ISO 11933-2:1997

ISO 11933-2:1997 - Overview

ISO 11933-2:1997 is the International Standard that specifies requirements for the selection, construction and use of leaktight components fitted to glove/bag ports and ejectable support rings in containment enclosures. It covers gloves, welded bags, tong gaiters for remote‑handling tongs and manipulator gaiters used in environments where contamination control and leaktight integrity are critical (for example, nuclear and radiological applications).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and purpose
  • Defines design principles and usage guidance to promote interchangeability and avoid incompatible proprietary systems.
  • Focus on maintaining leaktightness during mounting, operation and exchange of components.
• Definitions and categories
  • Clear definitions for gloves, welded bags, tong gaiters, manipulator gaiters, interchangeable and ejectable elements.
  • Classification of gloves by mounting (glove ports vs. ejectable support rings) and by material/design (single, double, triple layer, lead‑loaded).
• Designation and coding system
  • Alphanumeric reference numbers and material codes (e.g., PVC, CR, IIR, FPM) for consistent product identification, sizes and seal types.
• Material selection
  • Criteria for selecting materials based on mechanical, chemical and radiation resistance (Annex B provides guidance).
  • Provision for lead‑loaded glove constructions where ionizing radiation protection is required.
• Mounting and exchange methods
  • Descriptions of glove/bag attachment and change methods (including use of beads, lip seals, O‑ring seals and auxiliary clamping) to preserve containment integrity during replacement.
• Performance and compatibility
  • Emphasis on compatibility with associated systems in ISO 11933 series and with leak classification and testing standards.

Practical applications

• Use in gloveboxes, hot cells, containment enclosures, and any facility handling hazardous or radioactive materials requiring remote handling and contamination control.
• Applicable to design, procurement and QA of leaktight access components used in:
  • Nuclear fuel handling and research labs
  • Radioisotope production and processing
  • Hazardous materials research and decontamination facilities

Who uses this standard

• Mechanical and containment designers, manufacturers of gloves/welded bags/gaiters
• Facility engineers, radiological protection specialists, procurement teams
• Quality assurance, regulatory bodies and maintenance personnel responsible for safe component interchange and leak integrity

Related standards

• ISO 11933-1 (glove/bag ports, enclosure rings)
• ISO 11933-3 (transfer systems)
• ISO 10648-1 and ISO 10648-2 (containment design principles and leak classification)
• EN 421 (protective gloves against ionizing radiation)
• ISO 1043-1 (material symbols)

Keywords: ISO 11933-2, containment enclosures, glove ports, welded bags, tong gaiters, manipulator gaiters, leaktight, glove designation, radiation protection, interchangeable elements.