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

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

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

This protective suit consists of three basic components – the garment, the face mask and the filter-ventilation unit. The garment 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 is manufactured by Gumárny Zubří a.s. The filter-ventilation unit and the 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 distributor. Two corrugated hoses are connected to the distributor. One supplies breathing air to the protective mask, whilst the other supplies air for ventilating the suit to the inner layer. Air is forced into the distributor by a fan with its own power source. At present, this suit is intended for use by the army, for which it was originally developed. That is why it is green in colour. 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 earlier 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 has a similar resistance to chemicals as the OPCH-90.

Description of the garment:
• The one-piece coverall is permanently attached to a 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 incorporated into the back of the hood. Further exhalation valves (there are 7 in total on the coverall) are fitted at the lower ends of the sleeves and legs, and on the back and abdominal section 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 fitted with galoshes. On the left-hand 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 has been 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 designed for a blunt pin. Two fastening clips with holes for securing to a blunt pin are fitted to each leg, one in the instep area and the other below the knee. Ventilation air is supplied to the interior of the coverall via a distributor fitted to the rear left side of the coverall. 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 inlet of the distributor 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, separate underwear made from a single-component knitted fabric, and undersleeves made from an integrated knitted fabric. The garment is also supplemented by a cotton cooling coverall; wetting this and pulling it over the coverall can extend the length of time the user can remain in the garment. 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, possessing the appropriate protective properties for the hazardous substance in question. As the suit material may become 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 it, or by wearing a moistened cooling cover.

Clear-air Military filter-ventilation unit:
• A high-performance respiratory unit for professional use in the armed forces, 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 wear time of the suit by more than five times. The filter-ventilation unit may also be used in environments where the oxygen content exceeds 17 per cent. If the oxygen content is insufficient, a breathing apparatus must be used.

Characteristics of the filter-ventilation unit:
• This unit was designed primarily with comfort, reliability and acceptability in mind: - its flexible design conforms to the shape of the body in all positions - the unit is very narrow (flat) in profile, the width corresponds to the diameter of the filters – the portable filter-ventilation unit allows for ideal positioning and can be adjusted by quickly moving the buckles - the airflow can be adjusted using a large control knob on the underside – easy to operate even whilst wearing gloves - a high-quality brushless motor ensures the blower fan’s 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 pipework and hoses are made from bromobutyl rubber and are resistant to nuclear, biological and chemical agents.

Filter element:
• The unit is fitted with replaceable filters with an RD40x17” connecting screw in accordance with EN 148-1. The breathing apparatus must be fitted with a suitable NBC filter before use. 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 to accommodate seven filters of the same type. A unique design system allows the unit to be adapted to accommodate 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, when used in conjunction with a suitable NBC filter, a filter-ventilation unit or an IDP, protects the eyes, face and respiratory system against toxic, radioactive, biological and chemical warfare agents in the form of gases, vapours, and 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 agents, as well as to thermal and atmospheric ageing. On the inside, it is fitted 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 per cent speech intelligibility. The design of the OM-90 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 system, when used in conjunction with a field bottle and a special stopper, enables safe fluid intake even in contaminated environments. The filter, filter-ventilation unit or IDP can be connected on 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 inhalation chamber stopper is screwed on 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 per cent by volume, in areas with explosion hazard class SNV 1, and it meets all the requirements of EN 136 for Class 3. Gumárny Zubří a.s. offers filters for these masks, which are designed to capture harmful substances from the passing air. Depending on the type of contaminants, it is necessary to select the appropriate type of filter – gas filter, particle filter or a combined filter.

Goods that have been in long-term storage and are past their expiry date, with no guarantee of functionality for their original purpose. The OM-90 mask is not included in the product packaging.

Size chart