Here’s a detailed breakdown of EN 14605, including what it covers, what products it applies to, and how it’s tested:
🔹 Introduction to EN 14605
- Full Title: EN 14605 – Protective clothing against liquid chemicals – Performance requirements for clothing with liquid-tight (Type 3) or spray-tight (Type 4) connections
- Scope: This standard defines the performance requirements for chemical protective clothing that provides full-body protection against liquid chemicals in liquid-tight or spray-tight forms.
It applies to both:
- Type 3: Liquid-tight clothing (pressurized liquid spray)
- Type 4: Spray-tight clothing (non-pressurized spray or fine mist)
🔹 Suitable For
EN 14605 applies to protective garments used in hazardous chemical environments, such as:
- Chemical processing
- Industrial cleaning
- Agriculture (pesticide spraying)
- Emergency response (e.g., chemical spills)
- Waste management and sewer work
Garments include:
- Full-body suits
- One-piece coveralls with chemical-resistant joints and seams
- Suits with tight or sealed interfaces to gloves, boots, hoods
⚠️ This standard does not cover protection against gaseous chemicals or particulates (which are addressed by EN 943 or EN 13982, respectively).
🔹 Types of Protection under EN 14605
Type | Protection Level | Use Case |
---|---|---|
Type 3 | Liquid-tight (jet-tight) | Direct exposure to pressurized chemical jets |
Type 4 | Spray-tight | Exposure to chemical sprays, mists, and splashes |
These garments may include connections to gloves, boots, and respiratory protection and are tested as ensembles, not just individual fabric panels.
🔹 Labeling Example
A suit might be marked as:
EN 14605:2005+A1:2009 Type 3-B
- Type 3: Liquid-tight
- B: Indicates protection against biological hazards (optional if tested)
🔹 Testing Methods
Property | Test Standard | Purpose |
---|---|---|
Liquid-tight performance (Type 3) | EN ISO 17491-3 | Garment is sprayed with liquid under pressure to assess leakage |
Spray-tight performance (Type 4) | EN ISO 17491-4, Method B | Garment exposed to a fine spray mist to test spray resistance |
Resistance of seams | EN ISO 13935-2 | Seam strength under stress |
Penetration/repellency of liquids | EN ISO 6530 | Measures how well fabric repels or absorbs liquid chemicals |
Resistance to permeation | EN ISO 6529 | Measures time taken for chemicals to penetrate the material |
Mechanical properties | EN 530, ISO 7854, etc. | Abrasion resistance, flex cracking, tear strength, puncture resistance |
Compatibility with accessories | Visual + functional tests | Ensures sealed connections with gloves, boots, respirators |
🧪 For Type 3, no leakage is allowed during the pressurized liquid spray test.
💧 For Type 4, limited inward leakage is acceptable during the mist spray test.
🔹 Additional Notes
- The whole garment, including seams, closures, and interfaces, must be tested.
- All chemical protection suits under EN 14605 must also meet general clothing standards like EN 13688.