ISO 17723-1:2019

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 17723-1
First edition
2019-08
PPE ensembles for firefighters
undertaking hazardous materials
response activities —
Part 1:
Gas-tight, vapour-protective
ensembles for emergency response
teams ("type 1")
Équipement de protection personnelle pour pompiers entreprenant
des activités de réponse de produits dangereux —
Partie 1: Ensembles hermétiques au gaz et à la vapeur pour équipes
d'urgence («type 1»)
Reference number
ISO 17723-1:2019(E)
©
ISO 2019

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ISO 17723-1:2019(E)

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© ISO 2019
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Published in Switzerland
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ISO 17723-1:2019(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Ensemble requirements . 5
4.1 General requirements . 5
4.1.1 Minimum ensemble configuration . 5
4.1.2 Hood visor . 5
4.1.3 Respiratory protective device . 5
4.1.4 Designation of ensemble use . 6
4.1.5 Integration of ensemble . . 6
4.1.6 Attachment of lifeline and other equipment. 6
4.1.7 Optional requirements for integrity for escape from chemical flash fire . 6
4.2 Ensemble requirements pertaining to chemical protective suits . 6
4.2.1 Additional or other PPE . 6
4.2.2 Protective covers for exhaust valves . 6
4.2.3 Suit design . 7
4.2.4 Whole suit performance . 7
4.2.5 Practical performance test . 7
4.3 Ensemble requirements pertaining to gloves . 7
4.3.1 Outer gloves . 7
4.3.2 Removal and replacement of gloves . 7
4.4 Ensemble requirements pertaining to footwear . 7
4.4.1 Bootees . 7
4.4.2 Separate boots . 7
4.4.3 Footwear splash flap. 7
5 Requirements for suit materials . 7
5.1 General requirements . 7
5.1.1 Suit material layers . 7
5.1.2 Materials for testing of permeation resistance . 8
5.1.3 Materials for testing of physical properties . 8
5.2 Permeation resistance . 8
5.3 Suit material physical properties . 9
5.4 Suit material flame resistance . 9
5.4.1 Requirements . 9
5.4.2 Limited-use suits .10
5.4.3 Re-usable suits .10
6 Requirements for suit components and assemblies .10
6.1 Seams .10
6.1.1 Seam strength .10
6.1.2 Seam permeation resistance .10
6.2 Visors .10
6.2.1 Visor materials for testing .10
6.2.2 Visor physical performance.10
6.2.3 Distortion of vision .10
6.2.4 Visor permeation resistance .10
6.2.5 Chemical degradation of visor .11
6.3 Gloves .11
6.3.1 Attached gloves .11
6.3.2 Assembly strength between gloves and suit sleeve .11
6.3.3 Glove material permeation resistance .11
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ISO 17723-1:2019(E)

6.3.4 Glove material physical properties .11
6.4 Footwear .13
6.4.1 Requirements for ensembles incorporating bootees and separate boots .13
6.4.2 Requirements for ensembles using attached boots .13
6.4.3 Additional requirements .14
6.4.4 Resistance to flame .14
6.4.5 Permeation resistance .14
6.5 Closures .14
6.5.1 Closure physical performance .14
6.5.2 Closure system permeation resistance .15
7 Optional requirements for protection against chemical terrorism and biological
agents under non-military circumstances .15
7.1 Additional ensemble requirement .15
7.2 Additional ensemble material requirements .15
7.2.1 Chemical terrorism agent permeation resistance.15
7.2.2 Biological agent penetration resistance .15
8 Labelling .15
9 Instructions for use and information supplied by the manufacturer .16
Annex A (normative) Practical performance test .18
Annex B (informative) Guidelines for selection of personal protective equipment for
hazardous materials response .22
Annex C (informative) Adapted test cell for testing closures (zipper) .26
Annex D (normative) Distortion of vision test for visors .27
Annex E (normative) Cumulative chemical permeation test requirements for chemical
terrorism agents .28
Annex F (normative) Permeation preconditioning (flexing and abrasion) .29
Annex G (informative) Illustration of hierarchy of terms related to a chemical protective
ensemble .30
Bibliography .31
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ISO 17723-1:2019(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see www .iso
.org/iso/foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 94, Personal safety — Personal protective
clothing equipment, Subcommittee SC 14, Firefighter’s personal equipment.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/members .html.
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ISO 17723-1:2019(E)

Introduction
The purpose of this document is to provide minimum design and performance requirements for personal
protective equipment, excluding respiratory protective devices (RPD), designed for protection against
chemicals, including gases, vapours, liquids, and particulates during hazardous materials response
by the emergency response teams of the fire services. This specific document addresses the highest
form of protection for hazardous materials responses involving chemical gases, vapours, liquids, and
particulates. Annex B provides a recommendation for selection of personal protective equipment for
hazardous materials response.
Hazardous materials response involves significant potential dangers to the emergency responder.
Accordingly, a risk assessment is undertaken to determine if the personal protective equipment covered
by this standard is suitable for its intended use and the expected exposure. A risk assessment includes
what additional personal protective equipment is necessary.
Emergency responders need to be trained in the selection, use, care and maintenance of the personal
protective equipment covered by this document, including an understanding of its limitations.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 17723-1:2019(E)
PPE ensembles for firefighters undertaking hazardous
materials response activities —
Part 1:
Gas-tight, vapour-protective ensembles for emergency
response teams ("type 1")
1 Scope
This document establishes minimum design and performance requirements for personal protective
ensembles to be worn during hazardous materials responses involving chemical gas, vapour, liquid, and
particulate hazards. This document provides optional criteria to address protection during terrorism
involving chemical and biological agents. This document provides optional criteria to address the
ability of ensembles to retain their integrity during escape in the event of chemical flash fire. This
document does not establish minimum criteria for protection against radiological hazards, flammable,
or explosive atmospheres. This document does not pertain to clothing providing the high level of heat
and flame protection that is required for fighting fires. This document does not address respiratory
protection.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 4674-1, Rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics — Determination of tear resistance — Part 1: Constant rate
of tear methods
ISO 7854, Rubber- or plastics-coated fabrics — Determination of resistance to damage by flexing
ISO 10874:2009, Resilient, textile and laminate floor coverings — Classification
ISO 12947-1, Textiles — Determination of the abrasion resistance of fabrics by the Martindale method —
Part 1: Martindale abrasion testing apparatus
ISO 12947-2, Textiles — Determination of the abrasion resistance of fabrics by the Martindale method —
Part 2: Determination of specimen breakdown
ISO 13688, Protective clothing — General requirements
ISO 13996, Protective clothing — Mechanical properties — Determination of resistance to puncture
ISO 13997, Protective clothing — Mechanical properties — Determination of resistance to cutting by
sharp objects
ISO 16602:2007/Amd1: 2012, Protective clothing for protection against chemicals — Classification,
labelling and performance requirements
ISO 16604, Clothing for protection against contact with blood and body fluids — Determination of
resistance of protective clothing materials to penetration by blood-borne pathogens — Test method using
Phi-X 174 bacteriophage
ISO 17491-1, Protective clothing — Test methods for clothing providing protection against chemicals —
Part 1: Determination of resistance to outward leakage of gases (internal pressure test)
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ISO 17723-1:2019(E)

ISO 17491-2, Protective clothing — Test methods for clothing providing protection against chemicals —
Part 2: Determination of resistance to inward leakage of aerosols and gases (inward leakage test)
ISO 20345:2011, Personal protective equipment — Safety footwear
ISO 23388, Protective gloves against mechanical risks
EN 13274-4, Respiratory protective devices — Methods of test — Part 4: Flame tests
EN 15090:2012, Footwear for firefighters
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http: //www .iso .org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http: //www .electropedia .org/
NOTE A graphical hierarchy of terms is provided in Annex G.
3.1
abrasion rub
one revolution of the outer drives of the Martindale abrasion tester
Note 1 to entry: See ISO 12947-1.
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.2, modified — Note 1 to entry added.]
3.2
biological agents
biological materials capable of causing an acute disease or long term damage to the human body
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.20]
3.3
bootee
sock-like extension of the chemical protective suit (3.7)
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.24, modified — Note 1 to entry deleted.]
3.4
chemical flash fire
ignition of a flammable vapour or gas that produces an outward expanding flame front, as those
vapours or gases burn
Note 1 to entry: This burning and expanding flame front (fire ball) will release both thermal and kinetic energy
to the environment.
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.35]
3.5
chemical protection layer
layer or layers included in the composite that provide resistance to ingress by chemicals and to provide
gas-tight integrity for the purpose of providing protection from chemical hazards
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.36, modified — The phrase "penetration resistance against" was
replaced by "resistance to ingress by".]
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ISO 17723-1:2019(E)

3.6
chemical protective clothing
combined assembly of garments worn to provide protection to the skin against exposure to or contact
with chemicals
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.37]
3.7
chemical protective suit
clothing worn to protect against chemicals that covers the whole, or greater part of the body
Note 1 to entry: A chemical protective suit can comprise of garments combined together to provide protection
to the body. A suit can also have various types of additional protection such as hood or helmet, boots and gloves
(3.16), joined with it.
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.39]
3.8
chemical terrorism agents
liquid, solid, gaseous and vapour chemicals capable of inflicting lethal or incapacitating injuries,
generally on a civilian population as a result of a terrorist attack
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.41, modified — The word "casualties" was replaced by "injuries".]
3.9
closure
device to open and close openings for doffing and donning of protective clothing
3.10
closure system
method of fastening openings in the garment including combinations of more than one method of
achieving a secure closure (3.9)
EXAMPLE A slide fastener covered by an over flap fastened down with a touch and close fastener.
Note 1 to entry: This term does not cover seams (3.21).
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.49]
3.11
component
part or sub-assembly of a protective item
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.61, modified — Deleted "necessary for it to meet its respective
requirements".]
3.12
emergency response team
firefighters and other first responders that are trained and equipped to respond to incidents involving
the release of hazardous materials
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.93, modified — The phrase "accidental release" was replace by
"release".]
3.13
exhaust valve
component (3.11) of a chemical protective suit (3.7) that prevents over pressurization of the suit
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.97]
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ISO 17723-1:2019(E)

3.14
footwear
component (3.11) of the protective ensemble designed to provide protection to the foot, ankle, and
possibly the lower leg
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.119, modified — The word "possibly" was added.]
3.15
gas-tight, vapour-protective ensemble
multiple items of clothing and equipment which when used together provide a high degree of protection
for emergency responders from the adverse exposures to the inherent risks of hazardous materials and
that demonstrate gas-tight integrity
Note 1 to entry: The elements of the gas-tight, vapour-protective ensemble include the chemical protective suit
(3.7), gloves (3.16), and footwear (3.14).
Note 2 to entry: The gas-tight, vapour-protective ensemble can either be of limited use or re-usable construction,
see 3.18 and 3.20.
Note 3 to entry: When referring to an “ensemble”, in the latter part of this document, gas-tight, vapour-protective
ensemble is meant.
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.131, modified — The notes 2 and 3 to entry were added.]
3.15.1
type 1a ensemble
gas-tight ensemble with a breathable gas supply that is independent of the ambient atmosphere
EXAMPLE An ensemble with RPD, type SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) worn inside.
3.15.2
type 1b ensemble
gas-tight ensemble with a breathable gas supply worn outside
EXAMPLE An ensemble with RPD, type SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) worn outside.
3.16
glove
personal protective equipment (PPE) which protects the hand or part of the hand against hazards
Note 1 to entry: It can additionally cover part of the forearm and arm.
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.133]
3.17
lifeline
attached rope the purpose of which is to help to retrieve and pull someone back to safety
Note 1 to entry: This item should not be considered to be a fall-protection device.
3.18
limited-use chemical protective suit
chemical protective suit (3.7) for limited duration of use, i.e., to be worn until hygienic cleaning becomes
necessary or chemical contamination has occurred and disposal is required
Note 1 to entry: This includes protective suits for single use and for limited re-use according to the information
provided by the manufacturer.
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.179, modified — The word "clothing" was replaced by "suit" in both the
term and the definition.]
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ISO 17723-1:2019(E)

3.19
permeation
process by which a chemical moves through a material on a molecular level
Note 1 to entry: Permeation involves:
— sorption of the molecules of the chemical into the contacted (outside) surface of a material;
— diffusion of the sorbed molecules in the material, and;
— desorption of the molecules from the opposite (inner) side of the material.
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.230]
3.20
re-usable chemical protective suit
chemical protective suit (3.7) that is constructed from materials allowing the clothing to be cleaned
after repeated chemical exposures such that it remains suitable for continued use
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.261, modified — The word "clothing" was replaced by "suit" in both
the term and the definition.]
3.21
seam
permanent junction between two or more pieces of material created by sewing, welding or other method
Note 1 to entry: Seams include the permanent joining of suit material to suit material and suit material to other
materials of construction such as integral visor (3.22) materials (visor seams), bootees (3.4) if they are different
from the suit material and also permanently attached gloves (3.16) and boots.
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.267, modified — Note 1 to entry was added.]
3.22
visor
portion of the chemical protective suit (3.7) that permits the user to see out of the ensemble
[SOURCE: ISO/TR 19591:2018, 3.327]
4 Ensemble requirements
4.1
...