STANDARDS

EN 14325: 2004 – PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AGAINST CHEMICALS – TEST METHODS AND PERFORMANCE CLASSIFICATION OF CHEMICAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING MATERIALS AND SEAMS

Abrasion resistance of protective clothing material – EN 530: 2010, METHOD 2

This European Standard describes two test methods on abrasion resistance of materials using the same abrasion apparatus. This test uses the Martindale Abrasion tester employed in the inverted mode.

This test checks the durability of the non-woven fabrics.

Classification is based on the lowest single result of the 4 samples that are tested

A result classified in Classes 1 to 6: 6 is highest.

• Class 1 > 10 cycles
• Class 2 > 100 cycles
• Class 3 > 500 cycles
• Class 4 > 1000 cycles
• Class 5 > 1500 cycles
• Class 6 > 2000 cycles

   WEEJET FABRIC RESULTS: Class 6 > 2000 cycles

WEEPRO FABRIC RESULTS : Class 4 > 1000 cycles

WEECOVER FABRIC RESULTS: Class 2 > 100 cycles

Flex cracking resistance of protective clothing material: EN ISO 7854: 1997, METHOD B

This test is managed to determine the resistance of coated fabrics to damage by flexing. Three samples are tested for a number of cycles, until damage is detected on the outer surface of the non-woven fabric.

A result classified in Classes 1 to 6: 6 is highest.

• Class 1 > 1000 cycles
• Class 2 > 2500 cycles
• Class 3 > 5000 cycles
• Class 4 > 15000 cycles
• Class 5 > 40000 cycles
• Class 6 > 100000 cycles

WEEJET FABRIC RESULTS: Class 1 > 1000 cycles

WEEPRO FABRIC RESULTS: Class 6 > 100000 cycles

WEECOVER FABRIC RESULTS: Class 6 > 100000 cycles

Trapezoidal tear resistance of protective clothing material: EN ISO 9073-4: 1997.

This test is an assessment of the strength of the fabric. Five samples are tested and classified using the mean result for the 5 results in each of the MD and CD of the material.

• Class 1 > 10N
• Class 2 > 20N
• Class 3 > 40N
• Class 4 > 60N
• Class 5 > 100N
• Class 6 > 150N

WEEJET FABRIC RESULTS: Class 3 > 40 Newtons

WEEPRO FABRIC RESULTS: Class 2 > 20 Newtons

WEECOVER FABRIC RESULTS: Class 2 > 20 Newtons

TeNsile strength: EN ISO 13934-1: 1999

This test is an assessment of the determination of maximum force and elongation at maximum force using the strip method. Five samples are tested and classified using the mean result for the 5 results in each of the MD and CD of the material.

• Class 1 > 30N
• Class 2 > 60N
• Class 3 > 100N
• Class 4 > 250N
• Class 5 > 500N
• Class 6 > 1000N

WEEJET FABRIC RESULTS: Class 2 > 60 Newtons

WEEPRO FABRIC RESULTS: Class 2 > 60 Newtons

WEECOVER FABRIC RESULTS: Class 2 > 60 Newtons

Puncture resistance: EN 863: 1995

This test is an assessment to measure the Puncture resistance of the fabric to ensure it meets minimum requirements. Four samples are tested and classified using the mean result for the 4 results.

• Class 1 > 5N
• Class 2 > 10N
• Class 3 > 50N
• Class 4 > 100N
• Class 5 > 150N
• Class 6 > 250N

WEEJET FABRIC RESULTS: Class 2 > 10 Newtons

WEEPRO FABRIC RESULTS: Class 1 > 5 Newtons

WEECOVER FABRIC RESULTS: Class 1 > 5 Newtons

SEAMS STRENGHT TEST – EN ISO 13935-2

Specifies methods for the determination of seam maximum force of sewn seams when the force is applied perpendicularly to the seam. A result classified in Classes 1 to 6: 6 is highest.

Classe 1 > 10 cycles

Classe 2 > 100 cycles

Classe 3 > 500 cycles

Classe 4 > 1000 cycles

Classe 5 > 1500 cycles

Classe 6 > 2000 cycles

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. EN ISO 6530 – PROTECTION AGAINST LIQUID CHEMICALS. TEST METHOD FOR RESISTANCE OF MATERIALS OF PENETRATION BY LIQUIDS.

The European Standard EN ISO 6530 measures liquid penetration through a fabric and liquid repellency by a fabric. Penetration or penetration is a physical process in which a liquid pass through the pores or holes in the fabric into the fabric.

The penetration results for each chemical are shown in three different performance classes. If the penetration is below 10 percent, it is evaluated as the first class, below 5 percent as the second class and below 1 percent as the third class. Test time 1 minute.

PENETRATION INDEX – % of liquid absorbed by the fabric.

Class 1 > 80%

Class 2 > 90%

Class 3 > 95%

The absorption index refers to the percentage of test fluid held in the fabric but not penetrating the fabric. Test time 1 minutes

REPELLENCY INDEX – % of remaining liquid collected

Class 1 > 80%

Class 2 > 90%

Class 3 > 95%

For the both tests (penetration and repellency) 4 chemicals products are tested:

30% Sulphuric Acid

10% Sodium Hydroxide

Xylene

Butan-1-ol

TEST RESULTS FOR THE WEESAFE FABRICS

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. EN ISO 6529 – PROTECTION AGAINST LIQUID CHEMICALS. DETERMINATION OF RESISTANCE OF PROTECTIVE CLOTHING MATERIALS TO PERMEATION BY LIQUIDS

What is the permeation? Permeation is the process by which a hazardous liquid chemical moves through a material, in a molecular form. Permeation can be represented by the following simplified diagram.

The resistance of a protective clothing fabric to permeation by a hazardous chemical is determined by measuring the breakthrough time and the permeation rate of the chemical through the fabric. Permeation rate is the rate at which the hazardous chemical permeates through the test fabric. Permeation rate is expressed as a mass (in µg) of hazardous chemical flowing through a fabric area (in cm2) per unit of time (in min). The breakthrough time is the time elapsed between initial contact of the chemical with the outside surface of the fabric and the detection of the chemical at the inside surface.

PERFORMANCE CLASSIFICATION – BREAKTHROUGH TIMES – According to EN374-3

Breakthrough time in minutes

>= 10 MIN –   Class 1

>= 30 MIN –   Class 2

>= 60 MIN –   Class 3

>= 120 MIN – Class 4

>= 240 MIN – Class 5

>= 480 MIN – Class 6

EXAMPLES OF TEST RESULTS FOR THE WEEJET FABRICS

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AGAINST INFECTIVE AGENTS. EN 14126: 2003

According to the EU directive 2000/54EC2000/54/EC the employer is under obligation to make suitable protective clothing available to his employees.

According to EN 14126, in order to protect against bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms, specific requirements are defined for the clothing materials used to protect against infectious agents.

Applicable standards according to clothing type

1aB, 1bB, 1cB, 2B Gas-tight, non-gas-tight EN 943-1

EN 14605 3B Protection against pressurised liquid chemicals

EN 14605 4B Protection against liquid saturation

EN 13034 6B Limited protection against liquid mist or splash

EN ISO 13982-1 5B Protection against airborne solid particulates

Applicable test to determine the protection class against several specific biological hazards

Resistance to penetration by viruses – ISO 16604

Test method ISO 16604 indicates the protection level against the penetration of viruses carried by blood and is mostly preceded by a visual screening of the resistance to penetration by blood according to ISO 16603.The test results are translated into a classification between 1 and 6. Class 6 is the highest.

Classification according to ISO 16604, test results in kPa:

20 kPa –   Class 6

14 kPa –   Class 5

7 kPa –   Class 4

3.5 kPa – Class 3

1.75 kPa – Class 2

0.0 kPa – Class 1

Resistance to penetration by bacteria – ISO 22610

Test method ISO 22610 determines the protection level against the penetration of bacteria by mechanical rubbing under humid conditions. The test results are translated into a classification between 1 and 6. Class 6 is the highest and corresponds to the absence of any breakthrough after 75 minutes.

Classification according to ISO 22610 – Test results in minutes

> 75 min. –   Class 6

> 60 min. –   Class 5

> 45 min. –   Class 4

> 30 min. – Class 3

> 15 min. – Class 2

< 15 min. – Class 1

Resistance to penetration by biologically contaminated aerosols – ISO 22611

Test method ISO 22611 determines the resistance of a material against penetration by a bacteria infected aerosol through a comparing membrane filtration under low pressure. The test results are translated into a classification between 1 and 3. Class 3 is the highest and with level 3 corresponding with a penetration of less than 0,001%.

Classification according to ISO 22611 – Test results is calculated and presented in log units.

> 5 – Class 3

> 3 – Class 2

> 1 – Class 1

Resistance to penetration by contaminated dust ISO 22612

Test method ISO 22612 determines the protection level against particles contaminated with bacteria. For the barrier test against biologically contaminated solid particles, a pre-sterilised material specimen is fixed in the test apparatus and administered with contaminated talcum powder. The test results are translated into a classification between 1 and 3. Class 3 is the highest, level 3 corresponding with the penetration of less than 10 contaminated particles.

Classification according to ISO 22612 – Test results is calculated and presented in log units.

≤ 1 – Class 3

≤ 2 – Class 2

≤ 3 – Class 1

EN14126 – Comparative performance of WeeSafe protective garments

*Hermetically sealed suits complying with the most severe requirements are needed. WEEJET and WEEPRO MAX PLUS suits are made from taped seams.

**The clothing shall be indicated by adding a suffix “-B”, e.g. type 3-B and by using the appropriate pictogram.

WHOLE SUIT TEST PERFORMANCE

STANDARD EN 14605+A1 :2009 – TYPE 3- TEST METHOD EN ISO 17491-3 :2008

Test method determines the resistance to penetration by a jet of liquid (jet test). This method is conducted with a strong jet of liquid such as that from a pressure sprayer (3 bars), situated at 1m away from the garment.

STANDARD EN 14605+A1 :2009 – TYPE 4- TEST METHOD EN ISO 17491-4 :2008

Test method determines the resistance to penetration an intense spray of a water based liquid. This method is conducted by spray as a fine mist for one minute. During one minute, the test subject rotates on a turntable and makes a stepping motion.

STANDARD EN ISO13982-1: 2004+A1:2010 – TYPE 5 – EN ISO 13982-2 Method B

Test method for the Type 5, against hazardous dust particles, includes a finished garment spray cabin test defined in EN 13982-2:2004.

The test involves to exposing 10 test coveralls entering a spray cabin and performing three exercises: standing, walking and squatting (9 minutes per movement). Three probes inside the garment count the particles that penetrate during each exercise. A fourth probe outside the garment counts the number of particles in the spray cabin. The test produces 90 individual TIL results (TIL = Total Inward Leakage)

In order to pass the test the inward leakage must be less than 30%, for 82 of 90 of the measurements. (Ljmn, 82/90 ≤ 30%). A second measurement is established: the average inward leakage (all movements and measurement positions for each suit – 9 points) must be less than 15% for 8 of the 10 suits. (Ls, 8/10 ≤ 15%).

STANDARD EN 13034 : 2005+A1 2009 – TYPE 6 – EN ISO 17491-4 : 2008 Method A

Test method determines the resistance of chemical protective clothing to penetration by sprays of liquid chemicals at two different levels of intensity: Method A: low-level spray test.

STANDARD EN ISO 13935-2 SEAMS STRENGTH

Specifies methods for the determination of seam maximum force of sewn seams when the force is applied perpendicularly to the seam. The test seam efficiency is performed by using a tensile testing machine. A fabric without a seam is placed between the clamps of a tensile testing machine and force is applied until failure occurs.

ADDITIONAL FABRIC PHYSICAL TESTS

STANDARD EN 1149-5:2008 – Protective clothing. Electrostatic properties.

The standard specifies a method for testing materials to be used in the manufacture of electrostatic dissipative protective clothing intended to avoid incendiary discharges. A material intended to dissipate electrostatic charges must meet at least one of the following requirements: 50% < 4 s or S > 0.2, verified according to test method 2 (induction charging) specified in EN 1149-3. Else a surface resistance less than or equal to 2.5 x 109 Ω, verified according to EN 1149-1, on at least one surface.

BARRIER TO RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATED PARTICLES – EN1073-2:2002

PART 2: REQUIREMENTS AND TEST METHODS FOR NON-VENTILATED PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AGAINST PARTICULATE RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATION

The standard specifies the requirement for protective clothing against radioactive contamination as the radioactive particles like dust. This standard doesn’t cover the radiation exposure, but rather to prevent or minimize the radioactive contamination.

From the test method for the Type 5, against hazardous dust particles, includes a finished garment spray cabin test defined in EN 13982-2:2004, the test involves to exposing 6 test coveralls. A person wearing a coverall is placed in a test chamber which contains an aerosol, and makes some movements (standing, walking, squatting) during the sequence. The person is fitted with 3 test probes on the body, to measure any dry aerosol coming into the suit. Using the test results from the Inward leakage test, we determine the Nominal Protection Factor for the suit.

The Inward leakage (IL) is calculated as the concentration inside the suit. Two values are then calculated:

• Total Inward Leakage % – TILA %- average results all activities and all positions.
• Total Inward Leakage % -TILE % – average inward leakage results all positions for one activity of standing, walking or squatting.