How to read the pictograms on chemical resistant clothing?

The group of clothing protecting against chemical factors includes clothing that provides protection against hazardous chemicals in the form of: gases, vapors, liquids and dusts. Clothing from this group is used in the event of chemical breakdowns, catastrophes, in the chemical, food and pharmaceutical industries, and in chemical treatment in agriculture. When selecting it, one should pay attention primarily to the type of chemical agent and its concentration (this determines the choice of material for clothing) and the intensity of its action. A properly selected structure allows to cover those areas of the employee's body that are exposed to chemicals. To choose the right product for you, learn how to read the pictograms on chemical resistant clothing.

Division of chemical protective clothing

On the basis of European standards, chemical protective clothing can be divided into 6 types due to the intensity of the chemical substance's effect on the clothing, and the state of aggregation of the chemical substance. The table below shows the pictograms on chemical resistant clothing depending on the type.

Type

Pictogram

(according to DuPont)

Description

Type 1

Gas-tight clothing

TYPE 1 - protects against chemicals in the form of gases, liquids, aerosols and solid particles.

TYPE 1-ET - Requirements for gas-tight clothing intended for chemical rescue services.

Type 2

Non-gas-tight clothing

Protects against chemicals in the form of gases, liquids, aerosols and solid particles. The design of the garment does not ensure complete tightness.

Type 3

Protective clothing against liquid jets

Protects against pressurized fluid jets.

Type 4

Protective clothing against sprayed liquids

It protects against the effects of a chemical substance in the form of a sprayed liquid (not under pressure).

Type 5

Protective clothing against solid particles

Dustproof clothing to protect against dust.

Type 6

Clothing with limited effectiveness of protection against the action of a chemical substance in the form of a liquid

Splash protection.

Classes of resistance and types of chemical resistant clothing

Due to the resistance of the clothing material to the penetration of chemical substances, we divide the clothing into resistance classes depending on the breakthrough time measured in accordance with EN ISO 6529, i.e. the passage of chemical molecules through the thickness of the material.

  • class 1 - breakthrough time> 10 min
  • class 2 - breakthrough time> 30 min
  • class 3 - breakthrough time> 60 min
  • class 4 - breakthrough time> 120 min
  • class 5 - breakthrough time> 240 min
  • class 5 - breakthrough time> 480 min

Due to the time of use, chemical protective clothing can be divided into:

  • clothing intended for short-term or single use - made of nonwovens and foil;
  • clothing intended for long-term use - made of coated and impregnated fabrics, thanks to which they retain greater mechanical strength. It is extremely important to decontaminate it after each contact with chemicals.

In terms of the type of substances against which the clothing protects, we distinguish:

  • clothing protecting against vegetable and animal mineral oils
  • protective clothing against plant protection products
  • acid-resistant clothing - protects against inorganic acids and bases (hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, sodium base, potassium base),
  • oil-resistant clothing - protects against organic acids (lactic acid, acetic acid, formic acid),
  • clothing protecting against paints and varnishes,
  • protective clothing against organic solvents.

Clothing protecting against chemicals is permanently marked with graphic symbols shown in the picture. The graphic symbol with the letter "i" means that you should read the instructions for use.

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