Laboratory service
IOM tests complete protective garments under representative exposure conditions, helping manufacturers understand performance and support product development, quality assurance and certification.
Service overview
Testing fabric alone does not show how a complete protective suit will perform. Seams, fastenings and connections between components can all affect the protection provided.
IOM tests the complete garment to identify potential weaknesses and our specialists provide clear evidence to support practical improvements.
Important information
Service availability notice: Following the relocation of our laboratory, whole-suit testing is temporarily unavailable while construction and commissioning work is completed. Our United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accreditation for these activities is currently suspended pending reassessment. Services will return individually as facilities are commissioned and accreditation is regained.
Whole-suit testing assesses the performance of the finished garment, rather than its individual materials alone.
A fabric may provide suitable resistance, but the complete suit can still be affected by:
Testing the whole garment provides clearer evidence of how these elements work together under representative conditions.
Why IOM
Our testing provides quantitative and qualitative evidence about how the complete garment performs.
The results can support:
You receive clear test data, observations from the assessment and practical technical feedback.
Practical support
Selecting the wrong test can add cost and delay without providing the evidence you need. We work with you to understand the garment, its intended use and the hazards it is designed to protect against.
Our support can include:
This gives you more than a test result. It gives you evidence you can use to improve the garment and support informed decisions.
Protective clothing is the final layer of defence within the hierarchy of control. It should support—not replace—measures that prevent or control exposure at source.
These may include:
IOM’s workplace protection specialists can assess whether exposure is being effectively controlled and help you manage the wider workplace risk.
Why IOM
IOM combines laboratory testing with occupational hygiene, human factors and workplace risk-management expertise.
We work with manufacturers, certification bodies and end users to provide:
Technical standards
| Protection type | Performance assessed | Whole-suit test | Test method | Performance requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 3 | Liquid-tight protection against jets | Resistance to penetration by a jet of liquid | BS EN ISO 17491-3:2008 | BS EN 14605:2005+A1:2009 |
| Type 4 | Liquid-tight protection against spray | High-level heavy spray test | BS EN ISO 17491-4:2008+A1:2016, Method B – Heavy Spray (withdrawn) | BS EN 14605:2005+A1:2009 |
| Type 5 | Particle-tight protection against solids | Total inward leakage of fine-particle aerosols | BS EN ISO 13982-2:2004 | BS EN ISO 13982-1:2004+A1:2010 |
| Type 6 | Limited protection against liquid chemicals | Low-level spray or mist test | BS EN ISO 17491-4:2008+A1:2016, Method A – Light Spray (withdrawn) | BS EN 13034:2005+A1:2009 |
| BS EN 1073-2:2002 | Protection against particulate radioactive contamination | Total inward leakage and determination of nominal protection factor | BS EN ISO 13982-2:2004 | BS EN 1073-2:2002 |
Talk to our specialists
Tell us about the garment, its intended use and the evidence you require. Our specialists will help you identify the appropriate testing approach and advise on current service availability.
What you receive
Get practical advice for your organisation.
Tell us what you need to achieve and your enquiry will be directed to the most appropriate team.
Speak to an expert
