What are the 6 types of chemical protective suits?

And how long can chemical protective suits be worn?

When seconds decide between safety and life-threatening danger, reliable protection is essential – especially when emergency personnel/first responders come into direct contact with hazardous chemicals, toxic gases, or biological agents. . 

Whether during decontamination, hazardous material detection, leakages, or evacuations – the chemical protective suit (CPS) is one of the most important components of personal protective equipment.

But what types of protective suits are there – and how do they differ? More and more professionals in authorities and organizations with safety responsibilities (known as BOS in Germany), special forces, and industrial sectors are asking this question.

Especially in unclear situations, as frequently occur in CBRN operations (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear substances), choosing the wrong protective suit can have fatal consequences. Different threat scenarios require different protection levels – from particle-tight disposable suits to gas-tight high-end suits (isolating from the environment) with integrated breathing air supply. Just as important as the level of protection is the question of maximum permissible wearing time: physical strain, heat buildup, and restricted mobility can quickly endanger the wearer during operations.

This article explains which 6 CPS types according to EN standards exist, how they differ, what to consider when selecting them – and why professional advice from BartelsRieger can not only save time but, in serious cases, even save lives. 

6 types of chemical protective suits 

European Standard EN 943 and related standards classify chemical protective suits into six types:

• Type 1: Gas-tight protective suit
  Protection: Gases, vapors, liquids
  Features: Completely gas-tight, independent of ambient air
  Use: CBRN operations, authorities and organizations with safety tasks (BOS), such as fire brigades

• Type 2: Non-gas-tight suit with positive internal pressure
  Protection: Liquids, spray, and dust (gases, vapors)
  Features: Overpressure keeps contaminants away
  Use: Industrial sectors 

•  Type 3: Liquid-tight protective suit
  Protection: Liquid chemicals
  Features: Liquid-tight connections between parts of the clothing
  Use: Decontamination, chemical industry

•  Type 4: Spray-tight protective suit
  Protection: Liquid aerosols (spray mist)
  Features: Spray-tight connections between different parts of the clothing
  Use: Agricultural industry, cleaning work 

• Type 5: Particle-tight protective suit
  Protection: Solid particles
  Features: Against airborne particles of solid chemicals
  Use: Asbestos removal

•  Typ 6: Limited spray-tight protective suit
  Protection: For applications with possible exposure to liquid mist, aerosols, or splashes; does not provide complete protection against liquids
  Features: Limited duration and reduced protection level
  Use: Maintenance work, cleaning services, fire brigades 

Wear time / Duration of use – how long can CPS be worn? 

Users of CPS often report heavy sweating or an unbearable feeling of heat while wearing the suits. There are no clearly defined regulations limiting the duration of use. The German DGUV Rule 112-189 (“Use of protective clothing”) provides a limit of 30 minutes of use for "heavy" protective suits – referring to Types 1 and 2. For Types 3 through 6, there is only a limit when a respiratory protection device is worn simultaneously. These are found in the German DGUV Rule 112-190 (“Use of respiratory protective devices”), in Table 21.

The duration limit for chemical protective suits (CPS) primarily depends on the suit type, physical strain, thermal load (including environmental stress), and the type of protection system (e.g., gas-tight).

Break periods after use and the number of uses per work shift are specified in the German DGUV Rule 112-190 Table 21 for Type 1 and Types 3–6 suits. Otherwise, they are determined by the type of respiratory protection used.

Overview based on practical experience and guideline values for wear/use duration by CPS type:

* Depending on the respiratory protection used, weight of the device (CPS + respiratory device), breathing air ventilation in the CPS, as well as heat stress-reducing features like full-body ventilation with air distribution directed to the body.

Wear time can be adjusted depending on the workload (breathing minute volume). Adjustment factors can be found in the German DGUV Rule 112-190 Table 22, along with further adjustment criteria: environmental conditions or the combination with other personal protective equipment. 

When combining respiratory protection devices with other PPE such as CPS, a shortening of the wear time must be checked as part of the risk assessment. Additional occupational health precautions may also be required.  

Practical tip: To avoid health risks due to overload during wearing a CPS, organizations (such as fire brigades, the German armed forces, etc.) employ rotation systems and checklists for heat exposure. 

Ensure sufficient fluid intake after use, as the heat buildup and resulting fluid loss increase the risk of dehydration for the wearer of the CPS. For extended operations and/or unfavorable environmental conditions, assess whether earlier breaks for fluid intake are necessary. This can vary from person to person.

It is advisable to create work- and workplace-related risk assessments with corresponding operating instructions. The German DGUV Rule 112-190 provides guidance on this in Section 4 and offers templates in the appendix.

BartelsRieger: Your partner for optimal chemical protection

BartelsRieger Atemschutztechnik GmbH offers a comprehensive range of chemical protective suits, including:

• CASE ONE® A/B: Gas-tight suits for the highest safety requirements (Type 1) 
• VenPipe®: For work in confined spaces and shafts (Type 3))
• VenION®: Lightweight CPS with high mobility (Type 3) 
• SUBITUS®: Ready for use quickly in emergency situations (Type 4)

In addition to high-quality products, BartelsRieger also offers comprehensive services: 

• Consulting and training
• Maintenance and repair
• Cleaning and disinfection 
• Rental and leasing 

Get in touch now and arrange a consultation appointment.

Secure the appropriate protective equipment for your needs. Contact the experts at BartelsRieger for tailored advice.