Type 1: Gas Tight
Type 1 coveralls are gas-tight and offer the highest level of protection against workplace hazards. Type 1 suits are completely sealed against the environment, protecting the wearer against any chemical contamination in the form of either liquid or gas, as well as aerosols and solid particles. They are subjected to a test that ensures they are gas-tight and are re-tested regularly. These coveralls are used in highly hazardous industrial environments and by emergency workers.
Type 2: Non-gas Tight
Type 2 coveralls are non-gas tight. They prevent dust, liquids and vapours from entering the suit but must retain a positive pressure to do so. Type 2 suits, like Type 1 suits, are used in highly hazardous industrial areas and by emergency responders.
Type 3: Protection against Liquid
Type 3 coveralls protect the wearer against liquids. They are able to withstand strong, directional jets of liquid. They are tested by having strong jets of liquid blasted at weak points on the suit (seam joins, zip fastenings). Because of these testing requirements, suits of this nature require a barrier fabric and sealed seams. Type 3 suits have a subcategory of classes which is determined by testing their breakthrough time; the amount of time it takes for liquid to enter the suit. Only a minuscule fraction of liquid is permitted to enter before it is deemed a failure. Lower end suits, Class 1, have a breakthrough time of 10 minutes with Class 6 suits on the higher end of the spectrum lasting for over 6 hours without liquid penetration.
Type 4: Protection against Liquid Spray
Type 4 coverall suits offer protection against liquid spray and the saturation of liquids. Testing of this Type of coverall is similar to the testing carried out on Type 3 suits, however, in this test, the liquid is applied to the suit using less pressure and is then allowed to pool on and saturate the suit. During the test, the garment is subject to a shower of liquid over one minute while the subject wearing the suit rotates on a turntable. As with Type 3, this type of coverall requires welded seams so that no liquid can permeate through the suit and onto the wearer.
Type 5: Protection against Airborne Particles
Type 5 coverall suits protect the wearer against dust and dry particles. Type 5 coveralls are tested by having a subject perform exercise on a treadmill while a spray cabin is filled with dust. Particle counters inside the suit then calculate the inward leakage (the amount of dust that enters the suit). They are suitable for industrial cleaning, site preparation and handling insulation. They are also suitable for asbestos and silica protection. When dealing with hazardous materials such as asbestos and silica dust, it is important that workers have completed risk assessments and are wearing the correct clothing to avoid the risk of contamination. These are used once only suits as decontamination cannot be guaranteed. Ansell is a leading brand in the safety space and manufactures quality asbestos suits to keep workers protected on site.
Type 6: Protection against Liquid Chemical Splash
Type 6 coveralls protect the wearer against light spray and splashes. They are similar to Type 3 and Type 4 suits however they are tested with a light spray of liquid which is not permitted to build up on the suit. In this instance, the subject rotates on a turntable as four nozzles spray liquid onto the suit and afterwards the inside of the suit is checked for any penetration. Dependent on the testing criteria and the amount of liquid inside the suit, it will be classed as a pass or a fail. They offer the lowest level of protection and should only be worn in low risk environments.