ASTM F1052-20

Standard Test Method for Pressure Testing Vapor Protective Suits

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 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. However, this test method does not evaluate the exhaust(s) which permit the release of exhalation air from the wearer’s self-contained breathing apparatus or supplied air respirator, or the effects of use on the suit’s ability to protect against inward leakage of gases or vapors. Suit 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/F1359M.  
5.2 It is possible to apply this test method to suits that do not fully encapsulate the wearer by providing fixtures or other means of blocking off those portions of the suit that are open, such as hood face openings or sleeve ends.  
5.3 This nondestructive test method is useful as a quality control tool for manufacturers 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 suit, including seams and closures, to maintain a fixed, positive pressure over a specified period of time.  
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.  
1.2.1 The measurement of vapor protection of suits is measured using a different test method, Test Method F2588.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 7.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2020
• ICS: 13.340.10 - Protective clothing
• Technical Committee: F23 - Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment
• Drafting Committee: F23.30 - Chemicals

Relations

• Refers: ASTM F2588-12(2020) - Standard Test Method for Man-In-Simulant Test (MIST) for Protective Ensembles
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2020

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:F1052 −20
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/F1359M for evaluating splash resistance using a
shower test, and Practices 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/F392M (flexural fatigue), F1358 (flammability), as well as
many others.
1. Scope vapor protective suit must be sealed or blocked for this test and
therefore are not functionally tested.
1.1 This test method measures the ability of a vapor
1.2.1 The measurement of vapor protection of suits is
protective suit, including seams and closures, to maintain a
measured using a different test method, Test Method F2588.
fixed, positive pressure over a specified period of time.
1.3 The values as stated in in.-H O (mm-H O) units are to
2 2
1.2 This test method does not measure vapor protection of
be regarded as the standard.
suits.This test method measures the integrity of the suit, glove,
foot protection, and visor materials, as well as the seams and
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
closures of a vapor protective suit. Exhaust valves fitted in the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F23 on Personal
Protective Clothing and Equipment and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee For specific hazard statements, see Section 7.
F23.30 on Chemicals.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2020. Published October 2020. Originally
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as F1052 – 14. DOI:
10.1520/F1052-20. ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F1052−20
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- F1383 Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Th
...

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 − 14 F1052 − 20
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.
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 F1359F1359/F1359M for evaluating splash resistance
using a shower test, and PracticePractices 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), F392F392/F392M (flexural fatigue), F1358 (flammability), as well
as many others.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method measures the ability of a vapor protective suits,suit, including seams,seams and closures, to maintain a fixed,
positive pressure.pressure over a specified period of time.
1.2 This test method does not measure vapor protection of suits. This test method measures the integrity of the suit, glove, foot
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 May 1, 2014Oct. 1, 2020. Published May 2014October 2020. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 20092014 as
F1052 – 09.F1052 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/F1052-14.10.1520/F1052-20.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F1052 − 20
protection, and visor materials, as well as the seams,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.
1.2.1 The measurement of vapor protection of suits is measured using a different test method, Test Method F2588.
1.3 The values as stated in in.-H O (mm-H O) units are to be regarded as the standard.
2 2
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Section 7.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized pr
...