Collection: Chemical Protective Clothing

Workers in a variety of industries such as oil, gas and petrochemical require protection against hazardous chemicals. Thousands of chemicals used as feedstock products, as catalysts in production systems or as products present a whole range of hazards – from immediate skin burns and irritation, high flammability through to long term health effects such as cancers, organ damage and damage to the unborn baby.

The fact of long term health hazards makes protection against chemicals more problematic than most workplace hazards that safety managers must address. Most hazards are relatively simple and straightforward; if a brick falls on a construction workers head the effect is immediate and a hard hat is the obvious solution; the consequences of a flash fire occur when it happens and are very evident – suitable FR workwear is the clear solution. Many chemicals however have no immediate effects.

If a wearer is contaminated he or she may not even be aware of it and may only become so months or even years later when the resulting cancers or other health effects become apparent… and those consequences are commonly catastrophic and often lethal. Furthermore, depending on the chemical those consequences may result from very small volumes of a chemical; toxicity is measured in micrograms – which is why chemical protection is assessed through permeation which deals with very small amounts of liquids.

So makes the fact that probably the most common misunderstanding in the PPE industry relates to chemical permeation somewhat surprising – though understandable. Most users assess suitability of chemical protection by referring to chemical permeation test breakthrough, the result of a test which measures permeation resistance of chemical suit fabric to a specific chemical, the result often quoted as a “breakthrough” of >480 Minutes.

Most users interpret this as “None of the chemical has permeated through the fabric in 480 minutes therefore I can safely use the suit for up to 480 minutes”

Unfortunately this is not what “breakthrough” in this case means. In fact the test is measuring a time until the RATE (or (SPEED) of permeation reaches a specific level (usually 1.0µg/min/cm²). So “breakthrough” does not mean none of the chemical has broken through at all – in fact at the point of breakthrough the chemical has already been permeating through the fabric for some time – as indicated by the graph below.

So those selecting chemical suits should not rely solely on permeation test data; chemical may have permeated through the fabric well BEFORE the breakthrough and in the case of chemicals with high toxicity and long term effects this could be critical. The widespread use of test “breakthrough” to indicate safe-use time for chemical suits in a misunderstanding – probably the biggest – and potentially the most dangerous – in the PPE industry.

Lakeland supply a range of chemical suits. ChemMax® 3, ChemMax® 4 Plus and Interceptor® Plus work with Permasure® – Lakeland free-to-use smartphone app that calculates safe-wear times based on permeation rates and the toxicity of over 4000 chemicals. You can download more about Permasure® from the page below.

Permasure®

PermaSURE® V4 – the first available Whole Suit Safe-Wear Time Modeler – is here.

Current methods of selection and assessment of chemical protective clothing focus on the Permeation Test “Breakthrough”. For several reasons this is misplaced. Not only is the test widely and dangerously misunderstood, because it focusses on the possibility of tiny volumes of a chemical passing through the fabric at a molecular level, it ignores the much greater risk, the possibility that larger volumes will pass through the suits’ construction. Poorly constructed seams, an unsealed zipper, or gaps between the chemical suit and other PPE worn are more likely routes of ingress inside the garment. So, a focus on the fabric permeation resistance test can mean this greater risk is ignored. And, unless you are wearing a fully-encapsulating suit, some penetration via these routes – especially of vapourised chemical – is almost inevitable.

PermaSURE® V4 address these problems. Using an advanced molecular modeler it calculates not only permeation of chemical through the fabric, but also it assesses, using independently tested Inward Leakage Protection Factors and based on the whole suit design and how it is worn, penetration of liquid and vapourised chemical through any gaps in the construction and whole suit ensemble.

Then, using a database of known toxicological data on over 2,400 chemicals, it calculates how long until the Total Inward Leakage may reach the point where health effects – either temporary or permanent – might occur.

In other words, PermaSURE V4 represents the first available, science and data-driven, whole chemical suit ensemble Safe-Wear Time assessment for users of chemical suits. In short, it tells you exactly how long a chemical suit is safe to wear to protect against a specific chemical.

PermaSURE V4 works with Lakeland chemical suits ChemMax® 3, ChemMax 4 Plus and Interceptor Plus. It is free to download and use.

For more information contact [email protected]

Interceptor® Plus

Interceptor Plus works with Permasure® – a free to use smart-phone app that calculates safe –wear times based on permeation rate and chemical toxicity. Find out more here

Interceptor® Plus is Lakeland’s flagship limited life chemical protective suit. Fully gas-tight, certified to EN 943 part 1 and with a fabric developed by and unique to Lakeland. Unique properties and features, including a fabric lighter than similar garments available, make Interceptor® Plus an invaluable addition to users’ arsenal for protection against dangerous liquid and gaseous chemicals.

Key Features:

Certified to EN 943-1 (Type 1a) – fully gas-tight suit with SCBA worn INSIDE the suit
Multi-layer film technology creates light and flexible high barrier against a wide range of high hazard chemicals. Weight 365gsm.
Superior design featuring double-taped seams (inside & out).
Standard or wide-vision visor options; two-layer visor with unique sealing technology for high chemical barrier.
Double layer chemical glove system.
European manufactured fabric. Tested against a full range of chemical warfare agents for anti-terror and civil defence operations.
Very soft and flexible material for enhanced comfort.
Front and rear entry design options.
Inner North Silvershield® chemical glove with outer 27 mil butyl glove: bond between glove layers to ensure comfort and easy removal of hands.
Two rear mounted exhaust valves.
Attached sock boot with boot overflaps

Pyrolon CRFR Safety Clothing

A Type 3 & 4 chemical protective suit meeting EN14116 (Limited Flame Spread –Index 1) that can be worn over Thermal Protective (EN11612)Garments without compromising thermal protection as a standard chemical suit would.

Key Features:

Pyrolon base fabric with PVC chemical barrier film laminate for combined FR and chemical protection properties
Stitched / taped seams for full seal
Coverall with 3 piece hood, inset sleeves, 2 piece diamond crotch gusset, elasticated hood, waist,cuffs and ankles.
Double zip / storm flap front fastening

ChemMAX® 4 Plus

ChemMax 4 Plus works with Permasure® – a free to use smart-phone app that calculates safe –wear times based on permeation rate and chemical toxicity. Find out more here

ChemMAX® 4 Plus is a unique barrier film that provides protection against some of the more difficult chemicals that most chemical suits simply cannot handle – such as Diethylamine, chlorobenzine and Bromine. Lakeland standard chemical suit design and very high barrier chemical protection.

Key Features:

Extruded fabric construction. Results in smoother and more consistent fabric than bonded or glued competitors.
Superior softness and flexibility and more consistent chemical barrier (no ‘pinching’ or thinner bond points as seen in competitor fabrics).
European manufactured fabric. Tested against a full range of chemical warfare agents for anti-terror and civil defence operations.
Very soft and flexible materials for enhanced comfort.
Cushioned double-layer knee pads for increased comfort and safety.
Improved Super-B style coverall: superior fit, wearability and durability.
Three-piece hood, inset sleeves and diamond crotch gusset results in best fitting garment on the market.
New design three-piece hood with tapered centre piece for superior face and respirator mask fit.
New higher neck and zip flaps for improved face/neck protection.
Double zip & storm flap front fastening for safe and secure protection

ChemMAX® 3

ChemMax 3 works with Permasure® – a free to use smart-phone app that calculates safe –wear times based on permeation rate and chemical toxicity. Find out more here

ChemMAX® is Lakeland comprehensive range of coveralls for Type 3 & 4 protection against hazardous chemicals. ChemMAX® 3 a UK manufactured multi-layer barrier film to provide protection against a wide range of hazardous chemicals. In addition co-extrusion technology means a smooth and flexible fabric that does not suffer from the crushing and pitting suffered by adhesive of heat laminated barrier fabrics – so thickness and permeation is uniform throughout the fabric surface.

Key Features:

Extruded fabric construction. Results in smoother and more consistent fabric than bonded or glued competitors.
Superior softness and flexibility and more consistent chemical barrier (no ‘pinching’ or thinner bond points as seen in competitor fabrics).
European manufactured fabric, tested against a full range of chemical warfare agents for anti-terror and civil defence operations.•Very low noise level. Safer and improved comfort.
Cushioned double-layer knee pads for increased comfort and safety.
Improved Super-B style coverall: superior fit, wearability and durability.
Three-piece hood, inset sleeves and diamond crotch gusset results in best fitting garment on the market.
New design three-piece hood with tapered centre piece for superior face and respirator mask fit.
New higher neck and zip flaps for improved face/neck protection.
Double zip & storm flap front fastening for safe and secure protection

ChemMAX® 2

At Lakeland we believe in more choice… choice that allows more targeted protection, enabling you to achieve the optimum combination of protection, comfort, and durability.

Most Type 3 & 4 chemical suit ranges feature “The Yellow One” (the entry level option) and “The Grey One” (the higher barrier option). ChemMax 2 is the alternative “White One”. It fits between the yellow and grey options in price terms, and yet benefits from superb features: –

The white colour means it reflects heat energy more effectively, keeping the wearer cooler and more comfortable
Long-trusted Saranex 23P barrier film gives a wide-ranging barrier, often comparable to that of more expensive options, including the highest permeation resistance EN test class against challenging chemical hazards such as Hydrogen Flouride, Chlorine, and Phenol.
A bi-component substrate, resulting in a fabric that is soft and flexible, so remarkably comfortable to wear.
Despite its softness, it is remarkably tough and durable. In fact, in all six strength tests required by certification to the Type 3 and 4 standard, ChemMax 2 achieves as good or better results than every alternative in its class… even the more expensive options!

And like all ChemMax CE certified chemical suits, the standard coverall includes features such as Lakeland’s double zip and storm flap front fastening, cushioned knee-pads, and the Super-B styling… a unique, superior design that results in better fit, greater freedom of movement, and a superior wearer experience.

ChemMax 2 is the true alternative Type 3 & 4 chemical suit. Tough and durable, soft and flexible, and providing effective protection against a wide range of chemicals.

ChemMAX® 1

ChemMAX® 1 is the entry level lightweight coverall featuring a HDPE film laminated to a PE substrate. Effective protection against range of commonly used chemicals combined with taped seams, double zip & storm flap and lakeland’s unique Super-B style.

Key Features:

Very lightweight, soft and flexible fabric.
Low noise level – improved comfort and safety.
Very cost effective Type 3 & 4 chemical protection.
Infectious Agent Barrier – passes at highest classes in all four EN 14126 bio-hazard tests (version used extensively by UK Government health workers in 2015 West African Ebola Crisis).
Cushioned double-layer knee pads for increased comfort and safety.
Improved Super-B style coverall: superior fit, wearability and durability.
Three-piece hood, inset sleeves and diamond crotch gusset results in best fitting garment on the market.
New design three-piece hood with tapered centre piece for superior face and respirator mask fit.
New higher neck and zip flaps for improved face/neck protection.
Double zip & storm flap front fastening for safe and secure protection

TomteX®

TomteX® is an extremely lightweight and flexible Type 3 & 4 chemical protective coverall. The co-extruded lightweight high-density polyethylene barrier film provides a soft and flexible fabric, combined with stitched and taped seams results in an excellent entry-level chemical suit.

Key Features:

HDPE film co-extruded with spunbond PP.•Lightweight Type 3/4 coverall designed for agricultural and industrial spray cleaning applications.
Very soft, flexible and lightweight fabric for superior comfort.
Very low noise level for increased comfort.
Pale green colour – ideal for public operations.
Improved Super-B style coverall: superior fit, wearability and durability.
Three-piece hood, inset sleeves and diamond crotch gusset results in best fitting garment on the market.
New design three-piece hood with tapered centre piece for superior face and respirator mask fit.
New higher neck and zip flaps for improved face/neck protection.
Double zip & storm flap front fastening for safe and secure protection

Push-Lock® Glove Connection System

Lakeland’s Push-Lock® glove connection system provides a simple, quick and secure method of ensuring a good seal at the wrist between chemical suit and glove.

The current traditional method of taping up gloves with duct or adhesive tape is expensive, awkward, uncertain and untested.

The Push-Lock® system is:

Tested and approved to Type 3 jet test
Easy and quick to fit by the user
Comfortable – sits loosely on the wrist
Cost effective and cost-controlled

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