Manned Integrity Testing of the U.S. Coast Guard Chemical Response Suit.
Abstract
This report describes manned integrity testing of the U.S. Coast Guard's Chemical Response Suit designed for hazardous chemical spill response. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory developed a test protocol for measuring the dynamic integrity of totally encapsulating chemical protective suits. This protocol involves the use of both Freon and aerosol challenge agents for measuring suit 'intrusion coefficients' during an exercise routine. In the test, a subject wearing the encapsulating suit and a self-contained breathing apparatus, exercises for 30 minutes while the internal and chamber concentrations of the challenge agents are measured. Intrusion coefficients are measured by ratioing the concentrations of the challenge agent inside and outside the suit. Also pressure inside the suit is measured during the test. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory tested the integrity of several Coast Guard Chemical Response Suits. Intrusion coefficients ranging over 10,000 and internal suit pressures from 0.1 to 7.0 inches water pressure (gauge) were observed. This testing was useful in identifying design problems for early prototypes of the Chemical Response Suit. Keywords: Totally encapsulating chemical protective suit, Dynamic clothing testing, Protection factor, Intrusion coefficient, Freon, Aersol testing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA185736
Entities
People
- James S. Johnson
Organizations
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory