Powered air purifying respirators is the highest level of filtration respiratory protection. Unlike classic gas masks, they are positive pressure devices. This, It means that the respiratory effort is lower because it is done by the motor, not the user, by constantly sending a stream of filtered air to the face piece (mask, hood, welding curtain). Therefore, devices difficult, tiring, long-term work It is better to use it for interventions in high temperature environments.

Classic respirators with motorized air purification

Powered air-purifying respirators are more elaborate filtering respiratory protection devices. They consist of a face piece (mask, hood, welding shield), one or more respiratory protection filters (particulate, anti-gas or combined), a light motor and a ring hose. A motorized fan delivers filtered air directly to the facepiece through the corrugated hose, resulting in a lower respiratory effort. The main advantage of a positive pressure filtration respiratory protection system is the reduction in respiratory effort.

Recently, many manufacturers of motorized ventilation equipment have offered ALL-IN-ONE systems in which the motor, battery and filter are attached directly to the head, thus avoiding any devices worn on the belt (cables, hoses, motors or batteries) for maximum freedom of movement and without the risk of snagging. The two manufacturers offer this unique and very useful type of equipment, which is compatible with other personal protective equipment (welding helmets, hazmat suits, fall arrest harnesses, etc.) such as CleanSpace masks or Gentex ventilated helmets.

In standard or ALL-IN-ONE versions, the powered air purifiers are recommended for strenuous, strenuous and long-term work or interventions in hot environments. Moreover, the excess pressure generated in these filtering devices with assisted ventilation guarantees a much higher nominal protection factor than in a classic gas mask.

ATEX supported air purification equipment

ATEX supported air purifiers are designed for explosion-risk environments where flammable gases, vapors or dust are potentially present. They are popular in refineries, gas pipelines, storage tanks (solvents, alcohols, dyes), printing plants, chemical and pharmaceutical industries or mining.

a In this case, together with the AX-P2 filter, the CleanSpace Ex ATEX PAPR mask is currently the only ATEX powered respirator capable of filtering VOCs! Provides effective protection against fine solid or liquid particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from solvents with boiling points of 65°C or lower, such as acetone, methanol or methyl bromide.

Hoods and powered air-purifying respirators

PAPR hoods

Hoods are manufactured from a flexible material that is resistant to certain corrosive gases. It covers the entire head and has a wide field of vision. Motorized air purifying hoods feature an air distribution device for greater comfort.

Motorized air purifying masks

Powered air-purifying respirators are the face mask of choice when pollutant concentrations exceed 40 times the OEL (8-hour occupational exposure limit). The air sent from the powered air-purifying respirator reaches directly close to the respiratory tract and prevents the eye mucous membranes from drying out.

The filtration performance of powered air-purifying respirators depends on the tightness of the entire device (facepiece, motor, and filter). A letter (heading family) associated with a number (the tightness level of the powered ventilation device) indicates these.

Tightness is measured as the percentage of “contaminant gas” leaking into the facepiece. “Polluting particles” are designated by the letters PSL (for solid and liquid particles) without specifying an efficiency class:

TH (Turbo Hood) for hood type face pieces

TH1 stops 90% of aerosols (i.e. 10% penetration)
Stops 98% of TH2 aerosols (i.e. 2% penetration)
Stops 99.8% (i.e. 0.2% penetration) of TH3 aerosols

TM (Turbo Mask) for face parts such as a mask or half mask

TM1 stops 95% of aerosols (i.e. 5% penetration)
TM2 stops 99.5% of aerosols (i.e. 0.5% penetration)
TM3 stops 99.95% of aerosols (i.e. 0.05% penetration)

⇒ For motorized air cleaners respiratory protection filter find

Usage limits of powered air purifying respirators

Never use filtering respiratory protection in the following situations:

Ambient oxygen level < 19%
In confined spaces or in all areas with little or no ventilation: tanks, tunnels, boat holds, etc.
If the concentration of the pollutant is unknown or immediately lethal to humans (IDLH)
When the concentration of the pollutant is above the maximum allowable concentration or beyond the capacity of the filter

In such cases, self-contained breathing apparatus will need to be used.