NFPA (Fire) 1994 Historical

NFPA 1994 provides the right PPE to protect emergency services first responders!

NFPA 1994 establishes the minimum requirements for the design, performance, testing, documentation, and certification of protective ensembles and ensemble elements for protection of emergency first responder personnel from chemicals, biological agents, and radiological particulate (CBRN) terrorism agents.

The 2007 edition of NFPA 1994:

• Transfers the requirements of the former the Class 1 ensemble to NFPA 1991: Standard on Vapor-Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials Emergencies, where the highest level of vapor protection is covered. This type of ensemble is more likely to be used by specialized response teams that have the resources and training for correct use.
• Realigns criteria for Class 2 and Class 3 ensembles and adds a Class 4 ensemble that provides limited protection to first responders to CBRN terrorism incidents involving biological hazards or radiological particulate hazards at terrorism incidents.
• Requires that Class 3 ensembles be subjected to a MIST (Man In Simulant) test that could permit the use of more breathable materials to reduce heat stress to emergency responders, such as law enforcement personnel, who might use these ensembles over a longer duration in low challenge exposures and non-IDLH atmospheres.