HAZMAT SUITS

A hazmat suit is a piece of personal protective equipment that consists of an impermeable whole-body garment worn as protection against hazardous materials. Such suits are often combined with self-contained breathing apparatus to ensure a supply of breathable air.

Hazmat suits are used by  firefighters  ,paramedics  researchers, personnel responding to toxic spills, specialists cleaning up contaminated facilities, and workers in toxic environments.

Hazmat suits are barrier formed of plastic, fabric and rubber, along with an independent source of oxygen. They protect workers by separating them from their hazardous environment. Simpler suits can be slipped on

  to protect against harmful liquids, but more advanced suits can become completely airtight to defend against airborne contaminants and toxic chemicals. This versatility has meant that hazmat suits can be used by the military, in industry and by healthcare workers.

The term ’hazmat suit’ covers a wide spectrum of protective clothing. Anything capable of blocking hazardous materials may be labelled as a hazmat suit. However, a brewer working with a liquid disinfectant would be dressed quite differently to a scientist handling toxic gases. So to ensure the appropriate amount of precaution is taken, hazmat suits are arranged into four different types.

Type A suits are fully concealed from the outside and equipped with a self-contained breathing apparatus. By ably defending against biological and chemical hazards, these are the go-to choice when working in highly dangerous atmospheres. Type B suits are not airtight but retain breathing equipment. These can be used when handling gases that aren’t harmful to the skin. Type C suits are often worn when working with general biohazards, and a simple respirator is worn. Finally, Type D suits would be worn by our brewer, and could simply include a protective apron, boots, glasses and long gloves.

HAZMAT   SUITS