The only difference between Level A and Level B protection is the type of protective suit. The Level B protection suit provides liquid splash protection but no protection against vapors. Level B provides the same respiratory protection as Level A but less skin or outer body protection.

7 Most Important Factors for Selecting PPE

• Climate. One of the first things you need to consider when selecting the right PPE is the climate that people will be working in.
• Threat Level.
• Balancing Comfort & Safety.
• Presence of Vehicles & Forklifts.
• Sizing & Proper Fit.
• Industry.
• Cost of PPE.

The different types of PPE include face shields, gloves, goggles and glasses, gowns, head covers, masks, respirators, and shoe covers. Face shields, gloves, goggles and glasses, gowns, head covers, and shoe covers protect against the transmission of germs through contact and droplet routes.

Levels of PPE

• Level A protection should be worn when the highest level of respiratory, skin, eye and mucous membrane protection is needed.
• Level B protection should be selected when the highest level of respiratory protection is needed, but a lesser level of skin and eye protection is needed.

Risk level 4: Very flammable gases or very volatile flammable liquids. Shut off flow and keep cooling water streams on exposed tanks or containers. Risk level 3: Materials that can be ignited under almost all normal temperature conditions.

The cost of a full protective suit, according to OCHA, is US$61.48; the cost of proper training and observation by gowning experts would add more. Add to that practice runs and Contamination Event Recovery Plans (CERPs) and the expenses mount.

Tyvek (R) may be categorized as essentially non-toxic. The nature of the product make either ingestion or inhalation highly improbable. Normally, converting presents no dust hazard from Tyvek (R) because it is composed of continuous fiber.

WARNINGS: 1) Tyvek® is not flame-resistant and should not be used around heat, flame, sparks or in potentially flammable or explosive environments.

When stored the suit should be unfolded and inspected once a year (see chapter 9). If storing the suit on vehicles or containers, abrasion through permanent friction with the contact surface has to be avoided.

All NFPA Level A suits should be tested according to ASTM F 1052, Standard Test Method for Pressure Testing Vapor Protective Ensembles, 29CFR1910. 120, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) and EN 464, Determination of Leaktightness of Gas-tight Suits.

2.3 “Gas tight” means, for the purpose of this test method, the limited flow of a gas under pressure from the inside of a TECP suit to atmosphere at a prescribed pressure and time interval. The pressure is lowered to the test pressure and monitored for three minutes.

Level A Hazmat suits require a gas-tight suit, positive-pressure SCBA, chemical-resistant inner and outer gloves, and chemical-resistant boots with steel toe and midsole. It provides protection against hazardous chemical splashes but does not provide protection against vapour or gases.

Because NFPA standards are on a five-year revision cycle, the latest update to NFPA 1851 was issued on August 5, 2019, with an effective date of August 25, 2019.

Firefighter helmets have a 10-year service life from the manufacturing date. The standard requires that any element (helmet, hood, gloves, boots, turnout coat, and trousers) of the PPE ensemble be removed from service after ten years from the manufacture date.”

Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting. NFPA 1971 protects fire fighting personnel by establishing minimum levels of protection from thermal, physical, environmental, and bloodborne pathogen hazards encountered during structural and proximity fire fighting operations.

The standard requires that any element (helmet, hood, gloves, boots, turnout coat, and trousers) of the PPE ensemble be removed from service after ten years from the date of manufacture. This requirement has been in effect for several years.

The rear of the helmet, also known as the duckbill or beavertail was elongated and its purpose was to keep water and hot embers from running down the wearers back. Firefighters were known to put the helmets on backwards to use the duckbill to shield their faces from the heat of the fire.

Fire helmets typically run in the range of $300 a piece, but prices can vary due to style. Fire helmet: $300. To complete the firefighter’s personal gear, John will need an air pack, more commonly referred to in the fire service as Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, or SCBA.

White helmets are for firefighters (with a red stripe for senior firefighters). Lieutenants have yellow helmets; captains have yellow with a red stripe, deputy group officers and above have red helmets while paid staff have a blue stripe on their helmet.