Performance Requirements For Protective Clothing

This technical report is structured to be as broad as possible in listing multiple test methods with minimum performance requirements in order to maximize the potential that an employer will find appropriate data from different manufacturers. However, it is important to note that different test methods, while similar, do not yield the same absolute results due to differences in test equipment, conditions, and procedures. These particular methods/standards have been selected because they are broadly used in the industry and current international protective clothing classification standards to describe the performance levels provided by garments and to differentiate the protection levels provided. Employers should be aware that garments qualifying under different standard methods may in fact provide different levels of protection. Limited information is available to compare different products using these test methods.

Standards are available to define the performance requirements for clothing or clothing materials used to protect against infectious agents. ANSI/AAMI PB70, EN 13795, EN 14126, and NFPA 1999 are examples of standards frequently used in the United States and Europe. ANSI/AAMI PB70 is used to classify the garments used in the healthcare industry, such as surgical and isolation gowns. Typically, EN 14126 is used for protective coveralls, and EN 13795 is used for surgical gowns. NFPA 1999-2013 is primarily intended for emergency medical first responders, but its scope also covers medical first receivers.