As the father of a firefighter, I know that
impulsive decisions can often mean the difference
between life and death. While emergency
response teams must have the ability
to make split-second decisions, they must
also take the time that is necessary when it
comes to selecting their hazmat gear.
One question that begs advanced preparation
and thought is, “What to Look for
When Selecting a Certified Hazmat Suit?”
There are several types of certification,
but this article will address NFPA 1991,
the gold-standard in hazmat safety. This
certification represents the highest standard
in hazmat suit protection on the
market, as suits must pass the organization’s
rigorous tests of both physical and
chemical resistance.
While NFPA 1991 certification is an important indicator of a hazmat suit’s
quality, considering the following elements
will help to further facilitate a
responsible decision:
Weight and Maneuverability
Weight and maneuverability directly affect
endurance and safety out in the field,
making them two of the most important
considerations when selecting an NFPA
1991 certified hazmat suit. The most notable
factor influencing weight is the number
of layers used to produce the suit.
Single-skin suits are advantageous, as
their overall thinness often makes them
lighter than their multi-layer counterparts.
Selecting a single-skin suit can save as
much as 8 pounds. With the average firefighter
carrying 35 to 40 pounds of equipment,
each pound spared is a welcome
relief on the joints and heart. Single layer
suits also facilitate a wider range of motion,
allowing hazmat personnel to maneuver
both hands and body easily, while operating
inside the suit.
Material
Material is the foundation of any hazmat
suit, and it can mean the difference between
protection and exposure. If a product has
received NFPA 1991 certification, you can
rest assured that its material has passed an
abrasion test and will be able to combat
chemical permeation in the event of damage
to the suit while in use.
During the test, sandpaper is used to
abrade the suit’s material. After the material
has been abraded, the suit is tested to ensure
chemicals are not able to permeate
through the remaining material.
Considering the type of material composition
will allow you to further gauge the
durability of a suit. Material can be composed
of fluoropolymers, rubbers, or thermoplastics.
Fluoropolymers offer the
greatest temperature resistance as they are
able to withstand heat up to 500º F with no
material degradation. Thermoplastics generally
melt when exposed to temperatures
as low as 300º F and rubbers are often stiff
and heavy.
Fit
When evaluating fit, you want to consider
each component of your hazmat gear,
as well as the complete ensemble.
Glove: Dexterity is the key test when trying
on gloves. Traditional multi-layer glove
systems have poor dexterity, making it nearly impossible to bend the fingers.
Multi-layer gloves also have a tendency to
invert, making reinsertion of the hand difficult.
If a hazmat tech has just finished
using his radio, he must have the ability to
reinsert his hand quickly. Single-piece
gloves provide greater dexterity, making
removal and reinsertion of the hands a
simple task. A single-piece construction
also means that no layers can be physically
removed, ensuring consistent, maximum
protection.
Visor: Whether fixing a gas leak, or navigating
through toxic chemicals, visibility
is crucial to all hazmat operations. Often,
suit visors will hang loosely on the face,
causing poor visibility. This is sometimes
the result of a poorly fitting suit. Your visor
should rest comfortably and securely across
the brow line, using the internal pressures of
the suit. Some of the more durable constructions
have the visor directly welded
into the suit’s material.
Internal belt: Not all suits have an internal
belt system. Look for suits that include
this feature, which couples the suit to the
user’s waist to increase the range of motion
and overall function of your suit. Internal
belts serve to promote stability by holding
the suit up at waist level, subsequently easing
pressure off the neck and head.
Integral booties: It is common for integral
booties to bunch up inside the overboot.
This results in discomfort while
standing and walking, and can ultimately
affect your safety by making it difficult to
walk as you navigate through dangerous
scenarios. To prevent this problem, some
integral booties are composed of soft material,
which remains very comfortable
when inside the overboot. This is a small
feature that makes a big difference in the
overall fit of your suit.
Complete Ensemble: Frequently, suits
can be too rigid or stiff, making it difficult
to maneuver while in dangerous situations.
When trying a suit on, be sure that movement
is fluid, not strained by the fit of the
suit. The first tests of maneuverability are
simple: make sure you can squat down,
bend over, and reach arms high into the air
with minimum discomfort and aggravation.
Maintenance
Maintenance is important from both a
safety and cost-savings perspective. Two
elements that affect maintenance are shelf
life and exhaust valves. A common shelf
life is five years. Some suits exceed that by offering 15 or more years.
Also, note that some suits contain exhaust
valves, which carry their own maintenance
requirements. For these products,
users should be aware that they will need
to change the rubber diaphragm in the valve
every two years. If you are not up for this
extra step, look for a valve that requires no
maintenance at all.
Finally, while the above
elements are important
to consider when
selecting a certified
hazmat suit, never
forget the most basic
step. Take your suit for
a test walk.
