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FrançaisChemical splashes, spray, dirty water or rain: how well a protective coverall stands up to these risks depends largely on its fabric. The wrong fabric either fails to deliver the required protection or makes workers sweat so much that the coverall is not worn at all. This guide explains what workwear and PPE manufacturers, safety managers and buyers should look for when choosing fabric for a chemical protective coverall.
Start with the risk: Type 3, Type 4 and Type 6
In Europe, clothing for protection against chemicals is classified into “types” according to the level of protection it gives against liquids. The lower the type number, the higher the protection:
- Type 3 – liquid-tight (EN 14605): protection against a pressurised jet of liquid. The garment is assessed with the ISO 17491-3 jet test.
- Type 4 – spray-tight (EN 14605): protection against heavy spray that wets the whole surface of the garment. The garment is assessed with the ISO 17491-4 spray test.
- Type 6 – limited protection (EN 13034): against light splashes and low-intensity spray, assessed with a lower-level spray test.
Types 1 and 2 cover gas-tight and non-gas-tight fully encapsulating suits, and Type 5 covers dry particles; these are assessed against separate standards.
Important: the type classification applies to the finished garment, not to the fabric. Seams, zip flap, cuffs and ankles must pass the test too. Chemical protective clothing is Category III under the EU PPE Regulation (2016/425), so CE marking requires an EU type-examination by a notified body. Fabric test reports support the garment maker’s technical file but do not replace the garment’s certification.
Fabric strength: EN 14325 classes
EN 14325 grades the physical and chemical performance of chemical protective clothing materials in classes; the higher the class, the better the performance. When choosing, look at:
- Abrasion (EN 530): determines the life of rubbing areas such as knees, elbows and seat.
- Tear (EN ISO 9073-4) and tensile strength (ISO 13934-1): resistance to snagging and pulling.
- Puncture (EN 863): critical when working with sharp edges, scrap, wire and broken parts.
- Seam strength (ISO 13935-2): coveralls often fail at the seams first.
- Flex cracking (ISO 7854): the coating’s resistance to cracking under frequent folding and in the cold.
- Liquid repellency and penetration (EN ISO 6530): liquid should run off the surface and not pass through; check which chemicals the report covers.
Rule of thumb: for heavy industry, ports and tank cleaning, look for high classes in abrasion and puncture. In cold environments and for garments that are folded often, pay extra attention to the flex cracking class.
Rain and wet work: EN 343 and wearing time
EN 343, for clothing that protects against rain, fog and ground moisture, gives two values: a water penetration class and a water vapour resistance (Ret) class. The higher the water vapour resistance, the less the garment breathes. For garments with water vapour resistance Class 1, the standard states a recommended continuous wearing time depending on ambient temperature:
| Ambient temperature | Recommended continuous wearing time |
|---|---|
| 25 °C | 60 minutes |
| 20 °C | 75 minutes |
| 15 °C | 100 minutes |
| 10 °C | 240 minutes |
| 5 °C | no limit |
PU-coated closed barrier fabrics give reliable protection against liquid chemicals, but their vapour permeability is limited. In hot climates and for strenuous work, plan breaks, choose moisture-managing underwear and check that any ventilation in the design does not compromise the protection type.
Reusable or disposable?
Disposable coveralls are practical for short tasks and for heavy contamination where the garment must be thrown away after use. Reusable PU-coated coveralls come into their own in daily use and where abrasion and puncture risks are high: they withstand industrial laundering, last longer and reduce constant garment waste.
For reuse, check two things: test data showing that the fabric keeps its performance after washing (tensile strength, water resistance), and a clear procedure for cleaning contaminated garments. After serious chemical contamination, a safety professional should decide whether the garment can be reused.
Other requirements: visibility, flame, antistatic
- High visibility (EN ISO 20471): needed for port, road and site work. Fluorescent yellow, orange-red or red background material is combined with retroreflective tape; the garment’s class depends on the area of these surfaces. Fabric colour alone is not enough.
- Flame (ISO 14116): Index 1 only means limited flame spread; Index 1 materials must not be worn next to the skin but over an Index 2 or 3 garment. Where there is a flame or arc risk, choose garments designed for those risks.
- Antistatic (EN 1149-5): mandatory in explosive atmospheres (ATEX zones). Most coated fabrics do not meet this requirement; use garments approved as antistatic in these zones.
Buyer’s checklist
- Has the risk been defined and is the required type (3, 4 or 6) clear?
- Which chemicals are handled, and does the fabric’s penetration/repellency data cover them?
- Do the EN 14325 classes meet the abrasion, tear and puncture demands of the job?
- EN 343 classes and climate: is wearing time planned according to the water vapour resistance class?
- Have washing temperature and post-wash performance been tested?
- Are high visibility, flame or antistatic requirements involved?
- Are the test reports current, from an accredited laboratory, and was the garment really made from this fabric?
- Is the garment itself certified as Category III?
Example: Duratex® PU-coated coverall fabric
Gentuğ Textile’s Duratex® fabric is a 180 g/m² coverall fabric with a polyurethane coating on a polyamide base, made in three colours: yellow (ARG 2044-2), orange (ARG 2047-2) and navy blue (ARG 2049). Coveralls made from it passed EN 14605 Type 3 and Type 4 tests in independent laboratories, showed no leakage in the EN 13034 Type 6 spray test and passed EN 343 protection against rain.
Under EN 14325 the fabric reached Class 6 in abrasion (EN 530), tear (EN ISO 9073-4) and puncture (EN 863); it is Class 1 in flex cracking. Its water vapour resistance under EN 343 is Class 1, so wearing time in heat should be planned according to the table above. It is Index 1 under ISO 14116 and is not antistatic. It is certified to OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Class 1 and is washable at 90 °C. All test results and downloadable reports are on the product page; other materials are in our Safety Workwear Textiles range.
PPE and workwear manufacturers: contact us for samples, roll goods and finished coverall quotations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Type 4 and Type 6 coveralls?
Type 4 protects against heavy spray that wets the whole garment surface and is tested to EN 14605. Type 6 gives only limited protection against light splashes and low-intensity spray and is tested to EN 13034.
Does a fabric test report make the coverall certified?
No. Chemical protective clothing is Category III under the EU PPE Regulation, and CE marking is given to the finished garment after type-examination by a notified body. Fabric reports support the garment maker’s technical file in this process.
What does EN 343 water vapour resistance Class 1 mean?
It means the garment lets water vapour through only to a limited extent. For this class the standard gives a recommended continuous wearing time by temperature, for example 60 minutes at 25 °C and 240 minutes at 10 °C.
How many times can a PU-coated coverall be washed?
This depends on the garment’s design and use; the garment maker should test it to the maximum number of washes it states. When choosing fabric, ask for test data showing that water resistance and tensile values are retained after washing.
Can a chemical protective coverall be high-visibility?
Yes, it can be designed to EN ISO 20471 using fluorescent yellow or orange background material and retroreflective tape. The visibility class depends on the area of these surfaces on the garment.