NFPA Standards for Protective Apparel

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) develops, publishes and disseminates consensus codes and performance standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks. Shown here is a an overview of the NFPA standards that apply specifically to protective apparel, along with details on our products certified to these standards. If you need additional information on NFPA or other technical issues, please contact Customer Service at 1-800-600-4019 or email usa@kappler.com.

NFPA Chemical Standards Overview
  NFPA 1991 NFPA 1992 NFPA 1994 Class 2 NFPA 1994 Class 3 NFPA 1994 Class 4
Scope Hazmat Response Vapor Hazmat Response Liquid Chem/Bio Terrorism Incident Response Vapor Chem/Bio Terrorism Incident Response Liquid Chem/Bio Terrorism Incident Response Particle
Chemical vs Garment Fabric, Seams, Visors, Gloves, Boots Permeation resistance 1 hr vs 21 industrial chemicals, 4 toxic industrial chemicals and warfare agents sarin and mustard Penetration resistance 1 hr vs 7 industrial chemicals Permeation resistance 1 hr vs 5 toxic industrial chemical and mustard and soman Permeation resistance 1 hr vs 5 toxic industrial chemicals and mustard and soman Not Required
Challenge Level 100 % concentration and full contact 100 g/m2 agents 100 % concentration and full contact Liquids 10 g/m2 Gases 350 ppm Closed Top Cell Liquids 10 g/m2 Gases 40 ppm Open Top Cell Not Required
Breakthrough Criteria ASTM F 739 Normalized Rate Agents Cumulative 4.0 mustard, 1.25 sarin ASTM F 903 Visual liquid ASTM F739 Cumulative 6.0 TICs, 4.0 mustard, 1.25 soman ASTM F 739 Cumulative 6.0 TICs, 4.0 mustard, 1.25 soman Not Required
System ASTM F 1052 Pressure Test SF6 inward leakage ASTM F 1359 Shower Test  >60min Flashfire Option 7 second flash propane ASTM F 1359 Shower Test > 20 min MIST PDDF >360 ASTM F 1359 Shower Test > 20 min MIST PDDF >120 ASTM F 1359 Shower Test >4 min Particle Inward Leakage Test < 5 %
Flame Resistance ASTM F 1358 Pass Not Required Not Required Not Required Not Required
COMFORT ASTM F 1868 Total Heat Loss Not Required Not Required Not Required Pass Pass
Viral Resistance ASTM F 1671 FABRIC/ SEAMS Not Required Not Required Pass Pass Pass
Components Boots/SCBA Boots/Respirator Boots/SCBA Boots/Specify Respirator Boots/Specify Respirator
Kappler Products Frontline® 500 FSH580-91 Zytron 300 Z3H428-92 Z3H427-92 Zytron 500 Z5HTN-C2 In Development  
NFPA Flame and Thermal Standards Overview
  NFPA 2112 NFPA 1971 NFPA 1991
Scope Flame Resistant Garments for Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire Ensembles for Structural and Proximity Fire Fighting Vapor Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials Emergencies
Flame Resistance ASTM D 6413 Cut edge 12 sec w/ < 2 sec afterflame,  < 4 in char length No melt or drip ASTM D 6413 Cut edge 12 sec w/ < 2 sec afterflame, < 4 in char length No melt or drip ASTM F 1358 Folded edge 3 sec no ignition 12 sec w/ < 10 sec afterflame and char length < 4 inches
TPP Spaced TPP > 25 Contact TPP > 12.6 Average TPP > 35 Contact TPP > 12
System ASTM F 1930 Thermoman 3 sec < 50% Body Burn   Chemical Propane Flashover 7 sec Pass Pressure Test
Heat Stability 500 degrees F for 5 minutes, < 10% shrinkage 500 degrees F for 5 minutes, < 10% shrinkage  
NFPA 701 –
Sometimes referenced for protective clothing, intended for home furnishings.
NFPA 702 –
Obsolete standard on rating the level of flammability
Flash Fire –
A fire that spreads rapidly through a diffuse fuel, such as dust, gas, or the vapors of an ignitable liquid, without the production of damaging pressure.
Proximity Fire Fighting –
Specialized fire fighting operations that can include the activities of rescue, fire suppression and property conservation at incidents involving fires producing high levels of radiant heat, as well as conductive and convective heat.

NFPA Certified Garments

NFPA 1991

Introducing Frontline® 500

Front Entry, Expanded Back, Large PVC view window with FEP Overlay, Double-Taped Seams, Knee Reinforcements, 2 Exhalation Valves, 48" Gas-Tight PVC Zipper, Double Storm Flap with Hook and Loop closure, attached Sock boots with Boot Flap, Field Replaceable Glove System includes Butyl Gloves with Barrier Glove liner and knitted Kevlar overglove.

F5H58091
  • XS-5X,
  • Silver w/hi-vis. orange taped seams,
  • 1/cs,
  • 12 lb/ 3.6 kg

NFPA 1992/2005 Edition

Made with Zytron 300 Fabric with Respirator Fit Hood

Elastic hood opening with special design for better fit against respirator, with attached gloves and sock boots. Front zipper extends diagonally across chest up into hood for easier donning/doffing. Zipper opening has double overlapping storm flap with Hook and Loop closure. Double glove system permanently attached to sleeves. Sock boots with splash guards (worn inside outer work boots). Boot splash guards have elastic edge. Glove System: Outer glove is Ansell Neoprene, inner glove is Ansell Barrier.

Front Entry, Heat Sealed/Taped — Z3H427-92
  • XS-5X,
  • Tan,
  • 6/cs,
  • 9 lb / 4.1 kg

Elastic hood opening with special design for better fit against respirator, plus elastic ankle and wrist openings. Extended double stormflap, with Hook and Loop and double-sided tape closure design which fold over at top of zipper for better fit and seal.

Front Entry, Heat Sealed/Taped - Z3H428-92
  • XS-5X,
  • Tan,
  • 6/cs,
  • 9 lb / 4.1 kg

NFPA 1994 - Class 2

Made with Zytron 500 Fabric

Front Entry with Expanded Back, Double-Heat Sealed/Taped Seams, Large-View 40 mil PVC Face Shield with FEP Overlay, 2 Exhalation Valves, 48" (122 cm) Gas-Tight PVC Zipper, Double Storm Flap with Hook and Loop Closure, Attached Sock Boots with Boot Flap, Field Replaceable Butyl Gloves with Barrier Glove Liners and Kevlar Knit Overgloves.

Front Entry, Vapor Total Encapsulating Suit - Z5HTN-C2
  • XS-5X,
  • Orange or Charcoal,
  • 1/cs,
  • 9 lb / 4.1 kg