4.1 As with other hazardous materials protective ensembles, air-fed protective ensembles include clothing and equipment items needed for dermal and respiratory protection, including protective suits, gloves, footwear, and eye/face protection. Unlike other protective ensembles, air-fed protective ensembles do not use separate respiratory protective devices such as self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or non-powered air-purifying respirators (APRs).
4.1.1 Those types of respirators normally have a tight-fitting face piece that provides inhalation hazard protection and dermal exposure protection to the face, eyes, nose, and mouth.
4.1.2 Air-fed protective ensembles are worn without the use of a separate respirator. The entire suit serves as the respiratory protective device and also provides dermal exposure protection. The wearer breathes supplied air or filtered air pumped into the protective suit.
4.2 Air-fed protective ensembles are used to protect workers in a number of applications.
4.2.1 These include, but are not limited to: chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing, remediation of hazardous materials sites, use against highly infectious biological agents in BioSafety Level 4 laboratories, and for protection of workers involved in nuclear and radiological facilities, where it is possible radioactive particles will be encountered.
4.3 The requirements of this specification have been partly based on the NFPA 1991 standard, which establishes criteria for vapor-protective ensembles used in hazardous materials emergencies. NFPA 1991 establishes requirements for a protective ensemble that encapsulates the wearer and the breathing apparatus.
4.3.1 In this specification, a breathing apparatus is not worn inside the suit, but instead breathing air is connected to the suit either via an external airline or respiratory protective equipment that is externally connected to the suit wall. Extensive criteria for the integrity of the overall ensemble are applied through design and performance requirements. This allows for different configurations of a protective ensemble that incorporates a hooded visor, protective gloves, protective footwear, and the respiratory protective equipment.
4.4 The qualification of the respiratory protective equipment is addressed by the applicable requirements for respirators established in 42 CFR Part 84. As such, the entire air-fed ensemble is subject to certification by NIOSH in addition to meeting the requirements in this specification.
4.5 This specification establishes classifications for the protective ensemble. The classifications include one that is determined by the configuration of the protective ensemble and one that concerns the use of the protective ensemble.
4.5.1 A protective ensemble can be classified as an “Airline Protective Ensemble” or a “PAPR-Based Air-Fed Protective Ensemble.” Under each of these classifications, protective ensembles can be further