Understanding Type 1–6 Coverall Ratings: What They Really Mean

Not all protective coveralls offer the same level of protection—and that’s where the Type 1–6 classifications come in.

These numbers aren’t random. They tell you exactly what kind of hazard a suit is designed to handle—from dust and spray to pressurized chemical jets.

If you’re buying PPE, you need to know what each Type actually protects against—and what it doesn’t.

Types 1 through 6 define the level of protection a disposable suit provides against liquid or particulate hazards. Higher numbers (like Type 5/6) are for lower-risk environments, while lower numbers (like Type 1/2/3) are for higher-risk situations with full or partial liquid and gas protection.

Type 1 – Gas-Tight (Highest Level)

Protection against:
✔️ Hazardous gases, vapors, and liquids under pressure
✔️ Used with SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus)

Common use:

• Chemical spill response
• Hazmat teams
• High-risk chemical tank entry
• Chlorine, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide incidents

Construction:

• Gas-tight zippers
• Sealed seams
• SCBA-compatible design
• Usually constructed from multi-layer fluoropolymer or rubberized fabrics

Standards:
EN 943-1, EN 943-2 (for industrial and emergency use)

⚠️ Bulky, expensive, and not breathable. For extreme conditions only.

🛠️ Buyer tip: Always check if the suit is Type 1a (SCBA inside) or Type 1b (SCBA outside)—this affects heat load and mobility.

Type 2 – Non Gas-Tight with Positive Pressure

Protection against:
✔️ Similar chemical exposure as Type 1
❌ Not gas-tight, but keeps contaminants out via positive air pressure

Used in:

• High-grade cleanrooms
• Some microelectronic production lines
• Virus research where clean airflow is maintained

Standards:
EN 943-1

⚠️ Rare in industrial use—usually replaced by Type 1 or Type 3.
🧪 Mostly custom-designed for controlled lab applications.

Type 3 – Liquid-Tight (Jet-Proof)

Protection against:
✔️ Strong liquid chemical jets or sprays
✔️ High volume pesticide exposure
✔️ Splash from acids, bases, solvents

Used in:

• Tank cleaning and transfer
• Agriculture (spraying chlorpyrifos, glyphosate)
• Chemical blending operations
• Emergency spill response teams

Construction:

• Taped or heat-sealed seams
• Barrier-layer laminate or coated fabrics
• Pressure-tested to resist strong directional liquid force

Standards:
EN 14605 (Type 3)

✅ Go-to for high-splash environments.
❌ NOT suitable for gas or vapor protection.

Type 4 – Spray-Tight (Saturation Protection)

Protection against:
✔️ Saturated chemical spray or mist
✔️ Water-based chemical processing
✔️ Moderate exposure zones

Used in:

• Painting / powder coating
• Light chemical mixing
• Cold-room cleaning
• Poultry and food factories using acid wash

Construction:

• Sealed seams
• Lower-pressure spray tested
• May include breathable back panel for heat relief

Standards:
EN 14605 (Type 4)

✅ Common in agriculture and factories.
❌ Won’t hold up under high-pressure jet or full immersion.

Type 5 – Dry Particle Protection

Protection against:
✔️ Hazardous dry dust, fibers, powders
✔️ Asbestos, pharmaceutical residues
✔️ Crystalline silica, mineral wool

Used in:

• Asbestos abatement
• Insulation removal
• Cement factories
• Grain silos and flour mills
• Silica blasting jobs

Standards:
EN ISO 13982-1 (Type 5)

Typical Materials:
SMS non-woven, microporous laminate, Tyvek®

✅ Breathable fabrics (like SMS) common.
❌ No liquid protection at all.
🧼 Ideal for dry decontamination tasks and dusty production areas.

Type 6 – Limited Splash Protection

Protection against:
✔️ Light liquid mist and splashes
❌ NOT suitable for heavy exposure or hazardous chemicals

Used in:

• Daily cleaning in office buildings or public spaces
• Light duty janitorial tasks
• Food industry quality inspection
• Temporary visitor PPE at low-risk sites

Standards:
EN 13034 (Type 6)

✅ Lightweight and affordable.
❌ Minimal chemical resistance—don’t rely on for serious exposure.

Summary Comparison Table

Why Type Isn’t Everything

❌ A Type 4 suit might not resist hydrochloric acid for more than 20 mins.
❌ A Type 5 suit may tear during heavy physical work.
❌ Type 6 might be compliant—but still fail in real use.

🧪 Always check: chemical compatibility + physical durability + breathability

📎 Ask your supplier to provide:

• Chemical permeation test data
• Seam type (stitched vs. sealed)
• Suit weight (g/m²)—affects comfort and protection

Smart Buying Tips

• ✅ Always confirm Type AND chemical resistance
• ✅ Ask: “Has this suit been tested against my specific chemical?”
• ✅ Look for real-world application cases, not just lab results
• ✅ Use Type 4/5 hybrid suits when dealing with dual risks (spray + dust)
• ✅ For hot environments, pick breathable Type 5/6 with vented back panels

Conclusion

Coverall “Type” isn’t just a number—it’s a safety blueprint.

Get it wrong, and your workers are exposed.
Get it right, and you’ll hit that balance of protection, comfort, and compliance.

We help our clients analyze risks, match protection levels, and avoid costly PPE mistakes.

📩 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.workwearsolutions.net