5.1 This test method evaluates the ability of the construction and configuration of protective clothing or protective ensembles to resist liquid penetration. In most cases, the conditions used in this test method will not represent actual end-use conditions.

5.2 The one-hour duration of the test is not intended to simulate user exposure to splashes of liquid chemical but rather to provide sufficient time for enough liquid to penetrate to make visual detection easier.

5.2.1 It is permissible to specify shorter test durations. The duration of exposure in each mannequin orientation must be the same.

5.2.2 The choice of different test duration is partly based on the number of layers in the specimen being tested, some of which serve to absorb the surfactant-treated test liquid and result in attenuating the severity of the liquid challenge to the specimen.

5.3 A nontoxic, non-foaming surfactant is added to water for this test method to simulate liquids of lower surface tensions. Liquids of specific interest can be simulated by treating water to achieve an equivalent surface tension.

5.4 For protective clothing with water-repellent surfaces, the lower surface tension liquid will aid in the evaluation of the construction and configuration of the garment because it is not repelled but wets the protective clothing. This is especially useful for reusable garments whose water-repellent surface interferes with the evaluation of their construction and configuration when new, but is diminished after wearing and washing.

5.5 Fluorescent or colored dyes may be added to the water to enhance detection of liquid penetration into the protective clothing or protective ensemble.

5.6 This test method can be used by both manufacturers and end users to assess liquid penetration resistance. Manufacturers can use this test method to evaluate quality of construction and effectiveness of clothing and ensemble configurations.

5.7 The clothing or ensemble shall be sized to fit the mannequin. It is important that the clothing fit the mannequin well since detection of liquid penetration requires as much contact as possible between the clothing or ensemble and the inner liquid-absorptive garment.

5.8 Results on a mismatched size of clothing or ensemble shall not be used to generalize about a particular construction or configuration. Mannequin fit potentially affects liquid penetration resistance determinations.

5.9 There is no known limit to the kind of protective clothing or protective ensembles that can be evaluated with this test method.

5.10 In some cases protective clothing or protective ensembles that show no liquid penetration during this test method will still fail to protect wearers against specific chemicals due to the material degradation, penetration, or permeation or the toxicity associated with the vapor of liquid chemicals.

5.11 In some cases protective clothing or protective ensembles that show no liquid penetration during this test method will still fail to protect wearers in specific circumstances as, for example, deluge or immersion.