Respirator is used to protect the wearer from inhaling hazardous atmosphere.
- Gases
- Vapours
- Particles (dusts, aerosols, mists, droplets, fumes, airborne microorganisms etc.)
Respirator types based on the usage:
1- Disposable
2- Reusable
- with particle filter
- with gas and vapour cartridge
- with powered or supplied air system
Respirator physical forms:
1- Half face (half mask): for lower half of face and covers nose, mouth and chin and is suitable only for particles.
2- Full face (full face piece): it convers entire face (nose, mouth, eyes and face skin) and is suitable for gases, vapours and particles
3- Tight fitting face piece
4- Loose fitting face piece (hood or helmet)
Respirator types:
1- APR (Air Purifying Respirator): equipped with filter, cartridge or canister
2- PAPRs (Powered Air Purifying Respirators) or Positive Pressure Respirator: APR equipped with battery powered blower to pull the air.
PAPRs components are as below:
- Headgear
- Cartridge or filter
- Breathing tube
- Motor blower
- Battery
- Charger
- Belt
3- Supplied Air Respirator: equipped with an alternative air supply source
4- SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus): with its own breathing air supply for IDLH (immediately dangerous to life and health) environment which user must carry a tank filled with clean air.
5- Combination supplied air and SCBA
Related standards:
- NIOSH
- EN 149
- NFPA 1404
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