1.1* Scope. A.1.1 Organizations responsible for specialized functions including, but not limited to, wildland fire fighting, proximity fire fighting, and other specialized fire fighting, emergency medical service, special operations, and hazardous materials response should use appropriate protective clothing and protective equipment specifically designed for those activities. 1.1.1 This standard shall specify the minimum design, performance, testing, and certification requirements for structural fire fighting protective ensembles and ensemble elements that include coats, trousers, coveralls, helmets, gloves, footwear, and interface components. 1.1.2 This standard shall specify the minimum design, performance, testing, and certification requirements for proximity fire fighting protective ensembles and ensemble elements that include coats, trousers, coveralls, helmets, gloves, footwear, and interface components. 1.1.3* This standard shall also specify additional optional requirements for structural fire fighting protective ensembles and proximity fire fighting protective ensembles that will provide limited protection from specified chemicals, biological agents, and radiological particulates (CBRN) terrorism agents. A.1.1.3 While separate requirements are specified for structural fire fighting and proximity fire fighting protective elements, the optional CBRN requirements apply to ensembles only. Individual elements cannot be separately certified to the optional CBRN criteria in this standard. Only complete ensembles, in which all necessary elements are specified to achieve the stated performance requirements, can be certified to the optional CBRN criteria in this standard. 1.1.3.1* This standard shall establish requirements for a single exposure wearing of protective ensembles for limited protection from specified CBRN terrorism agents. A.1.1.3.1 Users are cautioned that exposure of ensembles to CBRN terrorism agents should require disposal, particularly if the effectiveness of decontamination cannot be assessed. 1.1.4 This standard shall specify requirements for new structural fire fighting protective ensembles, new proximity fire fighting protective ensembles, or new elements for both ensembles. 1.1.5* This standard shall not specify requirements for any accessories that could be attached to the certified product, but are not necessary for the certified product to meet the requirements of this standard. A.1.1.5 Fire and emergency response organizations are cautioned that accessories are not a part of the certified product but could be attached to the certified product by a means not engineered, manufactured, or authorized by the manufacturer. Fire and emergency response organizations are cautioned that if the accessory or its means of attachment causes the structural integrity of the certified product to be compromised, the certified product might not comply with the standard for which it was designed, manufactured, and marketed. Additionally, if the accessory or its attachment means are not designed and manufactured from materials suitable for the hazardous environments of emergency incidents, the failure of the accessory or its attachment means could cause injury to the emergency responder. Because the aftermarket for certified product accessories is so broad, fire and emergency response organizations are advised to contact both the manufacturer of the accessory and the manufacturer of the certified product and verify that the accessory and its means of attachment are suitable for use in the intended emergency response environment. Fire and emergency response organizations should seek and receive written documentation from both the accessory manufacturer and the manufacturer of the certified product to validate the following information: (1) The accessory for a certified product, and its attachment method, will not degrade the designed protection or performance of the certified product below the requirements of the product standard to which it was designed, manufactured, tested, and certified. (2) The accessory, when properly attached to the certified product, shall not interfere with the operation or function of the certified product, or with the operation or function of any of the certified product’s component parts. Users are also cautioned that the means of attachment of the accessory that fail to safely and securely attach the accessory to the certified product can cause the accessory to be inadvertently dislodged from the certified product and create a risk to the wearer or other personnel in the vicinity. 1.1.6 Other than for the certification of structural or proximity protective ensembles to the optional CBRN requirements, this standard shall not specify the respiratory protection that is necessary for proper protection with both protective ensembles. 1.1.7 Certification of compliant structural fire fighting protective ensembles, compliant proximity fire fighting protective ensembles, and compliant elements of both ensembles to the requirements of this standard shall not preclude certification to additional appropriate standards where the ensemble or ensemble element meets all the applicable requirements of each standard. 1.1.8 This standard shall not be construed as addressing all of the safety concerns associated with the use of compliant protective ensembles or ensemble elements. It shall be the responsibility of the persons and organizations that use compliant protective ensembles or ensemble elements to establish safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.1.9 This standard shall not be construed as addressing all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with the use of this standard by testing facilities. It shall be the responsibility of the persons and organizations that use this standard to conduct testing of protective ensembles or ensemble elements to establish safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to using this standard for any designing, manufacturing, and testing. 1.1.10 Nothing herein shall restrict any jurisdiction or manufacturer from exceeding these minimum requirements.