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Be prepared for fast, safe, and effective haz-mat response with support from NFPA 1991: Standard on Vapor-Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials Emergencies and CBRN Terrorism Incidents.

NFPA 1991 presents requirements for the highest level of protection for emergency responders to hazardous materials incidents where an unknown threat, a vapor threat, or a chemical or biological terrorism WMD threat is present or expected. Provisions cover the design, performance, testing, documentation, and certification of vapor-protective ensembles and ensemble elements used by emergency response personnel during hazardous materials incidents -- and for protection from chemicals, biological agents, and radiological and nuclear particulates (CBRN) encountered as terrorism agents. Additional optional criteria for escape protection from chemical flash fires encountered during hazardous materials incidents are also provided.

Changes in NFPA 1991 help fire service leaders and jurisdictions do more to protect personnel.

• Updated references throughout Chapter 2 reflect the latest companion NFPA, ANSI, ASTM, and ISO codes and standards.
• New requirements for the technical data package help ensure that the Vapor-Protective Ensembles for Hazardous Materials Emergencies and CBRN Terrorism Incidents meet the minimum threshold for protecting the user.
• Changes to glove and footwear requirements help ensure that all components -- not just the garment -- meet specific criteria for protecting the user.
• Changes and additions to labeling requirements and test methods are important for anyone responsible for quality control.
• Non-encapsulating protective clothing has been deleted from this Standard and will be addressed in NFPA 1994: Standard on Protective Ensembles for First Responders to CBRN Terrorism Incidents