Appendix C Acceptance Criteria for Supplied-Air Suits

DOE-STD-1167-2003

APPENDIX C

Acceptance Criteria for Supplied-Air Suits

1. Visual examination of suit (11.1)

The test operator shall examine the supplied-air suit worn by the suit tester to observe if the

suit contains any punctures, tears, seam separations, loose joints, and other defects. If any

such defects are found, the suit shall not be considered acceptable to provide protection to

workers against inhalation of harmful atmospheres. This examination shall also be carried

out on a laundered suit if the DOE contractor has submitted such a suit.

2. Manufacturer instructions and quality assurance program review (11.1)

The donning, operation, maintenance, storage, and the manufacturer or contractor's quality

assurance program instructions pertaining to the supplied-air suit submitted by the DOE

contractor shall be examined and studied. If these instructions are considered inaccurate,

confusing, or incomplete, the suit shall not be considered acceptable for testing.

3. Aerosol penetration during exercise (12.0)

The supplied air suit shall be acceptable in regard to providing respiratory protection if the

average peak aerosol penetration into the helmet of the suit in the breathing zone of the suit

tester does not exceed 0.02 percent for any individual exercise or does not exceed 0.01

percent for all exercises. This shall be true for all values of the rate of airflow into the suit

ranging from the minimum value to the maximum value specified by the DOE contractor.

4. Crush resistance of air hose (13.0)

The breathing air hose shall be acceptable in regard to crush resistance if the lowest rate of

airflow through the hose during the application of the crushing force is not less than 90

percent of the original rate of airflow through the hose and if permanent deformation of the

hose does not occur because of the application of the crushing force. In addition, after

removal of the crush force, airflow must return to at least 95 percent of the original rate.

5. Kink resistance of air hose (14.0)

The breathing air hose shall be acceptable in regard to kink resistance if, during the process

of unfolding the single-coil loop of hose, the lowest rate of flow of air through the hose is

not less than 90 percent of the original rate of airflow through the hose and if localized

kinking of the hose does not occur.

6. Strength of air hose and couplings (15.0)

The strength of the breathing air hose and couplings of the supplied-air suit shall be

acceptable if, during the prescribed tests, breaking of the hose, separation of the hose and

couplings, and separation of components of couplings do not occur and if the lowest rate of

airflow through the hose and couplings is not less than 90 percent of the original rate of

airflow through the hose and couplings.