Quik Tips: Different Levels of Protective Suits

Levels of protective ensembles refer to more than just the suit. 

It’s a combination of how you couple the suit with respiratory protection.  Here’s a quick guide:

Level A - To be selected when the greatest level of skin, respiratory and eye protection is required.  Typically includes gas tight fully encapsulating suit and self contained breathing apparatus.

Level B - To be selected when the highest level of respiratory protection is needed, but a lesser level of skin and eye protection.  Level B Suits, protect against liquid chemicals.  They incorporate a full faced supplied air respirator with suit, gloves, and boots.

The trend now is to use encapsulating garments that are not "vapor tight" along with self contained breathing apparatus.

Level C - The concentration and type of airborne substance is known and the criteria for using air purifying respirators are met.  Coverall type garment to provide basic particle or liquid splash protection recommended.

Level D - A work uniform affording minimal protection: used for nuisance contamination only.