ISO 17723-1:2019

Overview

ISO 17723-1:2019 defines minimum design and performance requirements for PPE ensembles for firefighters undertaking hazardous materials response activities - Part 1: gas-tight, vapour-protective ensembles ("type 1"). The standard targets the highest level of chemical protection for emergency response teams facing gases, vapours, liquids and particulates. It provides optional criteria for protection against chemical terrorism and biological agents and optional criteria for retaining ensemble integrity during escape from chemical flash fire. It does not cover respiratory protective devices, radiological hazards, or clothing for high-level heat and flame fighting.

Key topics and technical requirements

ISO 17723-1:2019 covers ensemble design, materials and component performance, with specific technical topics including:

• Minimum ensemble configuration and integration with other equipment (e.g., attachment points, designation of ensemble use).
• Suit material requirements: layered construction, permeation resistance, physical properties and flame-resistance criteria.
• Seams and assemblies: seam strength and seam permeation resistance tests.
• Visors: test materials, physical performance, distortion of vision, permeation resistance and chemical degradation.
• Gloves and glove attachments: outer gloves, removal/replacement, assembly strength, permeation and physical performance.
• Footwear/bootees: requirements for attached or separate boots, splash flaps, flame resistance and permeation resistance.
• Closures (zippers): physical performance and permeation resistance; adapted test cells described.
• Optional protection criteria: additional permeation requirements for chemical terrorism agents and biological agent penetration resistance.
• Labelling and user information: instructions for use, care, maintenance, and selection guidance (Annex B).
• Testing and annexes: practical performance test, visor distortion, cumulative permeation tests, flexing/abrasion preconditioning and other normative/informative annexes.

Practical applications - who uses this standard

ISO 17723-1:2019 is used by:

• Fire services and emergency response teams when selecting type 1, gas-tight ensembles for hazardous materials incidents.
• PPE manufacturers and designers to develop and validate gas-tight, vapour-protective suits and component assemblies.
• Procurement officers and safety managers to specify minimum performance criteria in contracts and purchase orders.
• Test laboratories and certification bodies to structure testing protocols aligned with the standard’s requirements.
• Training developers who prepare guidance on selection, use, care, limitations and escape procedures.

Because the standard excludes respiratory protective devices, users must ensure ensembles are paired with appropriate certified RPDs during interoperability and risk assessments.

Related standards (selection)

• ISO standards on respiratory protection and chemical protective materials (consult national standards bodies for cross-references).
• National and regional fire service PPE standards - for interoperability and complementary requirements.

ISO 17723-1:2019 is a practical reference for ensuring high-level gas-tight chemical protection in hazardous materials response, helping organizations specify, evaluate and use Type 1 ensembles effectively and safely.