Protective Suits
Sperian offers a comprehensive range of protective clothing for virtually all industries and applications.
Disposable Clothing:
Our extensive range of ventilated and non-ventilated suits and accessories provides full-body protection. A truly global solution.
Reusable Technical Workwear:
Our extensive range of coveralls, jackets, trousers, shirts, and more is available in various materials to provide protection, durability, and comfort in many hazardous work environments.
Example: Chemical Protective Suit
A chemical protective suit (CPS) is personal protective equipment that completely isolates the wearer from their environment, allowing them to work in radiologically, chemically, or bacteriologically contaminated areas. It is used in hazardous materials incidents. The CPS wearer carries a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) on their back for breathing air.
Due to the high physical and psychological strain, the wearer’s time in the CPS is limited to 20 to a maximum of 25 minutes. This is in addition to the time required for decontamination. Another limiting factor is the suit’s limited resistance to various chemicals.
The chemical protective suit (CSA) is not resistant to all substances. Before each use, the manufacturer’s resistance list must be checked against the hazardous substance present. Heat radiation and icing due to cold – which can occur, for example, when gases are released – must also be strictly avoided. Sharp edges can damage the suit material and cause contamination. To protect against mechanical damage, an additional pair of protective gloves can be worn over the gloves integrated into the CSA, although this severely restricts dexterity.
In Germany, according to Fire Service Regulation 500, the CSA is classified as body protection category 3 and is divided into two types:
Type 1a
With internally supplied breathing air, for example via a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
Type 1b
With externally supplied breathing air. This is usually a self-contained breathing apparatus, but this type also includes chemical protective suits designed specifically for laboratory use, which supply breathing air via hoses.
It is important to note that Type 1a must not be used with rebreathers, as the heat exchange of the device can no longer be guaranteed. With Type 1b, if the suit becomes contaminated, the entire breathing apparatus is contaminated; furthermore, it is generally impossible to determine with certainty whether the breathing hoses are resistant to the encountered chemicals. However, this type offers the advantage that in cases of persistent or unknown contamination, the wearer can be supplied with fresh breathing air without compromising personal protective equipment.
Type 1a is very common among fire departments, while Type 1b is found, for example, in the standard equipment of CBRN reconnaissance vehicles, specialized hazardous materials units, and the German Armed Forces.
Specifically designed for use by fire departments, there are the CSF and CMF models, both of which belong to Type 1a.
CSA with a visor for firefighters: A separate self-contained breathing apparatus with a mask is worn underneath the CSA.
CSA with an integrated mask for firefighters: The mask integrated into the CSA is connected directly to an internal self-contained breathing apparatus. (Wikipedia)