Sample Responses to NIJ Selection Guide Questions on Personal Protection Equipment NIJ Guide 102-00 Buying detection, protection, decontamination, and communication equipment to respond to the threatened terrorist use of chemical or biological warfare agents may be new for public safety agencies. To help procurement officials obtain the best value for their domestic preparedness dollar, the staff of the Center for Domestic Preparedness (Fort McClellan, AL), military Chemical/Biological Units, the National Institute of Justice, and members of a Federal Inter Agency Board have compiled a series of questions. These questions should assist officials in selecting products from the large number in the present day marketplace. In this document, DuPont has provided guidance and reference for completing the selection guide questionnaire as relates to the purchase of DuPont Tychem garments. 1. What chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals, and biological agents has the equipment been tested against? Permeation data for GB, VX, HD and L through DuPont Tychem SL, Tychem CPF2, Tychem CPF3, Tychem F, Tychem BR, Tychem LV, Tychem Responder, Tychem TK and Tychem Reflector are provided in the DuPont Tychem Permeation Guide available on our website at http://www.personalprotection.dupont.com. In addition there is data for GA and GD against Tychem F, Tychem BR, Tychem LV, Tychem Responder, Tychem TK, Tychem Reflector and GD data for Tychem CPF3. The fabrics were tested against the actual chemical agents, not simulants. In many cases the tests were performed at both 10 g/m 2 exposure level, the level at which field protective clothing is tested and 100 g/m 2, which represents total surface coverage and is more in line with the level of permeation tested utilized for toxic industrial chemicals. Permeation data for these fabric against toxic industrial chemicals is also provided in the Tychem Permeation Guide. As of August, 2004, the number of chemicals for which permeation data is available on these fabrics is: Tychem 1 of 8
SL and Tychem CPF2 201; Tychem CPF3 120; Tychem F 184; Tychem CPF4-240; Tychem BR and Tychem LV 284; Tychem Responder - 428; Tychem TK 321 and Tychem Reflector - 294. 2. What were the testing procedures and standards NFPA, ASTM, NIOSH, U.S. Military Standards, NATO, European Standards, MILSPEC? Permeation data and physical properties reported for these materials on our website are measured according to ASTM standards. DuPont offers garments made of Tychem TK, Tychem Responder and Tychem Reflector which are certified compliant to NFPA 1991 with the chem/bio option. The NFPA 1991 compliant Tychem TK garments are also certified as compliant with the liquefied gas option of that standard. DuPont offers Tychem TK and Tychem Responder garments certified compliant with the Class 1 requirements of NFPA 1994 and Tychem CPF3 garments which are certified compliant with the Class 3 requirements of that standard. DuPont also offers Tychem Responder CSM garments which are subjected to a quality control program approved by the US Army CASHPAC committee for live agent protective clothing. That program is conducted and audited by Geomet Technologies, an approved life-agent testing facility. 3. Who conducted the tests and when? Have the test results been verified by an independent laboratory or only by the manufacturer? All published test results on DuPont Tychem fabrics and garments are conducted by certified, third-party testing laboratories with one exception. There are less than 10 permeation results published by DuPont for Tychem materials that were conducted at DuPont Haskell Laboratories. Haskell Laboratory is a world-recognized industrial health and testing laboratory that is run independently within the DuPont Company. 4. What types of tests were conducted spray, vapor, man-in- simulant (MIST)? The details of the garment and material tests required to achieve certification to the NFPA standards are documented within those standards. They include barrier, durability and cold flex testing of all the material used in the ensembles, including the garment materials, visors, gloves, footwear, seams and closures. The barrier testing is permeation after the glove, garment and footwear materials have been flexed and abraded. In addition the entire ensembles are subjected to a 5-nozzle low surface tension liquid shower test. The Level A garments are 2 of 8
subjected to gas inward leakage tests while worn during exercises and inflation tests after the garments are worn during exercises. 5. Were respirators, suits, gloves, and boots tested against the agents individually or as part of an integrated ensemble? The components are tested for barrier individually. The garments certified to the NFPA standards have also been subjected to ensemble gas inward leakage and liquid inward leakage tests. 6. Is the test data available? Where? How can I get a copy? Curves showing concentration as a function of time are better than just a single breakthrough time. All of the data gathered during the certification of the NFPA compliant suits is provided with the garments or can be obtained by contacting DuPont Personal Protection Customer Service at 800-931-3456. The individual test reports for all permeation data provided in the DuPont Tychem Permeation Guide are also available upon request. Please allow sufficient time for clerical staff to retrieve the data. 7. Was the equipment ever used in live agent testing? Who did the testing and is the data available? Only permeation data against live agents is used in the permeation guides. Please refer to the answer above. 8. What is the fabric used to make the suits? How are the seams put together? Simple sewn seams are weakest; covered or bound seams are better. Taped seam garments are available in all Tychem fabrics. Consult Customer Service for selection of the appropriate garment style. The limited-use Tychem fabrics consist of multi-layer thermoplastic barrier films laminated to either polypropylene or polyester nonwoven fabrics. The exact composition of those barrier films is proprietary. 9. What are the breaking strength and tear strengths of the fabrics? How was the equipment wear and tear tested? The physical properties for the Tychem fabrics are provided on the web site. 3 of 8
10. If the manufacturer recommends sealing seams with tape, ask why and whether that was the configuration the suit was tested in. The seam tape used in the DuPont Tychem suits has been tested repeatedly for barrier and strength as part of the NFPA 1991 and NFPA 1994 processes. 11. How flammable is the fabric and how quickly will a hot ember melt through the fabric compromising protection? Is there an aluminized version or overcover for use where there is a fire threat in addition to the toxic agent? In general, Tychem suits are not appropriate for use around heat and flame. The NFPA 1991 certified Tychem ensembles include outer covers which have met certain flame impingement requirements of NFPA 1991. However, that level of testing does not quality the suit for fire-fighting activities or use in flammable or explosive environments. DuPont has introduced a new garment, Tychem ThermoPro which is engineered to be both chemically resistant and thermally protective during flash fire. However, we are not aware of any current test that replicates the conditions of a hot ember so we are unable to make a representation as to performance against that specific hazard. 12. How long does it take to don the equipment and can one-person do it or is a buddy system required? Does the equipment allow sufficient operational flexibility to do the job to include use of firearms and small hand tools? Doffing and donning time requirements are part of the NFPA certification requirements. The values determined for each ensemble are published in the Technical Data package for that ensemble. The NFPA requirements also include hand dexterity limits. The results of that testing are also reported in the technical data packages. 13. What boot and glove sizes are available? Does suit sizing consider people with special builds? For suits, ask for nominal heights and weights one size does not fit all! The sizing chart for DuPont Tychem garments is provided in the product Catalog and in the Tychem users manual, both of which are available on the website. The socks attached to DuPont Tychem garments increase in size from small to 3XL. DuPont suggests that users try on the garments and chosen 4 of 8
footwear to determine if the sock sizing is adequate. Special sizing and modifications can be requested. 14. What training is required to fit face masks? Does the company provide those services and how frequently? How do the masks accommodate prescription glasses, long hair or facial hair? DuPont does not furnish respirators. 15. How long can a responder safely work in the suit at 50 F, at 70 F and at 90 F? Are cooling suits available to help manage heat stress? How much do they cost and what are the maintenance requirements? Do the cooling suits require any penetrations of the suit? Wearers Must be Physically Fit: Ensembles should only be worn by persons who are in good physical condition. Working in chemical protective clothing is strenuous. In an emergency situation or hot environment, the wearer may experience heat stress. Persons who show symptoms of heat stress such as nausea, dizziness, high heart rates, or excessive heat build-up should leave the work area immediately and remove the ensemble as quickly as possible after decontamination. Persons in doubt about their physical condition should check with a physician before wearing chemical protective ensembles. Always Use the Buddy System: Never enter a contaminated area alone. A minimum of two people should enter contaminated areas together. Two additional people, in equally protective garments should be available to affect rescue of the entry team. All persons entering the contaminated area should wear appropriate protective equipment. Manage and Prevent Heat Stress: This garment interferes with the natural regulation of body temperature. This can lead to a rise in core body temperature and heat stress. The wearer should be aware of the symptoms and treatment of heat stress. The wearer can take several steps to limit and/or prevent heat stress, such as the use of a cooling system, and implementation of a conservative work/rest schedule. The maximum time the ensemble can be worn depends on such variables as the air supply, ambient condition, climate inside the ensemble, physical and psychological condition of the wearer, work rate and work load. The TLV pocket guide from the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH, Cincinnati) provides corrected heat stress limits for totally encapsulating garments. Similar information is available on the federal OSHA web site ( www.osha.gov). The WBGT correction factor for chemical protective garments is at least 10 C or higher for totally encapsulating garments. An individual s response to heat can vary with age, health, diet and behavior as well as the environment, work load and garment. Anyone who provides a simple 5 of 8
time/temperature/humidity limit does not understand heat stress. For example, an overweight, aged responder who has imbibed a large quantity of alcohol the previous day will have a significantly lower tolerance to heat than a young Army recruit in the middle of summer basic training. Most individuals, who are healthy and do not have pre-existing conditions, who are not already overheated, who are not operating in excessively hot environments or performing extremely hard and prolonged exertion, can generally operate in a chemical suit for up to 30 minutes due to the natural heat capacity of the human body. DuPont also makes available cooling vests and in the past has worked with cooling vest companies to install pass-thrus for tethered cooling systems, both circulating fluids and circulating air. 16. Can the protective equipment be decontaminated after use or must it be disposed of? What are the decon and sampling procedures? What tests are required to verify that protection capability has not been compromised in the process? What are the procedures and costs for disposing of used equipment, for example spent mask filters? Limited-use Tychem garment can be worn until damaged or contaminated. DuPont recommends decontamination of the garments with mild soap and water to permit the safe doffing of the garment. No chemical decontamination agent should be used on Tychem garments. These garments are not intended to be decontaminated and re-used. 17. How long has the company/manufacturer been involved with the Chem- Bio-Nuc and first responder industries? DuPont has been involved in the manufacture of protective clothing for over 30 years. 18. Ask for names and phone numbers of departments currently using the company s equipment. Ask to follow-up on the phone any written testimonials. You local DuPont Sales Representative can provide you the names of nearby units using Tychem garments. Contact information for our Sales Representatives can be found on our web site: http://www.dupontprotectiveapprl.com/en/contactus/usasalesteam.shtml 6 of 8
19. What additional items are required to operate/maintain the equipment? At what cost? A test unit to conduct periodic inflation testing of Tychem Level A garments is available. 20. What training materials are provided manuals, videotapes? Are less expensive training suits available? Is there a chart available identifying PPE requirements as a function of agents and concentrations? DuPont representatives are available to provide training and to help you adapt the DuPont technical information to your training needs. In addition, the Tychem User Manual is available on the web site. DuPont offers 5 options for training suits, depending on your needs. Consult the Product Catalog. 21. What type of warranty/maintenance support is offered? Cost? Garments are warranted for 90 days from date of receipt for workmanship. 22. What is the return rate on the equipment under warranty? What are the top five reasons for failure? We receive complaints on less than 0.1% of the products we ship. 23. What similar companies products has this product been tested against? DuPont tests the performance of the Tychem product against needs of the endusers. 24. What is the shelf life for the equipment? (Open-exposed, closedexposed, open-unexposed, closed-unexposed). What is the recommended storage procedure after opening (hanging, folded, etc.)? What factors, if any, decrease shelf life (UV, critical temperature )? Storage Life; DuPont Tychem chemical protective garments may contain materials, including gloves, closures and exhaust valves for which there is no specific storage life data available. It is suggested that garments be labeled and retired to Training Use Only after 5 years. Garments may be used as long as they pass a full visual inspection. In addition to the visual inspection, Level A garments should also pass the ASTM F1052 inflation test. Uncontaminated garments that do not pass a visual inspection (Level A garments should also pass the inflation test) should be retired and labeled For Training Use Only or be discarded. 7 of 8
Optimum Storage Conditions; Preferably, garments should be stored in a cool, dark, dry location free of dirt and insects. Sunlight, ozone, high temperatures (>120 F), vehicle exhaust fumes, compression under heavy weights and sharp edges or projections are some conditions known to degrade the materials in these ensembles. Garments should be stored in boxes, in bags or on hangers. Never step on chemical protective garments. Never place or store heavy objects on top of chemical garments. 25. What are the environmental limitations high temp, low temp, humidity, sand/dust, or broken glass? See above. This information corresponds to technical data DuPont believes to be reliable. This information may be subject to revisions as additional experience and knowledge are gained. It is offered solely to provide possible suggestions for your own experimentation. It is not intended, however, to substitute for any testing you may need to conduct to determine for yourself the suitability of our products for your particular purposes. It is the user s responsibility to determine the level of risk and the proper personal protection equipment needed. Because conditions are outside of our control, DUPONT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AND ASSUMES NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER AS TO THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS PRODUCT FOR A PARTICULAR USE. Nothing in this publication is to be considered as a license to operate under or a recommendation to infringe any patent or trademark right. 1The information in Appendix A was provided by the National Domestic Preparedness Office (NDPO) in coordination with the National Institute of Justice and the Technical Support Working Group. Copyright 2004 E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. All rights reserved. The DuPont oval, the miracles of science, Tychem, Responder and Reflector are all trademarks or registered trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates. H-96430 8/04 8 of 8