NFPA 1992

Abstract

This standard shall specify minimum requirements for the design, performance, testing, documentation, and certification for liquid splash–protective ensembles, ensemble elements, and protective clothing used by emergency response personnel during hazardous materials incidents. This standard shall also specify additional optional criteria for liquid splash–protective ensembles only for escape protection from chemical flash fires encountered during hazardous materials incidents. This standard shall specify requirements for new liquid splash–protective ensembles, new ensemble elements, and new protective clothing. Ensemble elements shall include garments, gloves, footwear, and hoods. This standard alone shall not specify requirements for protective ensembles or clothing for hazardous materials emergencies where the hazardous material is present as a gas or a vapor-producing liquid at vapor concentrations known to be toxic to the skin. This standard alone shall not specify requirements for protection from chemical or biological terrorism agents or from chemical or biological terrorism incidents. Requirements for such protection shall be provided by protective ensembles that are certified as compliant with NFPA 1994 or ensembles that are certified as compliant with NFPA 1991. This standard alone shall not specify requirements for protective clothing for any fire-fighting applications. This standard alone shall not specify requirements for protection from ionizing radiation; biological, liquefied gas, or cryogenic liquid hazards; or explosive atmospheres caused by vapors, dust, or particulates. This standard shall not specify requirements for the respiratory protection that is necessary for proper protection with the protective ensemble. This standard shall not specify requirements for any accessories that could be attached to the product but are not necessary for the product to meet the requirements of this standard. Certification of compliant liquid splash–protective ensembles, ensemble elements, and protective clothing to the requirements of this standard shall not preclude certification to additional appropriate standards where the ensemble, ensemble elements, or protective clothing meet all the applicable requirements of each standard. This standard shall not be construed as addressing all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use for the designing, manufacturing, testing, or certifying of product to meet the requirements of this standard. It shall be the responsibility of the persons and organizations that use this standard to establish safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use 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 for emergency response personnel against adverse liquid-splash environments during hazardous materials emergency incidents. The purpose of this standard shall also be to establish a minimum level of limited chemical flash fire protection, for escape only in the event of a chemical flash fire, as an option for compliant liquid splash–protective ensembles, ensemble elements, and protective clothing.  The purpose of this standard shall be to provide emergency response organizations the flexibility to specify the option in 1.2.1.1 in their purchase specifications according to the anticipated exposure and expected needs of the emergency response organization. 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 is not intended to be utilized as a detailed manufacturing or purchase specification, but shall be permitted to be referenced in purchase specifications as minimum requirements.