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NFPA 1990 Consolidation

A Concise Reference Guide to NFPA Standards

This is an overview of the NFPA standards that apply specifically to protective apparel. If you need additional information on NFPA or other technical issues, please contact Customer Service at 1-866-320-2116 or email customer service.

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Kappler NFPA Standards reference guide cover, worker in DuraChem 500 suit and SCBA respirator in smoke

Important — Read Before Selecting a Garment

This reference is a quick-summary of the standards each garment meets. Before suiting up for a specific chemical or threat, you must verify the actual permeation data for that chemical against the fabric you intend to wear. Do not use these garments for firefighting applications. The user is responsible for confirming that the product is appropriate for the intended use.

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NFPA 1990 (1991)

Hazardous Materials and CBRN Operations Vapor and Liquid

High Protection

Flash-fire protection is OPTIONAL on this class. Verify the specific garment carries the optional thermal certification before entering an environment with both chemical and thermal hazards.

Chemical Resistance vs Garment Fabric, Seams, Visors, Gloves, Boots
Permeation resistance 1 hr vs 21 industrial chemicals, 4 toxic industrial chemicals and agents mustard and soman
Chemical Challenge Level
Liquids 100 g/m2
Concentration Vapors 100%
Chemical Breakthrough Criteria
ASTM F739
Cumulative (ug/cm2) 6.0 TIC’s, 4.0 mustard, 1.25 soman
System Tests
ASTM F1052 Pressure
MIST Inward Leakage
PPDF > 488
Shower > 60 min
Flame Resistance and Flame Break Open Resistance
ASTM F1358
3 sec burn only
FTM 191A
Flash Fire / Thermal Protection
Optional
ASTM F1358 12 sec burn
ASTM F2700 > 8 cal/cm2

Kappler Products

NFPA 1990 (1992)

Hazardous Materials and CBRN Operations Liquid Splash

High Protection

Flash-fire protection is OPTIONAL on this class. Verify the specific garment carries the optional thermal certification before entering an environment with both chemical and thermal hazards.

Chemical Resistance vs Garment Fabric, Seams, Visors, Gloves, Boots
Permeation resistance 1 hr vs 25 toxic industrial chemicals and agents mustard and soman
Chemical Challenge Level
100% concentration and full contact
Chemical Breakthrough Criteria
ASTM F903
Visual liquid
System Tests
ASTM F1359
Shower > 20 min
Flash Fire / Thermal Protection
Optional
ASTM F1358 12 sec burn
ASTM F2700 > 8 cal/cm2
Comfort — Total Heat Loss / Evaporative Resistance
Option/Label Information
THL > 200 W/m2
Ret < 30 Pa·m2/W

Kappler Products

  • DuraChem® 200
  • Zytron® 300
  • Zytron® 500

NFPA 1990 (1994) Class 1

Hazardous Materials and CBRN Operations Vapor and Liquid

High Protection

Flash-fire protection is OPTIONAL on this class. Verify the specific garment carries the optional thermal certification before entering an environment with both chemical and thermal hazards.

Chemical Resistance vs Garment Fabric, Seams, Visors, Gloves, Boots
Permeation resistance 1 hr vs 10 toxic industrial chemicals and agents mustard and soman
Chemical Challenge Level
Liquids 20 g/m2 concentration
Vapors 10,000 ppm Closed Top Cell
Chemical Breakthrough Criteria
Cumulative (ug/cm2) 6.0 TIC’s, 4.0 mustard, 1.25 soman
System Tests
MIST PPDF > 441
ASTM F1359
Shower > 20 min
Flame Resistance and Flame Break Open Resistance
ASTM F1358
3 sec burn only
FTM 191A
Flash Fire / Thermal Protection
Optional
ASTM F1358 12 sec burn
ASTM F2700 > 8 cal/cm2

Kappler Products

NFPA 1990 (1994) Class 2

Hazardous Materials and CBRN Operations Vapor and Liquid

High Protection

Flash-fire protection is OPTIONAL on this class. Verify the specific garment carries the optional thermal certification before entering an environment with both chemical and thermal hazards.

Chemical Resistance vs Garment Fabric, Seams, Visors, Gloves, Boots
Permeation resistance 1 hr vs 5 toxic industrial chemicals and agents mustard and soman
Chemical Challenge Level
Liquids 10 g/m2 concentration
Vapors 350 ppm Closed Top Cell
Chemical Breakthrough Criteria
Cumulative (ug/cm2) 6.0 TIC’s, 4.0 mustard, 1.25 soman
System Tests
MIST PPDF > 328
ASTM F1359
Shower > 20 min
Flash Fire / Thermal Protection
Optional
ASTM F1358 12 sec burn
ASTM F2700 > 8 cal/cm2
Comfort — Total Heat Loss / Evaporative Resistance
Option/Label Information
THL > 200 W/m2
Ret < 30 Pa·m2/W
Viral Penetration Resistance
ASTM F1671
Type R “Ruggedized” Requirements
Laundering 5 cycles prior to MIST testing, higher physicals and increased flex/abrade prior to permeation

Kappler Products

NFPA 1990 (1994) Class 3/3R

Hazardous Materials and CBRN Operations Vapor and Liquid

Medium Protection

Flash-fire protection is OPTIONAL on this class. Verify the specific garment carries the optional thermal certification before entering an environment with both chemical and thermal hazards.

Chemical Resistance vs Garment Fabric, Seams, Visors, Gloves, Boots
Permeation resistance 1 hr vs 5 toxic industrial chemicals and agents mustard and soman
Chemical Challenge Level
Liquids 10 g/m2 concentration
Vapors 40 ppm Open Top Cell
Chemical Breakthrough Criteria
Cumulative (ug/cm2) 6.0 TIC’s, 4.0 mustard, 1.25 soman
System Tests
MIST PPDF ≥ 35
ASTM F1359
Shower > 8 min
Flash Fire / Thermal Protection
Optional
ASTM F1358 12 sec burn
ASTM F2700 > 8 cal/cm2
Comfort — Total Heat Loss / Evaporative Resistance
THL > 200 W/m2
Ret < 30 Pa·m2/W
Viral Penetration Resistance
ASTM F1671
Type R “Ruggedized” Requirements
Laundering 5 cycles prior to MIST testing, higher physicals and increased flex/abrade prior to permeation

NFPA 1990 (1994) Class 4/4R

Hazardous Materials and CBRN Operations Particle

Medium Protection

Flash-fire protection is OPTIONAL on this class. Verify the specific garment carries the optional thermal certification before entering an environment with both chemical and thermal hazards.

System Tests
ASTM F1359
Shower > 4 min
Particle Inward Leakage
No visible particles on test subject
Flame Resistance and Flame Break Open Resistance
N/A
Flash Fire / Thermal Protection
Optional
ASTM F1358 12 sec burn
ASTM F2700 > 8 cal/cm2
Comfort — Total Heat Loss / Evaporative Resistance
THL > 450 W/m2
Ret < 30 Pa·m2/W
Viral Penetration Resistance
ASTM F1671
Type R “Ruggedized” Requirements
Laundering 5 cycles prior to MIST testing, higher physicals and increased flex/abrade prior to permeation

NFPA 1990 (1994) Class 5

Hazardous Materials and CBRN Operations Flammable Gases not Toxic to Skin

Low Protection
Chemical Resistance vs Garment Fabric, Seams, Visors, Gloves, Boots
Liquid Repellency resistance
ISO 6530 4 non-toxic liquids
Chemical Challenge Level
Low Level Splash
Chemical Breakthrough Criteria
ISO 6530 > 80% repellency
Flash Fire / Thermal Protection
ASTM F1358 12 sec burn
ASTM F2700 > 20 cal/cm2
Comfort — Total Heat Loss / Evaporative Resistance
THL > 450 W/m2
Ret < 30 Pa·m2/W

NFPA 1950 (1999)

Emergency Medical Services Single Use

Low Protection
Comfort — Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR)
ASTM E96, Procedure B
≥ 650 g/m² / 24 hour
Viral Penetration Resistance
ASTM F1671
PASS
System Test
ASTM F1359
Shower > 8 min

NFPA 2112

Flame-Resistant Clothing for Industrial Personnel

Specialty Standard
Fabric Heat Transfer Performance (HTP)
ASTM F2700
Contact > 3 cal/cm2
Spaced > 6 cal/cm2
Fabric Flame Resistance
ASTM D6413
< 2s after-flame, < 4 inch char length, no melt or drip
Fabric Heat and Thermal Shrinkage
ASTM F2894
Less than 10% shrinkage, no melt or drip
System Test Thermal Manikin (Pyroman)
ASTM F1930
Less than 50% body burn

Kappler Products

  • DuraChem® 200

NFPA 70E & ASTM F1891

Electrical Safety in the Workplace

Specialty Standard
Arc Flash Performance and Rating
ASTM F1959
APTV 8-25 cal/cm2
HRC Class 2

Kappler Products

  • DuraChem® 200

Not Sure Where to Start?
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This free tool helps you select the right chemical protective clothing based on your hazard type, exposure level and usage environment.

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