European Standard · Protective Clothing
EN 14605 – Liquid-Tight and Spray-Tight Chemical Protective Clothing
EN 14605 is the European standard specifying requirements for chemical protective clothing offering liquid-tight (Type 3) or spray-tight (Type 4) protection, providing a substantially higher level of defence against liquid chemical exposure than EN 13034.
1. Scope
EN 14605 applies to garments designed to prevent liquid chemicals from penetrating the suit under jet spray (Type 3) or fine spray/aerosol (Type 4) conditions, including full-body suits with sealed seams and, for Type 3, pressure-tested connections at joints such as zippers and gloves.
2. Exclusions & Related Standards
- Offers stronger protection than EN 13034 (Type 6 limited spray protection).
- Often combined with chemical-resistant gloves meeting EN 374 and appropriate respiratory protection where vapours are also present.
- Built on the general clothing requirements of EN ISO 13688.
3. Key Requirements & Marking
Garments are marked Type 3 (liquid-tight, tested against a jet of liquid) or Type 4 (spray-tight, tested against a fine spray). Requirements include seam integrity, whole-suit pressure or spray testing, and material resistance to specified challenge chemicals for a defined permeation breakthrough time.
4. Testing Overview
Testing includes a whole-suit jet test (Type 3) or spray test (Type 4) with the suit worn by a test subject connected to a detection system, seam strength and permeation resistance testing against reference chemicals, and closure and connection integrity checks.
5. Selection Guide
Type 3 suits are selected for tasks involving direct jets or streams of hazardous liquid chemicals, such as chemical transfer or spill response, while Type 4 suits suit tasks with fine sprays, mists or aerosols where full jet-level protection is not required but higher protection than Type 6 is needed.
6. Inspection, Care and Maintenance
- Never reuse a suit after significant chemical exposure unless explicitly rated for decontamination and reuse
- Inspect seams, zippers and seals for damage before every use
- Confirm the specific chemical resistance data for your target substance, since permeation resistance varies significantly by chemical
- Store in a cool, dry area away from ozone sources, sunlight and chemical vapours
7. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Type 3 and Type 4 suits?
Type 3 suits are tested against a pressurised jet of liquid and offer the highest liquid-tight protection, while Type 4 suits are tested against a fine spray and offer slightly lower, spray-tight protection.
Can EN 14605 suits be reused?
Some are designed for limited reuse with proper decontamination, but many are single-use after significant chemical contact; always follow the manufacturer’s specific guidance.
Does a Type 3 suit protect against all chemicals?
No, chemical resistance is specific to each tested substance; always check the manufacturer’s permeation data table for the exact chemical you will be working with.
Is EN 14605 suitable for confined space chemical spill response?
It can be, depending on the specific hazard and required protection level, but confined space work often requires additional respiratory protection and a full hazard assessment.
How do I choose between Type 3 and Type 4?
Choose Type 3 when direct jets or high-pressure liquid contact is likely, and Type 4 when the exposure is expected to be limited to fine sprays, mist or aerosols.