Chemical & Gas-Tight Suit Inspection in Spain.

Chemical and gas-tight suit inspection and testing

Chemical and gas-tight suit inspection confirms that the protective suits carried on tankers, gas carriers and ships carrying dangerous goods will actually protect the wearer in an emergency. A gas-tight suit is a complete ensemble: suit material, seams, visor, gloves, boots, zip, exhalation valves and the interface with the breathing apparatus. Pinholes, degraded seams, a failed valve or a damaged zip may be invisible until the suit is inflated and pressure tested, and some suits sit in lockers for years before they are needed.

vslSafety coordinates an authorised service technician or maker service station to carry out the work at the vessel’s port.

Regulatory requirements and standards

The requirement for chemical protective clothing depends on the ship and cargo:

• IBC Code chapter 14: chemical tankers carrying products for which 15.12, 15.12.1 or 15.12.3 is listed in column o must carry not less than three complete sets of safety equipment, each including a self-contained air-breathing apparatus, protective clothing, boots, gloves and tight-fitting goggles, a fireproof lifeline and an explosion-proof lamp. Paragraph 14.2.6 requires this equipment to be inspected monthly by a responsible officer, with the inspection logged, and inspected and tested by an expert at least once a year.
• IGC Code chapter 14: gas carriers carry not less than three complete sets of safety equipment in addition to firefighter’s outfits. Where paragraph 14.4 is listed for a product in the chapter 19 table, which includes ammonia and a number of toxic gases, the protective clothing in those sets must be gastight, and emergency escape respiratory and eye protection and decontamination showers and eyewash stations are required.
• SOLAS regulation II-2/19.3.6.1: ships carrying dangerous goods, where Table 19.3 requires it, must carry four sets of full protective clothing resistant to chemical attack in addition to firefighter’s outfits.

Suits are normally certified to EN 943-1 (Type 1 gas-tight suits for industrial use) or EN 943-2 (Type 1 suits for emergency teams, marked ET). Type 1a suits are worn with breathing apparatus inside the suit and Type 1b with it outside. Makers commonly base the internal pressure test on ISO 17491-1. The maker’s instructions define the test pressure, hold time, pass criterion, service life and permitted repairs, and the vessel’s safety management system and flag instructions may add requirements.

Inspection and testing intervals

What the service includes

• Identification of maker, model, type, size, serial number and manufacture date, and review of test history
• Visual inspection of suit material, seams, visor, gloves, boots, cuffs, zip and cover flaps
• Function check of exhalation valves, and of breathing air connections on ventilated suits
• Internal pressure test with calibrated test equipment to the maker’s pressure, hold time and pass criteria
• Valve leak tests where the maker specifies them
• Maker-permitted repairs such as glove, boot, valve or visor replacement, followed by retesting
• Check of storage conditions, folding and locker suitability
• Labelling of each suit with test date and result, and quarantine of failed suits

Suit types covered

Typical work covers reusable gas-tight Type 1a and 1b suits, limited-use gas-tight suits, liquid-tight Type 3 and spray-tight Type 4 suits, and associated gloves and boots. Makers commonly found on board include Dräger, Ansell (Trellchem and AlphaTec), Respirex and Lakeland, among others. Suits are used with SCBA, so pair the attendance with breathing apparatus servicing and cylinder hydrostatic testing and recharging where due.

Common defects and PSC findings

• No record of the annual expert inspection and test, or monthly checks not logged
• Suits past the maker’s service life or with unknown manufacture date
• Leaks at glove and boot joints, zips and visor seals found only under pressure test
• Cracked or sticking exhalation valves
• Suits stored folded and creased for years, near heat sources, or in damp lockers
• Suit type not matched to the cargo: splash suits carried where gastight clothing is required
• Crew unfamiliar with donning, the buddy check and decontamination

Certificates and documents you receive

You receive an itemised inspection and test report for each suit showing identification, test equipment used and its calibration, test pressure and result, defects, repairs and the next due date, plus a signed certificate or service record in the format the provider’s maker authorisation allows. Failed suits are listed with replacement recommendations. A pass records that the suit met the test on that day; it does not confirm the suit material resists every cargo, which must be checked against the maker’s chemical permeation data.

How to prepare the vessel

• Make all suits, spares, test kits and maker manuals available in one dry space
• Confirm that no suit is contaminated; decontaminate and provide safety data sheets where exposure occurred
• Prepare the list of cargoes carried so suit compatibility can be reviewed
• Allow time: a pressure test takes several minutes per suit plus preparation

Information needed for a quotation

• Vessel name, IMO number, ship type, flag, port and ETA/ETD
• Number of suits by type, maker, model, size and serial number
• Manufacture and last test dates
• Cargoes carried, especially ammonia or other toxic products
• Known damage, missing parts, spare gloves, visors or valves on board
• Whether replacement suits or on-board familiarisation are required

vslSafety coordinates a suitable authorised provider at the vessel’s port and confirms the scope before attendance.

Frequently asked questions

How often must gas-tight suits be tested?

On chemical tankers, IBC Code 14.2.6 requires the safety equipment sets to be inspected and tested by an expert at least once a year, with monthly officer checks. Makers of reusable gas-tight suits commonly also require a pressure test after every use and after any repair. On other ships the frequency comes from the maker’s instructions, flag requirements and the ship’s planned maintenance system, so check all three.

What is the difference between EN 943-1 and EN 943-2 suits?

Both are Type 1 gas-tight chemical protective suits. EN 943-1 sets requirements for industrial use, while EN 943-2 covers suits for emergency teams, marked ET, with more demanding requirements such as chemical permeation, flame and low-temperature performance. For shipboard emergency response many operators choose EN 943-2 suits, but the choice should reflect the cargoes and the ship’s risk assessment.

Are gas-tight suits required on ammonia carriers?

Ammonia is one of the products for which IGC Code paragraph 14.4 applies, so the protective clothing in the required safety equipment sets must be gastight, and emergency escape protection and decontamination facilities are needed. Ships using ammonia as fuel follow separate IMO interim guidelines and flag requirements, which should be checked for protective equipment and gas detection equipment.

Can a leaking suit be repaired on board?

Only where the maker’s instructions permit the repair and supply the parts, typically replacement gloves, boots, valves or visors fitted by trained personnel. Patching suit material or seams is often restricted to the maker or an authorised service station. After any repair the suit must pass a pressure test before return to service; otherwise it should be clearly marked unserviceable and removed.

How long does a gas-tight suit last?

Service life is set by the maker and depends on material, storage and use; published figures for reusable suits range from several years to more than a decade. Chemicals, heat, sunlight and poor folding shorten it. Record every manufacture date and order replacements before expiry.