EN 13034
EN 13034: Protective clothing against liquid chemicals – Limited protective performance.
Due to the complex requisites, which are obligatory for these PPE, we gladly refer to the guidelines, which are supplied with the garments.
The guide describes the classification of different properties which must be tested.
EN 13034 covers the lowest level of chemical protection intendent to protect from a potential exposure to small quantities of spray or accidental low volume splashes of less hazardous chemicals against which a complete liquid permeation barrier (at a molecular level) is not required.
The following parameters are used:
Type 6 suits protect at least the trunk and limbs (e.g. one-piece coveralls or two piece suits)
Type PB[6]
Partial body protection Type PB[6] cover and protect only specific parts of the body (e.g. Jackets, aprons,…)
As for the previously described Type 3 and Type 4 clothing, EN 13034 also refers to (partially different) test methods specified in EN 14325. For all requirements, except for liquid penetration and repellency, at least performance level 1 shall be obtained.
EN 13034 – Protection against liquid chemicals
Use the garment in combination with other garments providing protection as defined in EN 13034. Chemical protective suit (Type 6) shall cover and protect at least the trunk and the limbs, e.g. one-piece coveralls or two piece suits, with or without hood, boot-socks or boot-covers. Chemical protective suit (Type 6) forms the lowest level of chemical protection and is intended to be used if risks have been assessed as low and a full liquid permeation barrier is not necessary, i.e. when wearers are able to take timely adequate action when their clothing is contaminated. Low risks could be e.g. a potential exposure to small quantities of spray or accidental low volume splashes.
Note that prolonged wearing of chemical protective suits may cause heat stress!
All chemical protective clothing materials are tested and classified in accordance with Table 1. The construction of seams shall prevent penetration of liquid through stitch holes or through other components of a seam and not obstruct run-off of the liquid.
Table 1: Performance requirements (EN 14325:2004)
| Tests | Test method | Performance requirements |
| Abrasion resistance | EN 530-2 | Class 1: > 10 cycles |
| Trapezoidal tear resistance | ISO 9073-4 | Class 1: > 10 N |
| Tensile strength | ISO 13934-1 | Class 1: > 30 N |
| Puncture resistance | EN 863 | Class 1: > 5 N |
| Repellency to liquids* | ISO 6530:2005 (ex.EN 368) | Class 3: > 95% |
| Resistance to penetration by liquids* | ISO 6530:2005 (ex.EN 368) | Class 3: > 95% |
Use the garment in combination with other garments providing protection as defined in EN 13034. Chemical protective suit (Type 6) shall cover and protect at least the trunk and the limbs, e.g. one-piece coveralls or two piece suits, with or without hood, boot-socks or boot-covers. Chemical protective suit (Type 6) forms the lowest level of chemical protection and is intended to be used if risks have been assessed as low and a full liquid permeation barrier is not necessary, i.e. when wearers are able to take timely adequate action when their clothing is contaminated. Low risks could be e.g. a potential exposure to small quantities of spray or accidental low volume splashes.
Note that prolonged wearing of chemical protective suits may cause heat stress!
All chemical protective clothing materials are tested and classified in accordance with Table 1. The construction of seams shall prevent penetration of liquid through stitch holes or through other components of a seam and not obstruct run-off of the liquid.
Example of test results of Multi-risk fr-fabric (with additional treatment against splashes of liquid chemicals
| REPELLENCY TO LIQUIDS & RESISTANCE TO PENETRATION BY LIQUIDS 30% Sulphuric Acid (H2S04) | ||||||
| Specimen | 1↑ | 2↑ | 3↑ | 4→ | 5→ | 6→ |
| Repellency, % | 98.9 | 98.3 | 98.4 | 98.7 | 98.1 | 98.4 |
| Penetration, % | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| REPELLENCY TO LIQUIDS & RESISTANCE TO PENETRATION BY LIQUIDS 10% Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) | ||||||
| Specimen | 1↑ | 2↑ | 3↑ | 4→ | 5→ | 6→ |
| Repellency, % | 99.5 | 99.4 | 99.3 | 99.3 | 99.1 | 99.5 |
| Penetration, % | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| REPELLENCY TO LIQUIDS & RESISTANCE TO PENETRATION BY LIQUIDS Butan-1-ol | ||||||
| Specimen | 1↑ | 2↑ | 3↑ | 4→ | 5→ | 6→ |
| Repellency, % | 96.8 | 96.6 | 95.0 | 95.6 | 96.4 | 96.6 |
| Penetration, % | 2.0 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 1.6 |
| REPELLENCY TO LIQUIDS & RESISTANCE TO PENETRATION BY LIQUIDS o-Xylene | ||||||
| Specimen | 1￪ | 2￪ | 3￪ | 4→ | 5→ | 6→ |
| Repellency, % | 93.7 | 92.7 | 91.7 | 89.8 | 90.1 | 88.3 |
| Penetration, % | 4.7 | 4.0 | 6.1 | 7.3 | 7.3 | 7.3 |
Example of test results of Multi-risk fr-fabric (with additional treatment against splashes of liquid chemicals
| REPELLENCY TO LIQUIDS & RESISTANCE TO PENETRATION BYLIQUIDS | ||
| Class | Repellency index(%) | Penetration Index (%) |
| 3 | >95 | <1 |
| 2 | >90 | <5 |
| 1 | >80 | <10 |
| Chemical | Class Repellency | Class Penetration |
| 30% Sulphuric Acid (H2S04) | 3 | 2 |
| 10% Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) | 3 | 3 |
| o-Xylene | 1 | 1 |
| Butan-1-ol | 2 | 2 |