ASTM F1052-14

Standard Test Method for Pressure Testing Vapor Protective Suits

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Workers involved in the production, use, and transportation of liquid and gaseous chemicals can be exposed to numerous compounds capable of causing harm upon contact with the human body. The deleterious effects of these chemicals can range from acute trauma such as skin irritation and burn to chronic degenerative disease such as cancer. Since engineering controls may not eliminate all possible exposures, attention is often placed on reducing the potential for direct skin contact through the use of protective clothing that resists permeation, penetration, and degradation.  
5.2 This test method is only appropriate for evaluating the integrity of totally encapsulating protective suits, that are designed and manufactured to prevent the inward leakage of gases and vapors. The vapor protection should be tested in accordance with Test Method F2588. Garments designed to protect from liquid chemicals should be tested in accordance with Test Method F1359.  
5.3 This non-destructive test method is useful as a quality control tool for manufactures and as a field method for end users to determine changes in garment integrity following use.  
5.4 This test method is useful to end users for determining the integrity of vapor protective suits upon receipt from the manufacturer, prior to use, following use and decontamination, following repairs, and as a periodic maintenance test.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method measures the ability of a vapor protective suits, including seams, and closures to maintain a fixed, positive pressure.  
1.2 This test method does not measure vapor protection of suits. This test method measures the integrity of the suit, glove, foot protection, and visor materials, as well as the seams, and closures of a vapor protective suit. Exhaust valves fitted in the vapor protective suit must be sealed or blocked for this test and therefore are not functionally tested.  
1.3 The values as stated in in.-H2O (mm-H2O) units are to be regarded as the standard.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of 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. For specific hazard statements, see Section 7.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2014
• ICS: 13.340.10 - Protective clothing
• Technical Committee: F23 - Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment
• Drafting Committee: F23.30 - Chemicals

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:F1052 −14
Standard Test Method for
1
Pressure Testing Vapor Protective Suits
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1052; 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
Personnel in industry and emergency response can be exposed to numerous chemicals capable of
causing harm upon contact with the human body. The deleterious effects of these chemicals can range
from acute trauma such as skin irritation and burn, to chronic degenerative disease such as cancer.
Since engineering controls may not eliminate all possible exposures, attention is often placed on
reducing the potential for direct skin contact through the use of protective clothing.
Protective clothing is available in a variety of constructions, configurations and materials, and is
designedtoprovidevariouslevelsofprotectionagainstmanyhazards.Vaporprotectivesuitsgenerally
offer the highest level of chemical protection being constructed to prevent contact of solid, liquid, or
gaseous chemicals with the wearer. This test method evaluates the integrity and construction of vapor
protective suits by way of an internal pressure test.
This test method does not measure the protection of the suit. Other tests measure the protective
aspects of the ensembles that are based on these suits, including Test Method F2588 for evaluating
chemical vapor inward leakage, Test Method F1359 for evaluating splash resistance using a shower
test, and Practice F1154 for evaluating the overall form, fit, and function of a protective ensemble
using a simulated wear test.
Resistance to chemical permeation of materials used in protective clothing should be evaluated by
Test Methods F739 for continuous contact and F1383 for intermittent contact (that is, splash), or by
Test Method F1407 according to the permeation cup method. Resistance of protective clothing
materials to liquid penetration should be determined by Test Method F903.
Physical properties of materials used in the construction of protective clothing can be determined
using a variety of test methods, including Test Methods D751 (dimensions, weight, breaking strength,
elongation, burst, tear resistance, hydrostatic resistance, coating adhesion, tack-tear, low temperature
impact and bend, accelerated aging, blocking, and crush resistance), D2582 (puncture propagation
tear), D4157 (abrasion resistance), F392 (flexural fatigue), F1358 (flammability), as well as many
others.
1. Scope foot protection, and visor materials, as well as the seams, and
closures of a vapor protective suit. Exhaust valves fitted in the
1.1 This test method measures the ability of a vapor
vapor protective suit must be sealed or blocked for this test and
protective suits, including seams, and closures to maintain a
therefore are not functionally tested.
fixed, positive pressure.
1.3 The values as stated in in.-H O (mm-H O) units are to
1.2 This test method does not measure vapor protection of 2 2
be regarded as the standard.
suits.This test method measures the integrity of the suit, glove,
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeF23onPersonal
Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
F23.30 on Chemicals.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Current edition approved May 1, 2014. Published May 2014. Originally
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2009 as F1052 – 09. DOI:
10.1520/F1052-14. statements, see Section 7.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F1052−14
2. Referenced Documents F1407 Test Method for Resistance of Chemical Protective
2 Clothing Materials to Liquid Permeation—Permeation
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Cup Method
D751 Test Methods for Coated Fabrics
F2588 Test Method for Man-In-Simulant Test (MIST) for
D2582 Test Method for Puncture-Propagation Tear Resis-
Protective Ensembles
tance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting
D4157 Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Textile
3. Terminology
Fabrics (Oscillatory Cylinder Method)
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
F392 Test Method for Flex Durability of Flexible Barrier
3.1.1 protective ensemble, n—the combination of protective
Materials
clothingwithrespiratoryprotectiveequipment,
...

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: F1052 − 09 F1052 − 14
Standard Test Method for
1
Pressure Testing Vapor Protective Suits
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1052; 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
Personnel in industry and emergency response can be exposed to numerous chemicals capable of
causing harm upon contact with the human body. The deleterious effects of these chemicals can range
from acute trauma such as skin irritation and burn, to chronic degenerative disease such as cancer.
Since engineering controls may not eliminate all possible exposures, attention is often placed on
reducing the potential for direct skin contact through the use of protective clothing.
Protective clothing is available in a variety of constructions, configurations and materials, and is
designed to provide various levels of protection against many hazards. Vapor protective suits generally
offer the highest level of chemical protection being constructed to prevent contact of solid, liquid, or
gaseous chemicals with the wearer. This test method evaluates the integrity and construction of vapor
protective suits by way of an internal pressure test.
Protective clothing is available in a variety of constructions, configurations and materials, and is
designed to provide various levels of protection against many hazards. Vapor protective suits generally
offer the highest level of chemical protection being constructed to prevent contact of solid, liquid, or
gaseous chemicals with the wearer. This test method evaluates the integrity and construction of vapor
protective suits by way of an internal pressure test. This test method does not measure the protection
of the suit. Other tests measure the protective aspects of the ensembles that are based on these suits,
including Test Method F2588 for evaluating chemical vapor inward leakage, Test Method F1359 for
evaluating splash resistance using a shower test, and Practice F1154 for evaluating the overall form,
fit, and function of a protective ensemble using a simulated wear test.
Resistance to chemical permeation of materials used in protective clothing should be evaluated by
Test Methods F739 for continuous contact and F1383 for intermittent contact (that is, splash), or by
Test Method F1407 according to the permeation cup method. Resistance of protective clothing
materials to liquid penetration should be determined by Test Method F903.
Physical properties of materials used in the construction of protective clothing can be determined
using a variety of test methods, including Test Methods D751 (dimensions, weight, breaking strength,
elongation, burst, tear resistance, hydrostatic resistance, coating adhesion, tack-tear, low temperature
impact and bend, accelerated aging, blocking, and crush resistance), D2582 (puncture propagation
tear), D4157 (abrasion resistance), F392 (flexural fatigue), F1358 (flammability), as well as many
others.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method measures the ability of a vapor protective suits, including seams, and closures to maintain a fixed, positive
pressure.
1.2 This test method does not measure vapor protection of suits. This test method measures the integrity of the suit, glove, foot
protection, and visor materials, as well as the seams, and closures of a vapor protective suit. Exhaust valves fitted in the vapor
protective suit must be sealed or blocked for this test and therefore are not functionally tested.
1.3 The values as stated in in.-H O (mm-H O) units are to be regarded as the standard.
2 2
1
This test method 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, 2009May 1, 2014. Published February 2009May 2014. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 20022009 as
F1052 – 97 (2002).F1052 – 09. DOI: 10.1520/F1052-09.10.1520/F1052-14.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F1052 − 14
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropria
...