Advanced Chemical Protection for Industry, Emergency Response and Law Enforcement. ChemMAX® 3 is soft, flexible and tough with an extensive chemical barrier - use with Permasure® to instantly calculate Safe-Use Times
ChemMAX® is Lakeland's comprehensive range of coveralls for Type 3 & 4 protection against hazardous chemicals.
ChemMAX® 3 fabric features a UK-manufactured multi-layer barrier construction to provide protection against a wide range of hazardous chemicals. Co-extruded fabric technology means a smooth and flexible fabric that is free from the crushing and pitting suffered by adhesive or heat laminated barrier fabrics – so thickness, permeation and protection is uniform throughout the fabric surface.
Download Lakeland’s Guide to the Selection of Chemical Protective Clothing to assist in improved selection of the best suit for the job and for permeation and physical properties comparisons.
Supported by PermaSURE® :
Free, mobile-friendly online tool
Models permeation rates and provides safe-use times by incorporating environmental, temperature and chemical exposure factors.
State-of-the-art technology developed initially by leading Polymer chemists for defense forces to quickly determine which suits are needed for various chemical warfare agents and dual use chemicals.
Based on the known molecular characteristics and behavior of 4000+ chemicals interacting with ChemMax® 3.
ChemMax® 3 Brand Features
Multi-layer barrier film with smooth, flexible and even finish.
Permeation tested against a wide range of high hazard chemicals
Double zip / storm flap for secure protection to front fastening
Double layer cushioned knee-pads for comfort and security
All Lakeland chemical suits are available in a variety of styles including coveralls with attached socks, overboots and various partial body accessories
level a suit hazmat
Key Features
Multi-layer barrier film with smooth, flexible and even finish.
Permeation tested against a wide range of high hazard chemicals
Double zip / storm flap for secure protection to front fastening
Double layer cushioned knee-pads for comfort and security
All chemical suits are available in a special “plus” design featuring attached boots with over-flaps and double elasticated cuffs
Specifications
Seam Type: Stitched and taped
Materials: Multi-layer composite film including a high barrier film. 150 gsm.
Packaging: Individually vacuum packed
Testing: Permeation tested against a wide range of chemicals
Recommended Industries / Use
Chemical Handling
Petrochemical and Refining applications
Oil-spill clean-ups
Higher hazard chemical protection
Contaminated land clearing
PPE chemical suit for 98% Sulphuric Acid
Certifications / Regulations
EN 14605 (Type 3 & 4)
EN 13982 (Type 5)
EN 13034 (Type 6)
EN 1149-5 (Anti-static)
EN 14126 (Bio hazard / infectious agents)
EN 1073 (radiation contaminated dusts)
Summary
Product
ChemMAX 3
Description
Wide ranging chemical barrier fabric. Soft and flexible – use with the unique “Permasure” App for hand-held devices – real world safe-use duration data for over 1500 chemicals
Fabric & weight
Multi-layer composite film including a high barrier film. 165 gsm
Style *(see overleaf)
CT3S428
Seam Type
Stitched and PE taped
Colour
Grey
CE Certification
EN Standard*
Description
Result
EN 340: 2002
Protective Clothing : general Requirements
Pass
EN 13034: 2005
Type 6: Protection against light spray of liquids
Pass
EN 13982: 2004
Type 5: protection against hazardous dry particles
Pass
EN 14605: 2004
Type 3 & 4: Protection against splashes and sprays of liquid chemicals
Pass
EN 1073: 2002
Protection against dust particles that may be contaminated with radiation
Pass
EN14126: 2003
Protection against infectious agents
Pass
EN 1149-5: 2008
Anti-static garment requirements: (ATEX regulations exclude certification for PPE: However, both ATEX and BGR 132 / TBRS2153 reference certification to EN 1149 as a suitable measure for protective clothing for explosive atmospheres.)
2.85 x 10⁶
Pass
* All Lakeland garments are certified to the latest versions of standards where possible
The chemical protection suit provides optimal protection against a multitude of substances, it offers comprehensive protection either for emergencies or for routine work such as: Maintenance, Repairs and tank cleaning.
Please note, the Breathing apparatus and Boots are excluded from the set.
2. Gas Protection Suit
Used with breathing apparatus and masks in emergencies involving exposure to hazardous gases and chemicals.
Please note, the Breathing apparatus and Boots are excluded from the set.
EN Clothing Types Compared to OSHA Protection Levels
EN standards define 5 “Types” of application-based chemical protective clothing. But what do they mean and how do they differ from North American OSHA protection levels?
For a global business looking to standardize PPE in every regional base the need to meet multiple local standards and conventions is a challenge. When managing hazardous chemicals in the workplace an understanding of the differences between regions can be useful. This blog aims to explain the chemical protective clothing Types defined by EN standards, the OSHA Protection Level guidance used in North America, and to show where they are different or similar.
EN Standards for Types of Protective Clothing
The system launched in the European Economic Community in 1995 aimed to improve the levels of protection against workplace hazards by introducing a legal requirement that all PPE should meet minimum performance requirements. This was achieved through the publication of standards for PPE performance, with compulsory compliance being independently audited and approved by appointed “Notified Bodies”, and indicated on PPE labels by the now well-known CE mark.
The CE mark on PPE is an indication it is certified to EN standards. Yet there are many fake products in the market place – especially outside Europe in regions where CE is increasingly used. Often such product looks certified, but isn’t. How do you know? Our blog here looks at how to identify properly CE marked PPE.
For chemical protective clothing several CE standards define performance requirements according to the hazard; it’s state: liquid, dust, or gas, and in the case of liquids: light aerosol, liquid, or jet sprays. These define 5 “Types” of clothing according to level and type of protection provided.
A Notified Body is an organization appointed by an EU member government to audit specific types of PPE according to relevant standards and to issue a CE certificate based on that audit.
For Safety Managers it is useful to know that certification and all required testing is conducted independently of the manufacturer.
Meanwhile in North America no such mandatory or optional standards exist for chemical protective clothing. However, OSHA, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, the government agency charged with “ensuring safe and healthful conditions for workers” has issued four “Protection Levels” as guidance for choosing PPE for protection against hazardous materials in the workplace.
The PPE or the Hazard? An Important Difference
A key difference between the approaches of Europe and America is that whilst European chemical suit standards focus product – in this case clothing that protects the skin of the wearer, with respiratory and ingestion hazards dealt with by other standards, the protection levels in America address whole body protection including, and treating as primary, protection against respiratory hazards. Thus, the OSHA levels address all the required PPE, considering respiratory protection as paramount, whilst the EN standards have different standards for different PPE.
(This distinction between product and hazard is also seen in other protection types. For example, the EN standard for fire fighters clothing, EN 469, defines requirements only for clothing, with other fire-fighters PPE being addressed by separate standards. In North America however, the equivalent NFPA 1971 standard considers requirements not only for clothing but also for helmets, gloves, boots and so on. It’s title refers to “…protective ensembles…” for fire-fighters rather than “fire-fighters’ clothing”.
This means direct comparison of the EN standards and OSHA protection levels is difficult; there are no direct equivalents. However, below is an analysis of both and a summary of how they compare.
EN Standards for Chemical Resistant Protective Clothing
In EN standards all PPE is classified as follows: –
Category I
Products designed to protect against minimal hazards
Category II
Intermediate products that are neither category I nor III
Category III
Products designed to protect against hazards that may cause serious injury or are a threat to life
Note: All clothing for protection against hazardous chemicals is classed as Category III. Lightweight, breathable, single layer and low cost spunbonded polypropylene coveralls are NOT considered protective clothing as they offer little in the way of protection other than against dirt. Such garments are classed as Category I PPE.
The key standards for chemical protective clothing are: –