Firefighters performing routine firefighting and rescue operations may unexpectedly encounter small quantities of chemical liquids through accidental splashes, leaks, or contaminated environments. In these situations, a basic level of chemical liquid resistance can provide valuable protection during the initial stages of exposure.

For this reason, EN 469:2020, the European standard, requires firefighting suits to demonstrate a minimum level of resistance against the penetration and absorption of certain chemical liquids. The objective is to provide firefighters with an additional layer of defense against incidental exposure. We shall not transform firefighting suits into chemical protective suits even though the firefighting suits provide a minimum level of resistance against certain chemical liquids.

What Chemicals Are Used in EN 469 Testing?

The chemical liquid protection requirements in EN 469 are evaluated according to EN ISO 6530:2005, a test method that measures two important performance indicators:

• Penetration - No penetration to innermost surface
• Repellency - The amount of chemical liquid that is repelled from the material surface > 80%

Test chemicals defined by the standard and usually selected by manufacturers are 30% H₂SO₄ and 100% o-xylene as representatives to demonstrate that protective clothing simultaneously provides dual liquid splash protection against "aqueous acids and bases" and "organic solvents."

What Does “Passing the Test” Mean?

Successfully passing the EN 469 chemical liquid test demonstrates that the firefighting suit can provide a degree of protection against incidental chemical splashes and help reduce the risk of immediate liquid penetration.

However, passing the test does not certify a firefighting suit for use in chemical spill response, hazardous materials operations, or environments involving prolonged contact with hazardous chemicals. It does not replace the need for dedicated chemical protective clothing specifically designed for such incidents.

When firefighters face known, continuous, or high-risk chemical hazards, a proper risk assessment must always be conducted, and the appropriate level of chemical protective clothing must be selected.

The chemical liquid protection requirement in EN 469 should be viewed as an additional safeguard against possible exposure during firefighting operations. It enhances firefighter safety by providing a limited defensive barrier, while maintaining the primary purpose of structural firefighting gear: protection against heat, flames, and the physical hazards encountered during firefighting and rescue activities.