scope:

This International Standard describes laboratory test methods to determine the resistance of materials used in protective clothing to permeation by liquid or gaseous chemicals under the conditions of either continuous or intermittent contact. Method A is applicable to the testing of liquid chemicals, either volatile or soluble in water, expected to be in continuous contact with the protective clothing material. Method B is applicable to the testing of gaseous chemicals expected to be in continuous contact with the protective clothing material. Method C is applicable to the testing of liquid chemicals, either volatile or soluble in water, expected to be in intermittent contact with the protective clothing material. These test methods are only suitable for the testing of air-impermeable protective clothing materials (see Note 1). They assess the permeation resistance of the protective clothing material under laboratory conditions in terms of breakthrough time, permeation rate, and cumulative permeation. These test methods also enable observations to be made of the effects of the test liquid on the protective clothing material under test. NOTE 1 In many cases the manufacturer of the protective clothing material will be able to advise whether their product is air-impermeable. If this information is not available the procedure in Annex E may be used to evaluate airimpermeability. These test methods are only suitable for measuring permeation by liquids and gases. Permeation by solid challenge chemicals is beyond the scope of this standard. NOTE 2 It can be difficult or impossible to normalize the results of permeation tests carried out against solid challenge chemicals. The normalised rate of permeation is dependent on the area of fabric exposed to the challenge chemical. In the case of solids this will, in turn, depend on factors such as particle size, size distribution, particle shape and packing considerations These test methods address only the performance of materials or certain material constructions (e.g. seams) used in protective clothing. These test methods do not address the design, overall construction and components, or interfaces of garments or other factors which may affect the overall protection offered by the protective clothing. It is emphasized that these tests do not necessarily simulate conditions to which clothing materials are likely to be exposed in practice. In most cases the conditions of the permeation test will be far more challenging than expected workplace conditions. The use of test data should therefore be restricted to broad comparative assessment of such material according to their permeation-resistance characteristics.