scope:

This standard shall specify minimum requirements for the design, performance, testing, documentation, and certification of vapor-protective ensembles and ensemble elements used by emergency response personnel during hazardous materials incidents and chemical, biological, or radiological terrorism incidents.

This standard shall also specify criteria for chemical agents, biological agents, and radioactive particulates encountered during terrorism incidents.

This standard shall also specify additional optional criteria for vapor-protective ensembles that provide escape protection from chemical flash fires encountered during hazardous materials incidents.

This standard shall specify requirements for new vapor-protective ensembles and new ensemble elements.

This standard alone shall not specify requirements for protective clothing for any fire fighting applications.

This standard alone shall not specify requirements for protection against ionizing radiation, cryogenic liquid hazards, or explosive atmospheres.

This standard shall not specify requirements for the respiratory protection that is necessary for proper protection with the protective ensemble.

Certification of compliant vapor-protective ensembles and compliant elements to the requirements of this standard shall not preclude certification to additional appropriate standards where the ensemble or ensemble elements meet all the applicable requirements of each standard.

This standard shall not be construed as addressing all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use for the designing, manufacturing, testing, or certifying of product to meet the requirements of this standard. It shall be the responsibility of the persons and organizations that use this standard to establish safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use of this standard.

Nothing herein shall restrict any jurisdiction or manufacturer from exceeding these minimum requirements.