Page 5 - Chemical Splash Protection Catalogue from Lac-Mac

LIQUID SPLASH PROTECTION
When liquid splash protection is needed but you do not require vapor protection, it is appropriate to choose a
certified liquid splash protective ensemble which meets the NFPA 1992 standard. These protective ensembles are
selected for their capability to protect against a specific chemical based on penetration data (ASTM F903).
Penetration is the bulk flow of a liquid chemical through the material, seams, or suit closures. NFPA 1992 (2015 edition)
associates liquid-tight integrity and penetration data (ASTM F903) with liquid splash protection. Since garments of
this type are designed to protect the wearer from liquid contact, but allows exposure to vapors, permeation data is
inappropriate for judging material performance for this level of protection.

In addition, the overall ensemble must also demonstrate liquid-tight integrity. NFPA 1992 provides test methods
and criteria for making this assessment. Organizations such as the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) and
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) perform product certifications on protective garment ensembles ensuring that they
meet the NFPA standard.

Other test methods are often used to describe the liquid resistance of materials. However, the choice of liquid
splash protective clothing should be based upon the results of penetration testing that has been performed in
accordance with procedures in ASTM F903, Procedure C, as does NFPA 1992. These criteria provide a truer
evaluation of liquid barrier performance.

MEETS MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS OF NFPA 1992

The National Fire Protection Association publishes standards for chemical protective clothing. One of those
standards is NFPA 1992 (2015 edition) – Standard on Liquid Splash protective Ensembles and Clothing for
Hazardous Materials Emergencies. GORE Chemical Splash Fabric meets the garment material requirement of
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NFPA 1992. Additionally, many of our garments have been independently certified to be compliant with this
important standard. Refer to individual product specifications throughout this brochure for notation of compliance.

THE NFPA STANDARDS

Selecting the correct protective garments requires a clear understanding of what the garment is expected to do
and why it is being worn. This practical and simple approach was used by the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) to establish performance-oriented protective clothing standards defined as follows:

NFP
NFPA 1991 A 1991 VAPOR-PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLES FOR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS EMERGENCIES
NFPA 1992
NFPA 1992 LIQUID SPLASH-PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLES AND CLOTHING FOR HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS EMERGENCIES

These standards address full ensemble performance. Each standard sets minimum levels of performance for
protection provided by the overall ensemble, garment material, seams, closures, and other components.
These criteria have been written with the hazardous chemical emergency response team in mind, but they can
apply to a number of other protective clothing applications as well.
Once again, when vapor protection is needed, DO NOT USE our Chemical Splash Protective garments for
this application!

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