Until recently, this has been a big problem for end users, with most manufacturers having just a few basic styles to select from. Alpha Solway offer a system called “chem cre8” which allows end users to create a garment style to suit their own exacting requirements, including the ability to change the sleeve, leg, zip, hood designs with ease. With additonal colours, ancillaries and reflective tape configurations also available, the possibilities are almost endless.

A chemical suit can last from a few minutes to several years. The life of garment depends on the mechanical stresses and strains, together with the chemical contact that the suit will endure as well as correct storage and maintenance procedures being followed. There is no definitive answer to this.

This depends on your Risk Assessment. Key issues may be, the type(s) and concentration(s) of chemical(s) in use; whether you need to have protection against splash or constant contact; the length of time the suit is to be worn; the mechanical strength of the suit …. etc. Alpha Solway can offer key performance data against both to enable a more informed decision to be made.

Washing instructions are simple …. rinse and drip dry. Done correctly, this will improve safety and extend the life of the garment significantly, saving money! Instructions are packed with each suit and supplementary information is available. Contact our Sales Team for more details.

A damaged or contaminated garment offers little protection against an aggressive chemical. Regular checks and good operator awareness of the issues should be standard practice and should very much be part of your supply and management regime.

Firstly, if it doesn’t meet EN465, EN466, EN467 or EN14605 then you are unlikely to be covered. Secondly, it depends very much on what tasks are being done. Some garments offer “full body” protection (EN465, EN466 or EN14605) and others offer just “part body” protection (EN467 and EN14605 [PB]). There is also a significent difference between “Type 3 (Liquid Tight) EN466 and EN14605” and “Type 4 (Spray Tight) EN465 and EN14605” garments.

If you use just waterproof clothing, this often has breathe holes and other serious design flaws which are not ideal for hazardous chemical protection. Chemical Protective Clothing will be CE marked and comply with EN Standards such as EN465, EN466, EN467 or EN14605 and this can only really be chosen once a full risk assessment / hazard identification has taken place.

Even at low concentrations, chemicals such as Hydrochloric Acid, Caustics and Sodium Hypochlorite can cause skin and eye irritations and at higher concentrations serious injuries. Chemical Protective Clothing is still required even against fairly weak or diluted chemical solutions.

Fats and oils from food stuffs contain substances which can quickly break down many fabrics, including PVC, resulting in chemical exposure to the operative. Chemsol HG offers enhanced resistance against these products and also complies with the latest BS EN 14605 Chemical Protective Clothing standard.

It is both good practice and a legal requirement to carry out a full Risk Assessment before providing the necessary PPE.

Yes we can. We do need to know what circumstances the chemicals are being used in and at what concentration so that we can advise which of our chemical clothing would be most suitable. The more information you can supply the better, particularly if you can supply a chemical data sheet. Each of our garment User Information Sheets supply details of some chemical breakthrough times and you can contact our Sales Office on sales@globus.co.uk or by telephone +44 (0)161 877 4747 for information.

We are happy to quote for ‘bespoke’ garments which are different to our standard designs and sizes. Please contact our Sales Team with specific details of your enquiry by e-mail sales@globus.co.uk or telephone +44 (0)161 877 4747.

BS EN 533 is a British Standard which covers garments offering protection against flame and heat – limited flame spread (materials and material assemblies). Our Chemsol Plus range conforms to BS EN 533 Index 1. However, BS EN 531 offers greater protection and our Chemsol531 range of clothing has been developed specifically to offer greater protection to workers exposed to heat. Please refer to our Chemsol531 section and contact our sales office for further details sales@alphasolway.com or 01461 202452.

Yes – we have a system called Glovezon. This works by us adapting the sleeve of the garment being worn (the complete garment needs to be made-to-order) which then allows for various types of glove to be attached to the garment and provide a spray tight seal to stop seepage. A Glovezon kit also needs to be purchased with the suit for this. For further information please refer to our Glovezon section and contact our Sales Team.