Chemical Coverall Types 3, 4, 5 and 6
A disposable coverall keeps dust and liquid off skin and clothes, but they are not all built for the same job. European standards sort chemical protective clothing into Types, from gas-tight suits down to limited splash protection, and the Type printed on the label says which exposure it was tested against.
Category III and the Type system
DuPont describes Category III as protective clothing intended to protect against serious or fatal risks. Within that, chemical protective clothing is labelled by Type. Types 1 and 2 are gas-tight and non-gas-tight suits. Types 3 to 6 cover liquid jets, sprays, dust and light splash.
Safe Work Australia's chemicals code lists overalls and aprons as PPE, and says PPE must be suitable for the nature of the work and any hazard associated with it.
What each Type protects against
DuPont's label table sets out each Type and its standard. Type 3 is liquid tight, for exposure to a pressurised jet of liquid, and Type 4 is spray tight, for an unpressurised liquid spray aerosol. Both come under EN 14605. Type 5 covers solid airborne particulates under EN ISO 13982-1. Type 6 is limited protection against liquid chemicals under EN 13034, for small quantities of fine spray or mist or accidental low volume splashes, where the wearer can act quickly if contaminated.
| Type | Exposure | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Type 3 | Pressurised jet of liquid (liquid tight) | EN 14605 |
| Type 4 | Unpressurised liquid spray aerosol (spray tight) | EN 14605 |
| Type 5 | Solid airborne particulates | EN ISO 13982-1 |
| Type 6 | Fine spray, mist or low volume splashes (limited) | EN 13034 |
Dust and light splash: Types 5 and 6
DuPont's instructions for the Tyvek 500 Xpert say it meets EN ISO 13982-1 (Type 5) and EN 13034 (Type 6), and is typically used for fine particles and limited liquid splashes or sprays. They also say stitched seams do not offer a barrier to permeation of liquids, and that some intensive sprays and splashes may need a coverall with higher barrier properties.
Liquid chemicals: Types 3 and 4
DuPont's data sheet lists the Tychem 2000 C as chemical protective clothing, Category III, Type 3-B, 4-B, 5-B and 6-B, with stitched and over-taped seams. In fabric tests it resisted penetration by sulphuric acid (30%) and sodium hydroxide (10%).
The same data sheet shows many solvents breaking through the fabric immediately, and says breakthrough time is not the same as safe wear time. Check the maker's permeation data for each chemical against its Safety Data Sheet, as covered on PPE for dangerous goods classes.
Taping, sizing and limits
DuPont's Tyvek 500 Xpert instructions say a full face mask tightly connected to the hood, plus taping around the hood, cuffs, ankles and zipper flap, are required to achieve the claimed protection. They also say the coverall is not flame resistant and should not be used around heat, open flame, sparks or in potentially flammable environments.
Sizing is by body measurement. DuPont's instructions say to check your body measurements and select the correct size from the chest girth and body height chart.
Aprons and boots
Coveralls are often worn with other items. In a Safe Work Australia case study on mixing a pesticide concentrate, the controls already in place were gauntlet rubber gloves, a PVC apron, gumboots and a face shield, and the assessment still recommended reducing exposure. The Ansell AlphaTec PVC apron and Bata Jobmaster 2 PVC gumboot are in the protective clothing range, with gloves on the chemical gloves page and eye protection on the safety glasses and face shields page.
The gear we stock
Signs for the same area
Common questions
What is the difference between Type 5 and Type 6 coveralls?
Type 5 is protection against solid airborne particulates under EN ISO 13982-1. Type 6 is limited protection against liquid chemicals under EN 13034, for fine spray, mist or accidental low volume splashes.
What does Type 3 mean on a coverall?
Type 3 is liquid tight protective clothing against liquid chemicals, for exposure to a pressurised jet of liquid, under EN 14605.
What does Type 4 mean on a coverall?
Type 4 is spray tight protective clothing against liquid chemicals, for exposure to an unpressurised liquid spray aerosol, under EN 14605.
What does Category III mean for protective clothing?
DuPont describes Category III as protective clothing intended to protect against serious or fatal risks.
Do disposable coveralls need taping?
DuPont's instructions for Tyvek 500 Xpert say taping around the hood, cuffs, ankles and zipper flap is required to achieve the claimed protection.
Related guides
Sources
- DuPont Personal Protection, The HSE Manager's Guide to Protective Garments for Pharmaceutical Applications (Table 1: Know Your Labels)
- Safe Work Australia, Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace (2023)
- DuPont Personal Protection, Tyvek 500 Xpert Instructions for Use
- DuPont Personal Protection, Tychem 2000 C Technical Data Sheet
Checked against the sources above on 2026-10-21.
General information, not advice for your site. What protection a job needs comes from the Safety Data Sheet, the task and your risk assessment. The statements on this page are taken from the sources listed below and were checked on the date shown. Check the source, or ask your regulator.
Which coverall do your chemicals call for?
ChemMan, from Lupin Systems, keeps your safety data sheets in one place and works out the signage and the PPE from what you store.