CBRN Special Application

The increased threat from terrorist activities has led to a need for Respiratory Protective Devices (RPD) suitable for emergency responders. The hazards posed by CBRN threats necessitate requirements additional to those of basic RPD. CBRN RPD is intended for rescue, evacuation, escape, hazard containment, decontamination and related activities by emergency responders (fire, ambulance, police and associated civilian agencies and workers) in response to CBRN release events.

CBRN is an acronym meaning chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear.

  • C- Chemical: Chemical gases, vapours and particles of chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial materials.
  • B- Biological: Biological agent particles such as microorganisms or toxin products.
  • R- Radiological: Radioactive particles such as particles carrying alpha or beta radioactive isotopes dispersed by various means such as a radiological dispersive device, also known as a “dirty bomb”.
  • N- Nuclear: Radioactive material such as the radioactive particles transported/dispersed from a detonation involving a nuclear reactor/fuel, a nuclear weapon, or a nuclear weapon’s component or component precursor.

NOTE Protection afforded against the thermal, blast, and electromagnetic pulse, effects of an improvised nuclear device or a nuclear weapon detonation are beyond the scope of this definition from SA/SNZ TS ISO 16973:2023.

National guidance may exist to provide the definition of a CBRN event and/or provides guidance regarding respiratory protective device selection criteria for use in such events. Familiarity with such guidance should be ensured prior to respiratory selection. All requirements for selection of RPD established in the rest of the selection process must be followed with respect to the selection of CBRN RPD (including determination of filtering or supplied breathable gas requirements, work rate and minimum protection class).

Reference/s for further information and detail:

  • SA/SNZ TS ISO 16975.1:2023 – Selection, use and maintenance – Section 7.3.3.12.3
  • SA/SNZ TS ISO 16973:2023 – Classification – Section 11.3 and Annex C
  • SA/SNZ TS ISO 17420.8:2023 – CRBN Filtering RPD
  • SA/SNZ TS ISO 17420.9:2023 – CBRN Supplied Breathable Air RPD