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Categories


Welding Spark Test

Spray Test

UV Hoods for
Oil Spill Cleanup

Materials for Making
PPE Hoods

GS & UV Hoods

Biosafety & Surgical
Hoods

The
Critical Safety Issues
with Conventional PPE

Specs

VitaFlex's Hoods provide unique soft-stretch and breathable headcovering.  You may select our hoods with single or triple-layer structure to meet the purposes of contamination control, infection preventionprimary head/face/neck protection, or as a helmet liner

   

Hairnet

General Safety Hood

UV-Shield Hood

BioSafety Hood

Structure of the Hood

 Layer Composition

Basis Weight

1-layer: SMS

25   gsm

3-layer: S/S/S

55 gsm

3-layer: S/S/S

60 gsm

3-layer: SMS/S/SMS

70 gsm

 

 Uses

Contamination  

Control

Primary  

Head   Protection

Outdoor Work

Biohazards

Prevention

Thickness

 

0.12 mm

0.30 mm

0.32 mm

0.36 mm

∆P (mm H²O/cm²) 

MIL-M-36954C

< 1.5

< 2.5

< 3

< 4.5

Breathability - Perception

 

Normal - Very Cool

Normal - Very Cool

Normal - Cool

Normal - Cool

Hydrostatic (cm H²O)

AATCC Test Method 127 

12

20

27

32

Particle Filtration Efficiency 

 ASTM F2299 @0.1µm

-

80

75

> 90

Particle Shed Analysis 

Helmke Drum Particle Counts

585 of ≥0.3 µm

2,240 of ≥0.3 µm

-

1,850 of ≥0.3 µm

Blood Penetration Resistance

ASTM F1862 

No

No

No

Pass  at 80 mmHg

Liquid Barrier

 

-

-

 

Level 1

The physical   properties mentioned above represent typical values of the structure of soft-stretch hoods. These values   should not be considered as specification or certificate of material and or   specification values.

 

Polypropylene spunmelt nonwoven fabrics are made by fiber spinning technologies. They are the best materials selected for the combination of breathability and barrier functionality especially in making disposable apparel. They are a thin, yet dense, fiber-web structures with intertexture openings for air to flow through while maintaining particle filtration quality.

  • The filtration efficiency is the percentage (%) of particular size particles blocked by the fabric at a specified air-flow volume. The differential air pressure (∆P, mm H²O/cm²)on either side of the fabric, at a constant flow rate represents breathability. The lower ∆P is preferred for easier breathability. For example, the exhalation resistance of a NIOSH rated respirator is required to be less than 25 mm H²O/cm².  At required filtration efficiency, the thinnest fabric or the fabric having the highest breathability is the most desirable.
  • The uniformity of web formation is most critical in affecting the end-product quality assurance. The uniformity defect can be visually observed for having many sparse spots on the fabric especially the basis weight below 15 gram/m² (0.47 oz/yd²). In the US, only several advanced spunbond production lines can produce high uniformity fabrics at a low basis-weight. Usually, the price-per-pound for the high quality low basis-weight nonwovens is more expansive than that of high basis-weight ones.
  • In comparison, the impervious materials such as plastic film or Tyvek sheets are used for shielding against corrosive chemicals or liquids and organic solvents. The HAZMAT suits made of such materials should be equipped with an air-fed system to prevent the buildup of heat and humidity that causes uncomfortable anxiety or exhaustion to the wearer.

Our patented technology creates soft and stretchy fabrics from regular nonwovens.  They are latex-free, soft and silky to the touch, and highly stretchable with low retraction power. This enables our soft-stretch hoods to be form-fitting and stress-less to the wearer while maintaining their breathable barrier quality. Our precursor nonwovens are sourced from the most advanced production lines of major producers in the southeastern states. The conversion and manufacturing processes are done in Burlington, North Carolina.  

Our Soft-stretch Hoods provide a comfortable form-fit and full coverage of the entire head and neck. They are versatile for primary protection, contamination control, Infection prevention, or as a hygienic helmet linerTo achieve specific functionalities, the multiple-layer structure of our hoods is constructed with elastic fabrics, each having distinct characteristics such as fiber diameters, liquid repellency or absorbency, bi-components, UV shielding, or flame retardancy. Special manufacturing procedures for batch production can be made to meet ISO 5-7 cleanroom requirements.

The single-layer Hairnet is best basic contamination controlin pharmaceutical product packing, electronic assembky lines, and food manufacturing. It is made of our elastic non-woven fabric with S-M-S composite structure which has ultra-fine fibers and supreme uniformity of web formation. It provides maximum coverage for the hair and shields sources of human contamination in bakeries, dairy processing, meat packaging, and food manufacturing.  A small amount of static on the elastic fabric created in our manufacturing process also helps holding the hair particles inside the net.  It is also used as a liner for the hygienic purpose of testing on helmets or face shields.  The particle count of the Soft-stretch Hood complies within the IEST-RP-CC-003.4 Category I specs. There were 470 particles of 0.3 µm and larger released during the Helmke Drum Test.

The triple-layer Soft-stretch hoods for General Safety can effectively block airborne particles, dust, fibers, dirt, sparks, liquid splashes, and paint or chemical overspray Multiple Hoods can be layered to achieve a desired thickness for barrier effectiveness or wearing comfort as a helmet liner.

Since its debut in March 2010, millions of hoods have been embraced by professionals in Metal Fabrication (Welding, Cutting, Grinding, Polishing), Abrasive Blasting, Powder Coating, Pipeline Maintenance, Shipyards, Commercial Painting, Chemical Compounding, Drywall Spackling, Spray Foam Insulation and Roofing, Asphalt Paving, Power Washing, Demolition, Disaster Restoration, Asbestos & Lead Remediation, Pest Control, Dairy Farms, Poultry Farms, Slaughter Houses, Meat Processing, Waste Recycling, Landfills, Home Inspection, and many others.

There are two styles: Full-Cover and Open-Face. The Full-Cover version provides the maximum facial coverage and forms an air pocket around the nose and mouth and a tight fit around the wearer's eyes. The Open-Face version adds the flexibility of accommodating a respirator. Its face opening can be pulled down to cover the mouth and chin or just the chin.

There are two colors, White and Aqua-blue. The White hood is commonly used for chemical handling jobs such as pest control, powder coating, and spray foam.The pleasing Aqua-blue hoodis popularly used by metal fabricators and medical professionals, or people who simply do not like pale-white.

The particle count of the Soft-stretch Hood complies within the IEST-RP-CC-003.4 Category II specs. There were 1800 - 2,400 particles of 0.3 µm and larger released during the Helmke Drum Test. 

All soft-stretch hoods repels mist, fluids, and liquids to some degree due to the water-repellent characteristics of the polypropylene fibers from which it is made.  In an intensive spraying or wet environment, multiple hoods should be worn and the outer hood be replced if the moisture begins to seep through.

 

The UV-Shield Hoodsare engineered for outdoor works such as construction and tank coating. The black pigments and dense fiber-web structure provide excellent UV shielding in addition to its effective blocking of airborne debris, particles, and sparks.

The black hoods are great for winter or in cold temperatures.  The silver hoods have an outer layer constructed with shiny, silver-gray fibers to reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption.

 

% T UVA

% T UVB

Label UPF

Soft-stretch Black/ Silver Hood

1.39/ 1.82

1.20/ 1.47

40/ 40

The Polypropylene (PP) nonwoven fabric has melting point and ignition point of above 250 ͦF and 650 ͦF, respectively. It is recognized as a Class 1 flammability material which was determined by having a burn time of less than 3.5 seconds when subjected to a flame test. A further significant characteristic of PP nonwoven fabric is that it does not burn steadily in air; rather, it shrinks away from the ignition source.

In our internal testing, our hood was placed horizontally 12” beneath a welding spot for 1 minute. A welding rod of 1/8” diameter was used. The result showed more than three hundred (300) black dots on a 10” x 10” area in addition to thirty eight (38) burn marks of 0.5 -6 mm in length. However, there were no visible black dots or burn marks on the reverse side. It appeared that the sparks melted or burned the surface of the triple-layer structure, but they did not melt or burn through it. It is believable that VitaFlex’s Soft-stretch Hood will provide even more assurance in shielding the sparks when it is worn on the wearer’s head in a vertical position and the head is normally at a distance of farther than 12” from a welding spot.

Caution: Every work environment is different and may have significant effect on the hood’s performance. You should test our hood in your operations to confirm its safety before allowing your operator to wear it. Not to be used near flames or in an environment of above 200 ˚F.

Particles that are commonly of concern are listed below:

 

Average Size

Flu Virus

0.125 µm

VitaFlex Triple-layer Intertexture Opening

1-10 µm 

Smallest Bacteria

1 µm

Average Bacteria

3-10 µm

Smallest Pollen

6 µm

Average Flower Pollen

20 µm

Human Hair Thickness

25 µm

Knitted Spray Sock Interstitial Opening

10 -100 µm

 

VitaFlex's Biosafety Hood has a structure qualified as a Level 1 Fluid Barrier. It  is for scientists and technicians working in BSL-2&3 labs.  Its triple-layer structure is made from a special grade of latex-free elastic nonwoven fabrics with high-density ultrafine fibers to enhance the barrier effectiveness against bio-hazardous particulates. Its particle filtration efficiency (PFE) was 95% according to test method ASTM F2299.  

It is also used by medical professionals and healthcare workers for infection prevention. It can effectively block the airborne droplets and spit (from a patient's coughing or sneezing) and repel liquids or body fluids, which could be transferred from a patient.

The triple-layer structure of VitaFlex's Biosafety Hood is qualified as a Level 1 Fluid Barrier with resistance to synthetic blood penetration under 80 mm Hg, sprayed from a distance of 12" (30.5 cm) according to ASTM1862.   In internal testing, our Biosafety Hood exceeded the requirements for the Spray Impact test for AATCC 42. (The test was performed by positioning the hood at a 45° angle, 0.6 m below a spray head).  The water spray was repelled totally without penetrating or wetting its triple-layer fabric structure. In additional tests, when other liquids (bleach, coffee, milk, and orange juice) were placed in between two layers of its triple-layer fabric structure for over 5 minutes, the layers did not absorb the liquids.  It demonstrated that VitaFlex’s Biosafety Hood withstood the 45 degree challenge – a vertical position will provide even more assurance.

An individual Flu or Ebola virus is as small as 0.1µm. Even the N-99 face mask isn't guaranteed to block 100% of particulates this small. Fortunately, a disease virus does not fly at bullet-speed or maneuver like a mosquito to attack people. Rather, it is carried by airborne particles and spit (from a patient's coughing or sneezing), body fluid, or blood. It attaches onto any surface it comes in contact with and DOES NOT have the ability to penetrate or migrate through even a thin surface.   Unless there is a concern that a large volume of pressurized body fluids or blood would shoot out and spray on healthcare worker's head, there is no need to wrap the head with an impervious material.

VitaFlex's BioShield Hood is engineered with liquid/blood barrier functionality to protect medical professionals from direct splashes of infectious blood or body fluids. Its triple-layer structure is a combination of premium grades of elastic nonwoven composites. With its thickness of only 0.5 mm and a ∆P as low as 7 mm H²O/cm², it achieves 98% Viral Filtration Efficiency (VFE) and is qualified as a Level 3 Fluid Barrier with resistance to synthetic blood penetration under 160 mm Hg.

Please note: Our Hood is not a substitute for more effective control methods, and its use will be considered only when other means of protection against hazards are not adequate or feasible. It shall be used in conjunction with other controls unless no other means of hazard control exist.  Caution: VitaFlex’s Soft-Stretch Hood, Biosafety Hood, and BioShield Hood are NOT designed for respiratory protection and not for replacing a respirator or mask required by OSHA. Not for blocking organic solvent, toxic or bio-hazard gases, fumes, or vapors.  Not for blocking pressurized liquid and particles.  Not to be used near flames or in an environment of above 200 ˚F.