According to DIN EN 13034, chemical resistant protective clothing is classified as Type 6 “Limited Protective Clothing” against liquid chemicals.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of what this means:
Core Definition
DIN EN 13034 specifies the minimum requirements for gas-tight (Type 1) and non-gas-tight protective suits (Types 3 & 4) that protect against low-pressure sprays, liquid aerosols, and light splashes of liquid chemicals. It is part of a family of European standards (EN 14325, EN ISO 6529, etc.) that define six “Types” of chemical protection (Types 1 through 6), with Type 1 being the highest (gas-tight) and Type 6 being the lightest level of liquid chemical protection.
Type 6 clothing is designed for situations where the user is not expected to be exposed to a full jet or heavy spray of chemicals, but rather to occasional, light splashes and aerosol exposure.
Key Requirements and Testing (According to DIN EN 13034)
To be certified to this standard, the garment must pass a series of rigorous tests:
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Material Performance:
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Penetration Resistance: The fabric is tested against at least six different benchmark chemicals (covering a range of properties like acidic, alkaline, solvent-based, etc.). The material must not allow any liquid penetration during a standardized test where it is exposed to a light spray mist.
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Degradation: The material’s physical strength (e.g., tensile strength) is measured before and after chemical exposure to ensure it does not degrade significantly.
liquid repellancy
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Whole Garment Performance (The “Practical Test”):
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This is the critical test for Type 6 certification. A test person wears the suit in a walk-in cabinet filled with a fine aerosol spray of sodium chloride solution.
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Inside the suit, sensitive sensors detect if any of the test liquid has penetrated.
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For certification, no penetration is allowed at all. A single detected leak means the garment fails the Type 6 classification.
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Design and Construction Requirements:
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Minimum Coverage: The standard defines the minimum areas of the body that must be covered (typically full-body coveralls with sleeves and legs).
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Strength of Seams: All seams must be strong enough to resist splitting under stress.
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Closure Integrity: Zippers, flaps, and other closures must be designed to minimize ingress.
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Compatibility: It must be compatible with other PPE (e.g., specific gloves, boots, or respirators as declared by the manufacturer).
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What Type 6 Clothing is NOT Designed For
It’s crucial to understand its limitations:
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NOT for immersion or heavy splashes.
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NOT for protection against gases, vapors, or solid particles (that would require Types 1-5, or particle filters).
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NOT for use in high-pressure chemical environments.
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NOT for prolonged or intensive exposure.
Typical Applications (Use Cases)
Type 6 clothing is common in industries where the risk is one of incidental contact:
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Agriculture: Handling and diluting pesticides, herbicides.
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Laboratories: Working with liquid reagents and samples.
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Automotive & Industry: Handling oils, coolants, degreasers, and lubricants.
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Cleaning & Maintenance: Using chemical cleaners and disinfectants.
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Pharmaceutical and Chemical Production: Secondary containment areas, quality control sampling.
Labeling and Marking
A certified garment will have a permanent label showing:
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The EN 13034 standard number.
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The Type classification (e.g., Type 6).
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The manufacturer’s name.
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Size and relevant use restrictions.
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A pictogram (typically a flask with drops, often accompanied by the number “6”).
Summary
In essence, DIN EN 13034 Type 6 protective clothing is your “light splash protection.” It acts as a reliable barrier against brief contact with liquid chemicals in aerosol or light spray form. It is a vital part of the risk control hierarchy, used when a risk assessment determines that higher levels of protection (Types 1-5) are not required, but skin must still be protected from incidental chemical exposure.
