Tychem? Reflector meets base requirements for NFPA 1991 and optional requirements for Chem/Bio terrorism.   Go to top

There are many different kinds of counteragents. The most common type of counter agent used in the U.S. for decontamination is liquid detergent. The common brand used is Liquid Tide. Liquid detergents are used for two reasons:
1) They have good cold-water solubility.
2) They won't damage films in the suit materials.

It is possible that other counteragents could damage suit materials; although it is not known which other specific counteragents would damage the material. The use of "chemical" counteragents in decontamination is not recommended, especially strongly alkaline or acidic agents that will dissolve the aluminized layer, although they have no effect on the chemical films. Use of detergents is recommended.

AVOID EXOTHERMIC REACTIONS: Certain chemicals produce a large amount of heat when they react with water. If suits are heavily contaminated with a water-reactive chemical, there is a possibility that the suit may be damaged during field decontamination from the high reactive heat. The excess chemical may have to be removed with dry sand or non-reactive absorbent before water decontamination.   Go to top

Yes, a hanger is available. Part number 99980. However, most Tychem? Reflector users store the suit in the original packing bag with the zipper left partially open.  Go to top

Yes, ultraviolet rays can damage most chemical suit materials. DuPont recommends drying suits out of direct sunlight, or inside using fans. Some decontamination units are equipped with a drying "room". The suits are hung to dry with tubes inserted inside the arm and leg extensions to gently blow air into the suits for drying.   Go to top

No, this is usually not necessary. Normally the person wearing the suit will come out of the spill area ('hot zone'), and then will be "decontaminated" while still in the suit (by washing off the suit) in order to remove the suit safely. Then the person will sit down, and the suit is removed just to the waist, enabling the SCBA tank to be changed. After the person is rested, tank changed, etc., he will put his arms back into the suit, and the suit will be zipped completely. He is now ready to return to the spill area ('hot zone').

NOTE: It is important to "decontaminate" (wash) the suit before removing the suit even halfway for changing the SCBA tanks.   Go to top

Yes, DuPont offers five types of training suits:

• Responder Training Suit: RS550T - Front Entry, Expanded Back (RS551T - rear entry). This training suit is low cost, and is made to simulate situations wearing actual Responder? suits. It is made of Responder? material, but has a cloth zipper, PVC gloves, and has inexpensive component parts; also, it is NOT gas tight, is NOT pressure tested, and DO NOT have a serial number. PVC Training Suit: D1586S - Front Entry, expanded back. This training suit is made of durable PVC to simulate wearing actual, heavy-weight, reusable chemical suits such as CPE, Viton?, Butyl, etc. It is designed for multiple training uses, and can handle daily use at hazmat training facilities. Tychem? TK Suit: Expanded Back - Front Entry TK586T; Rear entry, TK587T ? This training suit offers an economical and effective option for Level A training. These training suits are made of our popular Tychem? TK materials and features extra wide visor made of 20-mil PVC, providing a panoramic view. All seams are stitched with nylon thread. Butyl gloves are sewn directly on the suit sleeve. Sock boots and boot flaps are made from the base material. The 48" cloth zipper enables storm flap assembly. An internal waist belt provides easier donning of the garment. Each garment is prominently labeled "TRAINING SUIT, DO NOT USE IN HAZARDOUS ENVIROMENTS". Sizes L-4XL. Cordura? Fully Encapsulated Training Suit: Expanded Back - Front EntryCT586B, O style training suits are made of durable, 1000 denier DuPont Cordura? Nylon fabric. Face shield is removable for laundering. Sizes S-4XL. Color may vary. System CPF? 1 Training Suit - Lightweight, economical suits for short-term training situations.   Go to top
  
  
  
• What is the heat resistance of Tychem® Reflector material?
  

  Protective clothing is used under a variety of conditions. Garments can be exposed to a range of ambient temperatures as well as variations in the temperatures of the challenge chemical. No comprehensive method or standard currently exists to establish a temperature service range for a chemical suit or material.
  
  Tychem? Reflector has a highly flame resistant exterior and can withstand temperatures higher than all other limited-use protective fabrics.
  
  The ultimate usable temperature service range for Tychem? Reflector material and seams have not yet been determined. The temperature range for the material and seams is much higher than the temperatures that human skin can withstand without injury. Skin temperatures of 28?F (-2? C) can result in frostbite. Temperatures in excess of 115? F (46? C) will result in first-degree burns.   Go to top

  
  
  
• Will the Tychem® Reflector Material melt from contact with a hot chemical?
  

  This depends on the temperature of the chemical, the amount of chemical and the duration of exposure. In general, hot chemical contact should not effect the Tychem? Reflector fabric as adversely as Responder? or Tychem? TK fabrics.  Go to top

  
  
  
• What is the material of Tychem® Reflector? What is the material made of?
  

  Tychem? Reflector material is a heavy-duty aluminized fabric laminated to a multiple film barrier. Tychem? Reflector suits are stitched with thread made from Nomex? brand fiber and all seams are triple taped inside and single taped outside of the suit.  Go to top

  
  
  
• How many times may the Tychem® Reflector suits be used?
  

  Tychem? Reflector suits may be reused, depending on the level of contamination, toxicity of the chemical, effectiveness of decontamination and the physical condition of the suit. Before considering reuse, all gas- protective suits should pass the pressure test and visual inspection.
  
  Due to the uncertainties associated with determining effective decontamination for reuse, it is recommended that any chemical suit, regardless of material type, be disposed of after contamination with a toxic chemical. See "Decontamination Issues" in the Test Methods Section for further information.   Go to top

  
  
  
• May Tychem® Reflector suits be incinerated?
  

  The recommended method of disposal is burial in a landfill in accordance with local, state and federal regulations. If a suit is known to be contaminated, additional regulations could apply. Tychem? Reflector suits may be incinerated. When incinerated, a mixture of smoke and chloride fumes is emitted.   Go to top

  
  
  
• How will Tychem® Reflector hold up against abrasion or rough usage?
  

  Tychem? Reflector offers superior physical performance, and is the strongest protective garment on the market today. It is highly resistant to cut and abrasion. The aluminized outer layer provides excellent durability properties to the composite materials underneath.
  
  Materials, such as Tychem? Reflector, which contain film laminates also offer much greater chemical protection and are much less expensive than their elastomeric counterparts, such as Viton and Butyl combination fabrics.   Go to top

  
  
  
• May Tychem® Reflector suits be repaired?
  

  Tychem? Reflector suits are not designed to be repaired. Repairs to the aluminized coating are not possible and the chemical protective qualities of the suit would be compromised in the event of a repair. Damaged suits, which are not contaminated, may be used for training purposes.  Go to top

  
  
  
• What chemicals cannot be used against Tychem® Reflector?
  

  Additional chemical permeation on Tychem? Reflector material is being compiled, and test results thus far show similar holdout properties to Responder? fabric.
  
  NOTE: Even though Tychem? Reflector offers excellent chemical resistance to acids and bases, these chemicals will attack the aluminized surface, turning it dark and eliminating the reflective protection. See question number 18 for more information.  Go to top

  
  
  
• Does the Tychem® Reflector suit have boots attached? If not, why?
  

  No, Tychem? Reflector suits do not have attached boots. Instead, integral 'sock boots' are attached to the legs of the suit. These 'sock boots' are made of softer Responder? fabric and serve a number of purposes:

  1. Protect the wearer's foot in case of chemical permeation through the boots. The Responder? fabric offers much higher chemical protection than boot materials.
  2. Allows each individual wearer to use the size of boot that best fits, and the type of boot that is best for the particular situation.
  3. Are more economical. There would be additional costs added for attaching boots.
  4. If the boots are damaged and/or contaminated, and the suit is not, then the suit may be easily reused, without the need for cutting off and re-attaching boots.

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• Who uses Tychem® Reflector suits?
  

  Tychem? Reflector fabric is ideal for end-users who:

  1. Have a frequent need for chemical protection.
  2. Have the need for high cut, puncture, tear and abrasion resistance.
  3. Have a need for flame resistance.
  4. Have a need for a wide range of chemical protection.
  5. Are exposed to extremely toxic chemicals and cannot conduct adequate decontamination procedures.

  
  Tychem? Reflector suits offer the highest level of chemical protection available with protection from direct flame impingement, and, because of this, they are ideal for applications such as chemical emergencies, cleanup and handling of highly toxic chemicals, maintenance situations, etc.  Go to top

  
  
  
• Will Tychem® Reflector suits protect against radiation?
  

  Responder? suits will not protect against ionizing radiation. A heavy shielding material, such as lead, is required to provide protection from ionizing radiation. Protective clothing is typically worn in nuclear applications for protection against radioactive contaminated particles and liquids. Responder? suits will serve as a barrier to radioactive particles, liquids and gases. NuFab?, Tyvek?, NexGen? or Pro/Shield? 2 garments will also provide adequate barrier against radioactive particle contamination; garments made of CPF? 1, CPF? 2 or Tychem? QC will provide barrier protection against radioactive liquid contamination.  Go to top

  
  
  
• What is a flash fire?
  

  A chemical 'flash fire' is the combustion or burning of flammable vapors or gases; typically occurring in enclosed or confined spaces. A flash fire is the ignition of a gas in the air generating radiant heat energy. Flash fires generate extreme temperatures 1200 - 1500?F (649-816?C) for a short period of time (5-10 seconds).  Go to top

  
  
  
• The outer aluminum layer of Tychem® Reflector turns dark when in contact with mild acid splash. Why does this happen and will it damage the suit?
  

  Certain acids, bases and salts may visually degrade the aluminum layer in Tychem? Reflector. This is a normal reaction of aluminum to these chemicals. Signs of degradation may include discoloration or a darkening of the aluminum layer. The degradation should not affect the chemical barrier properties of the fabric, however, this type of degradation will decrease the reflectivity of the aluminum layer, which may warrant suit disposal.  Go to top

  
  
  
• Why are Tychem® Reflector suits not labeled on the outside?
  

  The aluminum coating on the outside of the suit material reflects heat in the event of a flash fire. Any outside labeling or other covering would immediately block reflectivity in this area, causing heat from a flash fire to pass through the suit (instead of bouncing off), melting the film on the inside of the fabric.  Go to top

  
  
  
• What is the shelf life of Tychem® Reflector?
  

  DuPont Tychem? garments contain materials, including gloves, for which there is no specific shelf life data available. It is suggested that garments be labeled and retired to "Training Use Only" after five years. Garments may be used as long as they pass the ASTM F1052-97 pressure test and pass a full visual inspection. Uncontaminated garments that do no pass a pressure test or fail a visual inspection should be retired and labeled "For Training Use Only" or be discarded.   Go to top

  
  
  
• Will new chemicals be tested against Tychem® Reflector?
  

  Yes. We will order additional testing as interested customers request chemicals be tested for specific needs.
  
  DuPont will test a chemical against Tychem? Reflector at no charge, on a confirmed order of at least four Level A suits.   Go to top