Early Development of a Hazardous Chemical Protective Ensemble.
Abstract
A U.S. Coast Guard program for developing Hazardous Chemical Protective Ensemble for protection of personnel during chemical spill response is described. Selection and testing of chemically resistant materials, design of a totally encapsulating suit employing the selected materials, design of a full body cooling garment, construction of prototype suits, and laboratory evaluation of the complete ensemble are discussed. The Coast Guard chose butyl rubber, chlorinated polyethylene, and VITON/chlorobutyl laminate for outergarnment materials, and fluorinated ethylene propylene-surlyn laminate as the visor material for a three material suit 'system'. Material selection criterial involved chemical resistance, physical properties, and the material's ability to form high integrity seams. Immersion testing was performed for 160 chemicals and permeation against 56 chemicals for each of the selected materials. Suit seam chemical resistance and material decontamination potential were investigated. The outergarnment was designed to accomodate the cooling system and a variety of commercial breathing and communication devices. Features of the outergarnment included a pressure-sealing zipper, integral gloves, sock-like booties, and internal positive pressure. The cooling system was designed to interface directly with the outergarnment with a full body cooling garment, pump, and field-serviced ice pouch/heat exchanger. Laboratory evaluations included protection factor testing to measure ensemble integrity and manned stress testing to assess ensemble function, fit, and comfort.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA174885
Entities
People
- Jeffrey O. Stull