
ANSI Z41 American National Standard for Personal
Fabrics (Martindale Abrasion Tester Method)
Protection—Protective Footwear
D5034 Test Method for Breaking Strength and Elongation of 4
2.3 ANSI/ISEA Standard:
Textile Fabrics (Grab Test)
ANSI/ISEA 105 American National Standard for Hand Pro-
D5151 Test Method for Detection of Holes in Medical
tection Selection Criteria
Gloves
2.4 NFPA Standards:
D5587 Test Method for Tearing Strength of Fabrics by
NFPA 1991 Standard on Vapor-Protective Ensemble for
Trapezoid Procedure
Hazardous Materials Emergencies
D6413 Test Method for Flame Resistance of Textiles (Ver-
NFPA 1992 Standard on Liquid Splash-Protective Ensemble
tical Test)
and Clothing for Hazardous Materials Emergencies
F392 Test Method for Flex Durability of Flexible Barrier
NFPA 1994 Standard on Protective Ensemble for Chemical/
Materials
Biological Terrorism Incidents
F739 Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases
2.5 Federal Regulations:
through Protective Clothing Materials under Conditions of
29 CFR Part 1910.120 Hazardous Waste Operations and
Continuous Contact
Emergency Response: Final Rule, Federal Register, Vol
F903 Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in
54, Mar. 6, 1989, p. 9317, as amended in Federal Register,
Protective Clothing to Penetration by Liquids
Vol 55, Apr. 13, 1990, p. 14073; Federal Register, Vol 56,
F1001 Guide for Selection of Chemicals to Evaluate Protec-
Apr. 18, 1991, p. 15382 and Federal Register, Vol 59,
tive Clothing Materials
Aug. 22, 1994, p. 43270
F1052 Test Method for Pressure Testing Vapor Protective
29 CFR Part 1910.132 General Requirements, of Subpart
Suits
I—Personal Protective Equipment, Federal Register, Vol
F1154 Practices for Qualitatively Evaluating the Comfort,
39, Jun. 27, 1974, p. 23502, as amended in Federal
Fit, Function, and Durability of Protective Ensembles and
Register, Vol 59, Apr. 6, 1994, p. 16334 and Federal
Ensemble Components
Register, Vol 59, July 1, 1994, p. 33910
F1186 Classification System for Chemicals According to
29 CFR Part 1910.1000 Air Contaminants, Federal Register,
Functional Groups
Vol. 39, June 27, 1974.
F1194 Guide for Documenting the Results of Chemical
2.6 American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hy-
Permeation Testing of Materials Used in Protective Cloth-
gienists:
ing
TLVs® and BEIs®: Threshold Limit Values for Chemical
F1291 Test Method for Measuring the Thermal Insulation of
Substances and Physical Agents; Biological Exposure
Clothing Using a Heated Manikin
Indices
F1301 Practice for Labeling Chemical Protective Clothing
F1342 Test Method for Protective Clothing Material Resis-
3. Terminology
tance to Puncture
3.1 Definitions:
F1358 Test Method for Effects of Flame Impingement on
3.1.1 protective clothing, n—an item of clothing that is
Materials Used in Protective Clothing Not Designated
specifically designed and constructed for the intended purpose
Primarily for Flame Resistance
of isolating all or part of the body from a potential hazard; or,
F1359 Test Method for Liquid Penetration Resistance of
isolating the external environment from contamination by the
Protective Clothing or Protective Ensembles Under a
wearer of the clothing.
Shower Spray While on a Mannequin
3.1.2 For definitions of other terms related to protective
F1383 Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases
clothing used in this guide, refer to Terminology F1494.
through Protective Clothing Materials under Conditions of
Intermittent Contact
F1407 Test Method for Resistance of Chemical Protective
Available from National Safety Council (NSC), 1121 Spring Lake Dr., Itasca,
Clothing Materials to Liquid Permeation—Permeation
IL 60143-3201, http://www.nsc.org.
Cup Method
Available from Industrial Safety Equipment Association, 1901 North Moore
Street, Suite 808, Arlington, VA 22209.
F1461 Practice for Chemical Protective Clothing Program
Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
F1494 Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org.
F1790 Test Method for Measuring Cut Resistance of Mate- 6
Available from U.S. Government Printing Office Superintendent of Documents,
rials Used in Protective Clothing with CPP Test Equip- 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http://
www.access.gpo.gov.
ment
Available from American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists,
F2061 Practice for Chemical Protective Clothing: Wearing,
Inc. (ACGIH), 1330 Kemper Meadow Dr., Suite 600, Cincinnati, OH 45240,
Care, and Maintenance Instructions http://www.acgih.org.
F1296 − 08 (2015)
4. Significance and Use breakthrough detection time, and subsequent permeation rate
through replicate specimens of the material.
4.1 The standards under the jurisdiction of Committee F23
5.1.1.1 In the permeation test apparatus, the protective
and other technical committees can be used individually or as
clothing material specimens separates the test chemical from
part of an integrated protocol in the development, selection,
the collection medium. The liquid or gas collection medium is
specification, and use of chemical protective clothing.
analyzed quantitatively for the challenge chemical concentra-
4.2 The standards are intended as a means by which
tion that permeates through the test specimen as a function of
information can be requested, generated, and reported in a
time after it contacts the material.
consistent, comparable manner.
5.1.1.2 Test Method F739 permits several configurations of
4.3 The suggested evaluation and test methods are recom-
the test, including the choice of collection media, detection
mended guidelines only. Test methods offer procedures for
systems, the test temperature, and length of the test.
evaluating chemical protective clothing at standardized condi-
5.1.2 Test Method F1383 (Resistance of Protective Clothing
tions to allow comparison.
Materials to Permeation by Liquids or Gases Under Condi-
tions of Intermittent Contact)—This test method is a variation
4.4 The information on clothing performance must be com-
of Test Method F739 and is used to measure breakthrough
bined with professional judgment, and a clear understanding of
detection time and permeation rate through specimens of
the clothing application, to provide the best protection to the
protective clothing under the conditions of intermittent contact
worker. All chemical protective clothing use must be based on
of the test chemical with the specimen.
a hazard assessment to determine the risks for exposure to
5.1.2.1 Test Method F1383 is designed to simulate the type
chemicals and other hazards. Conduct hazard assessments in
accordance with 29 CFR 1910.132. of chemical exposures where chemical contact occurs through
periodic exposure or through repeated splashes depending on
4.5 Chemical protective clothing intended for use during
the type of task in which the clothing wearer is involved.
hazardous materials emergencies shall be evaluated against and
5.1.2.2 Test Method F1383 permits several options for
conform to NFPA 1991, Standard on Vapor-Protective En-
specifying the frequency and length of chemical contact with
semble for Hazardous Materials Emergencies, or NFPA 1992,
the material specimens. Because chemical contact with the
Standard on Liquid Splash-Protective Ensemble and Clothing
specimen is varied, the test method specifies the reporting of
for Hazardous Materials Emergencies, as appropriate for the
cumulative permeation as opposed to permeation rate. One of
type of emergency. For emergencies involving release of
the options for using Test Method F1383 is to measure the
chemical agents during terrorism incidents, chemical protec-
length of time for a specific chemical to permeate through a
tive clothing shall be evaluated against and conform to NFPA
candidate clothing material after a single “splash” exposure
1994, Standard on Protective Ensemble for Chemical/
followed by a saturated vapor exposure. This test protocol can
Biological Terrorism Incidents.
simulate how clothing is exposed during actual use.
4.6 Recommendations for labeling chemical protective
5.1.3 Test Method F1407 (Resistance of Chemical Protec-
clothing are provided in Practice F1301, recommendations for
tive Clothing Materials to Liquid Permeation—Permeation
implementing a chemical protective clothing program are
Cup Method)—In this test method, permeation of chemicals
provided in Practice F1461, and recommendations for prepar-
through a clothing specimen is measured gravimetrically. The
ing care and maintenance instructions are provided in Practice
chemical is placed in a shallow cup and the clothing specimen
F2061.
clamped over the top of the cup. The interior surface of the
4.7 Appendix X1 is an example of how several of the
clothing surface is left open to air. The cup assembly is
referenced standards can be combined into a protocol to select
weighed periodically, and from the change in weight, the
the most suitable chemical protective clothing for a given
permeation rate calculated and the breakthrough time esti-
application. Briefly, the process is one of defining the require-
mated. The clothing material specimen is also observed for
ments of the application and then (by testing) eliminating those
visible changes in appearance that would indicate chemical
candidates that are unsuitable.
degradation.
5.1.3.1 Physical properties of the clothing specimen can be
4.8 Appendix X2 provides a chart to cross reference U.S.
measured before and after the exposure as another means for
Standards with European and International Standards. This
assessing chemical resistance.
chart shows only analogous standards for measuring the same
5.1.3.2 Test Method F1407 is applicable to chemicals with
property or evaluating the similar chemical protective clothing
sufficiently high vapor pressure such tha
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F1296 − 08 F1296 − 08 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Guide for
Evaluating Chemical Protective Clothing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1296; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
ASTM Committee F23 was established in 1976 for the purpose of producing standards for use in
the evaluation of protective clothing. A significant number of these standards have applied to
protection against chemicals. Chemical protective clothing ranges from aprons and gloves to totally
encapsulating ensembles. Chemical protective clothing is widely used throughout in several different
applications including the general industry, the chemical process industry, oil refining, agriculture,
hazardous materials remediation, and emergency response.
The effective development and selection of chemical protective clothing requires information on
several aspects of the clothing, including chemical resistance, physical integrity, comfort, and fit.
Some of these characteristics can be evaluated using swatches of the materials from which the clothing
is fabricated. Other characteristics require testing of the finished items of clothing. Committee F23 has
developed test methods for both types of evaluations.
The successful use of Committee F23’s standards requires an awareness and understanding of each
standard as well as the interrelationship of the standards.
The successful application of chemical protective clothing requires the careful matching of the
proper level of protection and performance characteristics of clothing with the potential hazard and the
functional requirements of the tasks to be performed while wearing the clothing.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide is intended to aid in the application of standards for the development, specification, and selection of chemical
protective clothing with the ultimate goal of maintaining the safety and health of workers who come into contact with hazardous
chemicals.
1.2 This guide provides a short description of each referenced standard and then makes specific recommendations for the use
of these standards. The referenced standards are organized under the following headings: Material Chemical Resistance, Material
Physical Properties, Seam and Closure Performance, and Overall Clothing Performance.
1.3 No protocol can ensure the selection of protective clothing that guarantees worker protection. The purpose of testing is to
generate data and information that will allow the selection of the most appropriate clothing. Ultimately, clothing selection is based
on technical evaluation of available information and professional assessment of risk.
1.4 The values stated in SI units or in other units shall be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system must
be used independently of the other, without combining values in any way.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the
user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations
prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D747 Test Method for Apparent Bending Modulus of Plastics by Means of a Cantilever Beam
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F23 on Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F23.30
on Chemicals.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2008Feb. 1, 2015. Published February 2008February 2015. Originally approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 20032008
as F1296 – 03.F1296 – 08. DOI: 10.1520/F1296-08.10.1520/F1296-08R15.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1296 − 08 (2015)
D751 Test Methods for Coated Fabrics
D1630 Test Method for Rubber Property—Abrasion Resistance (Footwear Abrader)
D2582 Test Method for Puncture-Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting
D3389 Test Method for Coated Fabrics Abrasion Resistance (Rotary Platform Abrader)
D4157 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics (Oscillatory Cylinder Method)
D4966 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics (Martindale Abrasion Tester Method)
D5034 Test Method for Breaking Strength and Elongation of Textile Fabrics (Grab Test)
D5151 Test Method for Detection of Holes in Medical Gloves
D5587 Test Method for Tearing Strength of Fabrics by Trapezoid Procedure
D6413 Test Method for Flame Resistance of Textiles (Vertical Test)
F392 Test Method for Flex Durability of Flexible Barrier Materials
F739 Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases through Protective Clothing Materials under Conditions of Continuous
Contact
F903 Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Liquids
F1001 Guide for Selection of Chemicals to Evaluate Protective Clothing Materials
F1052 Test Method for Pressure Testing Vapor Protective Suits
F1154 Practices for Qualitatively Evaluating the Comfort, Fit, Function, and Durability of Protective Ensembles and Ensemble
Components
F1186 Classification System for Chemicals According to Functional Groups
F1194 Guide for Documenting the Results of Chemical Permeation Testing of Materials Used in Protective Clothing
F1291 Test Method for Measuring the Thermal Insulation of Clothing Using a Heated Manikin
F1301 Practice for Labeling Chemical Protective Clothing
F1342 Test Method for Protective Clothing Material Resistance to Puncture
F1358 Test Method for Effects of Flame Impingement on Materials Used in Protective Clothing Not Designated Primarily for
Flame Resistance
F1359 Test Method for Liquid Penetration Resistance of Protective Clothing or Protective Ensembles Under a Shower Spray
While on a Mannequin
F1383 Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases through Protective Clothing Materials under Conditions of Intermittent
Contact
F1407 Test Method for Resistance of Chemical Protective Clothing Materials to Liquid Permeation—Permeation Cup Method
F1461 Practice for Chemical Protective Clothing Program
F1494 Terminology Relating to Protective Clothing
F1790 Test Method for Measuring Cut Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing with CPP Test Equipment
F2061 Practice for Chemical Protective Clothing: Wearing, Care, and Maintenance Instructions
F2130 Test Method for Measuring Repellency, Retention, and Penetration of Liquid Pesticide Formulation Through Protective
Clothing Materials
2.2 ANSI Standard:
ANSI Z41 American National Standard for Personal Protection—Protective Footwear
2.3 ANSI/ISEA Standard:
ANSI/ISEA 105 American National Standard for Hand Protection Selection Criteria
2.4 NFPA Standards:
NFPA 1991 Standard on Vapor-Protective Ensemble for Hazardous Materials Emergencies
NFPA 1992 Standard on Liquid Splash-Protective Ensemble and Clothing for Hazardous Materials Emergencies
NFPA 1994 Standard on Protective Ensemble for Chemical/Biological Terrorism Incidents
2.5 Federal Regulations:
29 CFR Part 1910.120 Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response: Final Rule, Federal Register, Vol 54, Mar. 6,
1989, p. 9317, as amended in Federal Register, Vol 55, Apr. 13, 1990, p. 14073; Federal Register, Vol 56, Apr. 18, 1991, p.
15382 and Federal Register, Vol 59, Aug. 22, 1994, p. 43270
29 CFR Part 1910.132 General Requirements, of Subpart I—Personal Protective Equipment, Federal Register, Vol 39, Jun. 27,
1974, p. 23502, as amended in Federal Register, Vol 59, Apr. 6, 1994, p. 16334 and Federal Register, Vol 59, July 1, 1994,
p. 33910
29 CFR Part 1910.1000 Air Contaminants, Federal Register, Vol. 39, June 27, 1974.
Available from National Safety Council (NSC), 1121 Spring Lake Dr., Itasca, IL 60143-3201, http://www.nsc.org.
Available from Industrial Safety Equipment Association, 1901 North Moore Street, Suite 808, Arlington, VA 22209.
Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org.
Available from U.S. Government Printing Office Superintendent of Documents, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http://
www.access.gpo.gov.
F1296 − 08 (2015)
2.6 American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists:
TLVs® and BEIs®: Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents; Biological Exposure Indices
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 protective clothing, n—an item of clothing that is specifically designed and constructed for the intended purpose of
isolating all or part of the body from a potential hazard; or, isolating the external environment from contamination by the wearer
of the clothing.
3.1.2 For definitions of other terms related to protective clothing used in this guide, refer to Terminology F1494.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The standards under the jurisdiction of Committee F23 and other technical committees can be used individually or as part
of an integrated protocol in the development, selection, specification, and use of chemical protective clothing.
4.2 The standards are intended as a means by which information can be requested, generated, and reported in a consistent,
comparable manner.
4.3 The suggested evaluation and test methods are recommended guidelines only. Test methods offer procedures for evaluating
chemical protective clothing at standardized conditions to allow comparison.
4.4 The information on clothing performance must be combined with professional judgment, and a clear understanding of the
clothing application, to provide the best protection to the worker. All chemical protective clothing use must be based on a hazard
assessment to determine the risks for exposure to chemicals and other hazards. Conduct hazard assessments in accordance with
29 CFR 1910.132.
4.5 Chemical protective clothing intended for use during hazardous materials emergencies shall be evaluated against and
conform to NFPA 1991, Standard on Vapor-Protective Ensemble for Hazardous Materials Emergencies, or NFPA 1992, Standard
on Liquid Splash-Protective Ensemble and Clothing for Hazardous Materials Emergencies, as appropriate for the type of
emergency. For emergencies involving release of chemical agents during terrorism incidents, chemical protective clothing shall be
evaluated against and conform to NFPA 1994, Standard on Protective Ensemble for Chemical/Biological Terrorism Incidents.
4.6 Recommendations for labeling chemical protective clothing are provided in Practice F1301, recommendations for
implementing a chemical protective clothing program are provided in Practice F1461, and recommendations for preparing care and
maintenance instructions are provided in Practice F2061.
4.7 Appendix X1 is an example of how several of the referenced standards can be combined into a protocol to select the most
suitable chemical protective clothing for a given application. Briefly, the process is one of defining the requirements of the
application and then (by testing) eliminating those candidates that are unsuitable.
4.8 Appendix X2 provides a chart to cross reference U.S. Standards with European and International Standards. This chart
shows only analogous standards for measuring the same property or evaluating the similar chemical protective clothing and does
not imply that results from different tests will be comparable.
5. Evaluation of Material Chemical Resistance
5.1 Applicable Standards:
5.1.1 Test Method F739 (Resistance of Protective Clothing Materials to Permeation by Liquids or Gases Under Conditions of
Continuous Contact)—The resistance of a protective clothing material to permeation by a test chemical is assessed by measuring
the breakthrough detection time, normalized breakthrough detection time, and subsequent permeation rate through replicate
specimens of the material.
5.1.1.1 In the permeation test apparatus, the protective clothing material specimens separates the test chemical from the
collection medium. The liquid or gas collection medium is analyzed quantitatively for the challenge chemical concentration that
permeates through the test specimen as a function of time after it contacts the material.
5.1.1.2 Test Method F739 permits several configurations of the test, including the choice of collection media, detection systems,
the test temperature, and length of the test.
5.1.2 Test Method F1383 (Resistance of Protective Clothing Materials to Permeation by Liquids or Gases Under Conditions of
Intermittent Contact)—This test method is a variation of Test Method F739 and is used to measure breakthrough detection time
and permeation rate through specimens of protective clothing under the conditions of intermittent contact of the test chemical with
the specimen.
Available from American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Inc. (ACGIH), 1330 Kemper Meadow Dr., Suite 600, Cincinnati, OH 45240,
http://www.acgih.org.
F1296 − 08 (2015)
5.1.2.1 Test Method F1383 is designed to simulate the type of chemical exposures where chemical contact occurs through
periodic exposure or through repeated splashes depending on the type of task in which the clothing wearer is involved.
5.1.2.2 Test Method F1383 permits several options for specifying the frequency and length of chemical contact with the material
specimens. Because chemical contact with the specimen is varied, the test method specifies the reporting of cumulative permeation
as opposed to permeation rate. One of the options for using Test Method F1383 is to measure the length of time for a specific
chemical to permeate through a candidate clothing material after a single “splash” exposure followed by a saturated vapor
exposure. This test protocol can simulate how clothing is exposed during actual use.
5.1.3 Test Method F1407 (Resistance of Chemical Protective Clothing Materials to Liquid Permeation—Permeation C
...
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