Firehouse Labs: Ansell AlphaTec Hazmat Suit

When Firehouse Magazine asked us to review the AlphaTec™ PHANTOM suit by Ansell, we agreed—with one important caveat: This would be a completely unbiased evaluation. The Nashville Fire Department (NFD) currently has no Ansell products in its cache, and no one on staff has any affiliation with the company. A captain at HazMat 13 spent the day putting the suit through its paces.

The AlphaTec™ PHANTOM Level B suit for CBRN response is reusable. The suit is PFAS free, for added responder safety. It comes in a front-entry version (Type T) and a rear entry version (Type TR). The NFD tested the Type T.

First impressions

The AlphaTec™ PHANTOM suit is noticeably heavier than the Level B suits that we typically operate in. Think: More linebacker than sprinter. The added weight is immediately apparent when you first pick it up. It isn’t flimsy or fabric-light; it has a bulk and density that suggests durability and protection for the user. Once it’s on, the suit fits well and moves surprisingly smoothly. Articulation in the joints allows for decent mobility, and the mask seal is snug without being suffocating, which always is a win in our book.

The suit’s material (the outer is polyamide fabric that’s coated with chloroprene rubber; the inner is chloroprene rubber with multilayer barrier laminate) feels more like a reinforced plastic than a woven fabric, which gives it a sense of ruggedness. The suit feels like something that’s built to last, and that isn’t a knock. The overall impression is that the suit was designed with serious protection in mind, even if it sacrifices a bit of agility.

Donning the suit

The zipper runs diagonally across the body, which makes getting into the suit the first time that you don it feel a bit like solving a puzzle. After a few rounds of donning and doffing, it got easier, possibly because the suit was breaking in.

It’s worth noting that the suit comes with a “lube kit” for the zipper, similar to what you would use on a dry suit. We didn’t use it during our initial testing, but we suspect that it would have made a difference. If the zipper continues to feel stiff or awkward, applying the lubricant might smooth things out. Still, we’d prefer a more straightforward zipper path in future iterations.

Suspenders and gloves

The suspenders are a highlight of the AlphaTec™ PHANTOM. They’re comfortable, easy to adjust and well placed. Once dialed in, they help to distribute the suit’s weight more evenly, which makes a big difference during extended wear. Mounted on the inside of the suit, the suspenders are unobtrusive, and the design choice pays off in comfort.

The wrist design also is worth mentioning. The hard collar makes glove entry a breeze. The gloves are detachable, which made the donning process a little tricky.

The gloves attach via a small plastic clip and an O-ring in the collar. Removing them is simple: Pop the clip, twist, and off they go. Reattaching them, however, requires precision. The O-ring must be inspected before every deployment and during reassembly, and it’s crucial not to pinch or damage it.

At 2 p.m., that’s manageable. At 2 a.m., when you’re suiting up in low light and under pressure, it’s a potential challenge. The detachable glove system is a nice addition, but training is needed to put the gloves on effectively.

In a look at Ansell’s other Class B suits, Ansell offers various zipper placements in the front or back. There are multiple donning and doffing and glove connections, suitable for the responder’s needs.

Final thoughts

Overall, we like the suit. It’s solid, functional and well designed in many areas. By functional, we mean that it’s clear that a lot of thought went into making the suit user-friendly and safe. The AlphaTec™ PHANTOM checks many of the boxes that we look for in hazmat gear, earning the Firehouse Labs seal of approval.