This European Standard is concerned with the application of the described method of test, usually with chemicals of low volatility. Clothing made of these materials is not for use as the sole means of protection where resistance to permeation by chemicals at the molecular level (see EN 369) is essential and where a complete barrier to liquid (or gaseous chemicals) is required (e.g. risk of exposure to massive and forceful discharges of concentrated liquid chemicals).
Clothing, which has been developed from materials selected by this method of test, should be used therefore only in well-defined circumstances when an evaluation of the finished item has indicated an acceptable level of performance (e.g. in laboratory and field testing of a garment, consideration of exposure levels to specified chemicals, etc.).
Two levels of the potential performance of materials are assessed by the method of test to meet with possible requirements for protection against:
a) deposition on the surface of a material, at minimal pressure, of spray droplets up to coalescence or occasional small drips;
b) contamination by a single copious splash or low pressure jet, allowing sufficient time to divest the clothing or take other action as necessary to eliminate any hazard to the wearer from chemical retained by the protective garment, or, in circumstances where pressure is applied to liquid contaminants on the surface of the clothing material as a result of natural movements of the wearer (flexing of contaminated areas of clothing at arms, knees, shoulders) and contact with contaminated surfaces (e.g. walking through sprayed foliage).