NFPA 1999

Abstract

This standard shall specify the minimum design, performance, testing, documentation, and certification requirements for new single-use and new multiple-use emergency medical operations protective clothing, including garments, helmets, gloves, footwear, and face protection devices, used by emergency medical responders prior to arrival at medical care facilities, used by medical first receivers at medical care facilities during emergency medical operations, and used by health care workers providing medical and supportive care. This standard shall also specify additional minimum design, performance, testing, documentation, and certification as requirements for single-use and multiple-use emergency medical protective ensembles comprising the protective clothing items described in 1.1.1 for protection from airborne and liquid-borne pathogens. This standard shall not be interpreted as specifying requirements for protection from chemical, biological, radioactive, and nuclear (CBRN) terrorism agents, from radiological agents, from hazardous chemicals, from flammable or explosive atmospheres, or from thermal hazards. This standard shall also specify requirements for respiratory protective devices that are not already covered in 42 CFR 84, “Approval for Respiratory Protective Devices," that are intended for emergency medical operations by first responders, first receivers, and health care workers providing medical and supportive care. Certification of all emergency medical ensemble elements and protective clothing items, and medical care facility ensemble elements and protective clothing items, as compliant with the requirements of this standard, shall not preclude certification to additional appropriate standards where the ensemble elements or protective clothing items meet all applicable requirements of each standard. This standard shall not be construed as addressing all of the safety concerns associated with the use of compliant emergency medical operations protective clothing for the protection of their personnel. It shall be the responsibility of the persons and organizations that use this standard to conduct testing of protective clothing to establish safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to using this standard for any designing, manufacturing, and testing. This standard shall not be construed as addressing all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with the use of this standard by testing facilities. It shall be the responsibility of the persons and organizations that use this standard to conduct testing of protective clothing and ensembles to establish safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to using this standard for any designing, manufacturing, and testing. This standard shall not specify requirements for any accessories that could be attached to the certified product but are not necessary for the certified product to meet the requirements of this standard. Nothing herein shall restrict any jurisdiction or manufacturer from exceeding these minimum requirements. Purpose. The purpose of this standard shall be to establish a minimum level of protection from contact with blood and body fluid–borne pathogens for personnel performing patient care during emergency medical operations. The purpose of this standard shall also be to establish a minimum level of whole body protection for emergency services personnel and medical first receivers from airborne and liquid-borne pathogens. To achieve these purposes, this standard shall establish for emergency medical responders and medical first receivers the minimum requirements for upper and lower torso, head, hands, foot, and face protection devices to minimize skin and mucous membrane contact with body fluid-borne pathogens. Controlled laboratory tests used to determine compliance with the performance requirements of this standard shall not be deemed as establishing performance levels for all situations to which personnel can be exposed. This standard shall not be interpreted or used as a detailed manufacturing or purchase specification but shall be permitted to be referenced in purchase specifications as minimum requirements.