Ventilated chemical protective suit OPCH-05, complete, model 95

Ventilated chemical protective suit OPCH-05, complete, model 95

The OPCH-05 is a fully sealed, positive-pressure suit providing a high level of protection against life-threatening environments containing chemical substances of unknown composition in both liquid and gaseous phases, including aerosols

This protective suit consists of three basic components – the garment, a face mask and a filter-ventilation unit. The garment section is manufactured by ECOprotect spol. s r.o. in Zlín, the filter-ventilation unit for the garment is manufactured by MALINA - Safety s.r.o. in Jablonec nad Nisou, and the face mask by Gumárny Zubří a.s. The filter-ventilation unit and protective face mask are located on the outside of the garment. The filter-ventilation unit is positioned on the back. Filtered air is distributed from this unit via a manifold. Two corrugated hoses are connected to the manifold. One supplies breathing air to the protective mask, whilst the other supplies air for garment ventilation to the undergarment section. Air is forced into the distributor by a fan with its own power source. Currently, this suit is intended for use by the military, for whom it was originally developed. That is why it is green. Different colours would be used for civilian applications. The OPCH-05 can also be used in a non-ventilated version without the filter-ventilation unit. This suit was developed on the basis of the previous OPCH-90 positive-pressure suit, which, in combination with a filter-ventilation unit, was used by the military in the 1990s. It is also made of butyl rubber and its chemical resistance is similar to that of the OPCH-90.

Description of the garment:
• The one-piece coverall is firmly attached to the hood, which incorporates a sealing face cuff for the OM-90 protective mask, which is worn over the suit. An exhalation valve with a rubberised fabric cover is built into the back of the hood. Further exhalation valves (there are a total of 7 on the coverall) are built into the lower parts of the sleeves and legs, and on the back and front of the coverall. These valves can be sealed with rubber plugs when using the OPCH-05 in the non-ventilated version. The legs of the coverall are finished with gaiters. On the left side of the suit, from the top of the head down to the knee, there is a gas-tight zip, which is covered along its entire length by a rubberised fabric cover fastened with Velcro. Rubber gloves are pulled over the undergloves after the thumb is secured in the sleeve loop; these are then pulled over a plastic sleeve ring, over which the outer sleeve cuff made of rubberised fabric is folded. The connection is secured with a fastening clip on a blunt pin. Two fastening clips with holes for attachment to a blunt pin are fitted to each leg, one in the instep area and the other below the knee. Ventilation air is fed into the interior of the suit via a distributor fitted to the rear left side of the suit. Air distribution tubes are fitted onto the distributor’s six circular outlets. The tubes are secured in place within the suit by loops built into the inner lining of the suit. The distributor’s inlet can be sealed with a plastic plug when using the non-ventilated version. The OPCH-05 garment set also includes nappy-style trousers for urine absorption during prolonged wear, split underwear made from single-layer knitted fabric, and undergarment gloves made from integrated knitted fabric. The garment section is also supplemented by a cotton cooling cover; by wetting this and pulling it over the coverall, the user’s time in the garment can be extended. When operating in an environment containing chemical substances, if the ventilated version is used, the filter-ventilation unit must be fitted with filters of the same type and with appropriate protective properties for the hazardous substance in question. Due to the possibility of the suit material becoming electrostatically charged, it must not be used in potentially explosive atmospheres. This issue can be addressed by moistening the surface of the suit, e.g. by spraying, or by using a moistened cooling cover.

Clear-air Military filter-ventilation unit
• A high-performance respiratory unit for professional use in the military, specifically designed for NATO chemical squads. A derivative version is intended for emergency services, and the chemical and petrochemical industries. The FVJ enhances the comfort of a sealed chemical protective suit with a full-face mask. The supplied air is fed into the gas mask and the protective suit, thereby ensuring ventilation of the suit. Ventilation extends the wearability of the suit by more than five times. The FVJ can also be used in environments where the oxygen content exceeds 17%. If the oxygen content is insufficient, a breathing apparatus must be used.

Characteristics of the filter-ventilation unit:
• This unit was designed with particular emphasis on comfort, reliability and acceptability: - its flexible construction conforms to the body’s shape in all positions - the unit is very narrow (flat) in profile, the width corresponds to the diameter of the filters - the portable FVJ allows for ideal positioning and can be adjusted by quickly sliding the buckles - the airflow can be adjusted using a large control knob on the underside – easy to operate even when wearing gloves - a high-quality brushless motor gives the blower fan its very high efficiency and long service life. The blower fan is powered by rechargeable and replaceable 16.8V/4.5 Ah NiMH batteries. The breathing unit complies with STANAG and MIL military standards. Decontamination by showering is possible; the breathing unit has an IP65 rating. The plastic pipes and hoses are made of butyl rubber and are resistant to nuclear, biological and chemical agents.
Filter element:
• The unit is equipped with replaceable filters with an RD40x17” connecting screw in accordance with EN 148-1. The FVJ must be fitted with a suitable NBC filter before operation. Compared to standard filters, this one is designed for a higher air flow rate. The filter complies with the applicable standards EN 12941 and EN 12942 and is classified as A2B2E2K1P3. The NBC filter provides protection against chemical warfare agents and also captures toxins such as ammonia and amines. Filters for non-military use can be selected according to the type of contamination from the range of chemical filters on offer.
• The unit in its standard configuration is designed for seven filters of the same type. A unique design system allows the unit to be adapted to different numbers of filters. Depending on the type of protective suit and the type of contamination, it is possible to select a modified unit with five or three filter elements.
OM-90 protective face mask:
• The manufacturer recommends using the OM-90 mask with the OPCH-05 suit. This mask, in combination with a suitable NBC filter, filter-ventilation unit or IDP, serves to protect the eyes, face and respiratory organs against toxic, radioactive, biological and chemical agents used in the form of gases, vapours, solid and liquid aerosols.
• Description: The mask’s facepiece is made of bromobutyl rubber, which is characterised by exceptional resistance to the penetration of toxic substances, as well as to thermal and atmospheric ageing. On the inside, it is finished with a face cuff, which forms the mask’s sealing line, ensuring a tight fit against the face and extending physiological comfort. Physiological comfort is also enhanced by low pressure losses during inhalation and exhalation. The inner mask reduces user fatigue during physical exertion and minimises fogging of the visor in cold weather. The acoustic insert ensures at least 95% speech intelligibility. The OM-90 design allows for the correction of refractive errors using a spectacle insert inside the facepiece and is compatible with basic optical devices, including the CLARA night-vision device. The fluid intake device, when used in conjunction with a field bottle and a special stopper, allows for safe fluid intake even in contaminated environments. The filter, filter-ventilation unit, or IDP can be connected from the right or left side by screwing it into the inhalation chamber. For the second chamber without a filter, it is necessary to check that the plug of the inhalation chamber is screwed in and tightened. The appropriate filter must be selected according to the type and concentration of contaminants. The mask with a filter can be used in environments where the oxygen content in the air does not fall below 17% by volume, in areas with an SNV 1 explosion hazard rating, and meets all requirements of EN 136 for Class 3. Gumárny Zubří a.s. offers filters for these masks, which are designed to capture contaminants from the passing air. Depending on the type of contaminants, it is necessary to select the appropriate type of filter for gases or particles, or a combined filter.

Long-term stored goods with expired shelf life.