National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Protective Ensemble Classes

• NFPA Overview
• NFPA Protective Ensemble Classes
  • Class 1
  • Class 2
  • Class 3
  • Class 4
• NFPA Consensus Standards for CBRN Protective Ensembles

---

NFPA Overview

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): World's leading advocate for fire prevention and authoritative source on public safety
  • NFPA develops, publishes, and disseminates more than 300 consensus codes and standards designed to reduce the possibility and minimize the adverse effects of fire and other hazards (including ionizing radiation) on quality of life
• NFPA's CBRN protective ensemble consensus standards provide:
  • Information about individual elements of protective ensembles
    • Footwear & footwear covers
    • Garments (to cover upper and lower torso, head, arms, and legs)
    • Gloves
    • Manufacturer specified (make and model) CBRN respiratory protective equipment
  • Specific performance and testing requirements for individual protective elements and complete ensembles
• NFPA certifications are only issued for complete ensembles
  • Individual protective elements are not considered certified unless used as part of a complete and certified ensemble

---

NFPA Protective Ensemble Classes

NFPA Protective Ensemble Class	Level of Skin Protection	Level of Respiratory Protection	Notes Concerning Use
Class 1 (most protective) See PPE Image Gallery - Level A equivalent	Protective ensemble totally encapsulates wearer and respiratory protective equipment	Mandatory use of NIOSH-certified CBRN self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)	Establishes minimum level of protection for first responders against: Toxic vapors, liquids, and particulates during hazardous materials incidents Specific chemical and biological terrorism agents in vapor, liquid-splash, and particulate environments during CBRN terrorism incidents
Class 2 See PPE Image Gallery - Level B equivalent		Requires use of NIOSH-certified CBRN self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)	For use in terrorism incidents involving vapor or liquid chemical or particulate hazards where concentrations are at or above levels immediately dangerous to life or health
Class 3 See PPE Image Gallery - Level C equivalent		Requires use of NIOSH-certified CBRN air-purifying respirators (APRs) or NIOSH-certified CBRN powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs)	For use in terrorism incidents involving low levels of vapor or liquid chemical hazards where concentrations are below levels immediately dangerous to life or health
Class 4 (least protective) See PPE Image Gallery - Level D equivalent	Ensembles not tested for protection against chemical vapor or liquid permeability, gas-tightness, liquid integrity	Permits use of NIOSH-certified CBRN air-purifying respirators (APRs) or NIOSH-certified CBRN powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs)	For use in terrorism incidents involving biological or radiological particulate hazards only where the concentrations are below levels immediately dangerous to life or health

top of page

---

NFPA Consensus Standards for CBRN Protective Ensembles

• NFPA 1991 Standard on Vapor-Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials Emergencies (2005 edition)
  • Defines the Class 1 ensemble
• NFPA 1994: Standard on Protective Ensembles for First Responders to CBRN Terrorism Incidents (2007 edition)
  • Defines three (3) classes of ensembles based on protection required for different hazard types (vapors, liquids, and particulates) and airborne contaminant levels
    • Class 2 ensemble
    • Class 3 ensemble
    • Class 4 ensemble (newly added to this standard)
  • Transfers Class 1 ensemble requirements to NFPA 1991 (2005 edition)
  • Establishes the minimum performance standards for first responder PPE worn in CBRN terrorist events
• NFPA 1971 Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting (2007 edition)
  • Includes additional optional protection for responders to CBRN hazards
  • Only complete ensembles certified as compliant with optional requirements provide specified level of CBRN protection
  • Protection levels are based on Class 2 ensemble requirements in NFPA 1994
• NFPA 1951 Standard on Protective Ensembles for Technical Rescue Incidents (2007 edition)
  • Contains performance requirements for CBRN Technical Rescue Protective Ensemble used to enter CBRN atmospheres not immediately dangerous to life or health
  • Defines limited protection requirements for
    • Physical, thermal, liquid, and body fluid-borne pathogen hazards
    • CBRN agents in vapor, liquid-splash, and particulate forms

top of page

---

References:

1. ATTENTION EMERGENCY RESPONDERS: Guidance on Emergency Responder Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Response to CBRN Terrorism Incidents. (PDF - 281 KB) (NIOSH Publication No. 2008-132, June 2008. Page 5) (HHS/CDC/NIOSH, June 2008)