F3032 (version 25)
1.1 This specification establishes minimum design, performance, labeling, and documentation criteria for protective ensembles, protective garments, protective gloves, protective footwear, and protective hoods for use at facilities with radioactive material contamination and certain radioactive gaseous hazards.
1.1.1 The intended purpose for protective clothing meeting this specification is to offer physical protection to personnel by preventing radioactive material contamination of the individual wearer’s skin. While generally not the intent, the attenuation of particulate radiation (for example, alpha and beta particles) is an additional protective benefit (see Note 1).
Note 1: The protective clothing addressed in this specification is not intended to attenuate ionizing photon radiation (gamma rays or X-rays) or neutron radiation. Depending upon the surface density of the protective clothing materials (in units of mg/cm2), particulate radiation will be reduced in energy or shielded entirely. Nearly all alpha particles will be entirely shielded by even the least dense garments. Beta particles will be either entirely or partially shielded as dependent upon the beta particle energy and distance from the source of radiation.
1.1.2 Protective clothing addressed in this specification provides dermal protection against loose radioactive material contamination and attenuation of particulate radiation.
1.1.3 This specification also provides non-mandatory guidance in Appendix X1 for the selection of garments meeting this specification when used by workers and other personnel encountering radiological contamination hazards (also see 1.5).
1.2 In this specification, an ensemble is addressed that consists of garments, gloves, and footwear that fully cover the wearer’s torso, arms, legs, hands, and feet. If necessary, the head is also covered by a separate hood or a hood that is attached to the garment. Minimum design criteria are applied for the configuration of the ensemble and the individual protective clothing items to provide this coverage of the wearer. Protective ensembles may incorporate respiratory protection and eye and face protection as part of the overall clothing ensemble. However, this document does not address the performance of respiratory equipment or any associated face or eye protection devices.
Note 2: Requirements for the approval of respirators are addressed by NIOSH in 42 CFR Part 84. Potentially applicable eye and face protection devices are addressed in ANSI/ISEA Z87.1.
1.3 Performance properties are specified for clothing physical integrity; resistance to penetration by particulate, liquid, and vapor contamination; strength; and comfort properties. Several properties are mandatory while some properties are optional. When optional tests are carried out, the results must be reported.
1.4 This specification further includes minimum requirements for reporting test information, product labeling, user instructions, and conformity assessment.
1.5 Since protective clothing can affect the wearer in different ways such as the increased likelihood for heat stress, decreased mobility, lowered visibility, impaired hearing, and loss of dexterity, guidance is offered in the form of a recommended selection approach where end user organizations can weigh the importance of different factors such as protection, durability, ergonomic design, and comfort. It is understood that the emphasis on criteria varies between users. Thus, this specification offers selection guidance to aid in conducting an organized analysis of factors deemed important by end users and managers responsible for the prescription of protective clothing involving products that provide varying levels of performance in each of the areas of evaluation.
1.5.1 This specification does not address all criteria that a wearer may consider important to select appropriate protective clothing. However, it is possible to consider additional criteria through the non-mandatory selection guidance within Appendix X1.
1.6 This specification does address protection of first responders to radiological or nuclear incidents. A specification for that application is NFPA 1990. However, this specification may be useful in conjunction with NFPA 1990.
1.7 This specification is not intended to serve as a detailed manufacturing or purchase specification, but can be referenced in procurement specifications as a basis for test and selection requirements.
1.8 The values stated in SI (System International) units or in other units shall be considered separately. The values stated in each system must be used independently of the other, without combining values in any way.
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.10 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.