Levels of protection of haz mat suits

Hazardous material suits or hazmat suits can be used for many different kinds of hazardous materials but it is important to make sure that you are using the proper suit for the mess you are cleaning up. The levels of protection range from A to D, with A as the highest level and D as the lowest.


An A level hazmat suit is used to protect you from gases, mists and participles. These suits are completely closed up and have a breathing apparatus that is worn under the suit and a two way radio within the suit. This level of suit is meant for extremely hazardous materials and is the safest to wear.

B level suits are used to protect against splashes of hazardous material. They too have a breathing apparatus and full suit but the breathing apparatus is worn on the outside making it useless when it comes to particle protection. Level B suits generally come as separate pieces and secure together so you are protected from splashes getting into the suit. To classify as a B level suit it has to have a two-way radio and chemical resistant gloves to be worn.

Level C suits are similar to those of level B but they have a few small differences. The first is that to classify as a level C suit it does not require the same respiratory protection equipment as the A and B suits making this suit ineffective in an oxygen deficient atmosphere and should only be used if the concentration of the hazardous material is measured and not airborne.

The lowest level hazmat suit is the D level suit. This suit does not protect against chemical exposure and should only be used if you are not going to be coming into contact with the chemical. This suit is just a coverall garment, steel toe chemical resistant shoes and pants. Imagine a firefighter's gear, they are considered level D hazmat suits.