When should you use an Air-Fed Respirator?
Protecting yourself from harmful chemicals, dusts, gases, paints, and solvents — whether they’re in the air or come into contact with your skin — is a fundamental rule for any project, whether its is DIY, trade, industrial or agricultural work environments.
There’s a wide variety of RPE (Respiratory Protective Equipment) options out there, ranging from simple dust masks to full battery powered air supplied helmets. In this month’s blog, we’re talking about air-fed respirators.
What is an air-fed respirator?
An air-fed respirator is a type of respiratory protective equipment that delivers a continuous supply of clean, filtered, and pressurised air directly to the wearer via a comfortable face visor or hood.
In addition to purifying the air, this pressure provides a cooling sensation within the hood, significantly reducing or eliminating fogging and resulting in a better and more pleasant user experience.
The two main types of these respirators are powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) and supplied-air respirators (SARs). They offer different levels of protection, and you should choose the most suitable option based on your intended use.
Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs)
PAPRs use a battery-powered unit to supply filtered air at optimal pressure through an attached mask. Ideal for use with facial hair, they’re loose-fitting (and therefore don’t require fit testing) — and they effectively protect against the likes of dust, gas, and vapour when equipped with the right filter.
PAPRs are available in a variety of head coverings, including welding helmets, nylon hoods, grinding and sanding masks, bump caps, and hardhats. They can be used in a wide range of applications but aren’t suitable for isocyanates or similar high-risk environments.
With a ever increasing range to choose from you are spoiled for choice with battery powered units
Fully Integrated Helmet
This system includes a hard hat, face visor, power source and filtration system in one unit the JSP Powercap Infinity is a premium option in this style.
Providing positive air pressure the Powercap infinity removes the need for fit testing and supplies a cool, comfortable supply of filtered air eliminating breathing resistance and visor misting.
Full Face Shield With Independent Power Source
This system incorporates the power source and filtration unit into a belt that is worn around the waist, with an air hose that runs up the users back too a full face shield.
There are multiple options with this style including the Optrel Clearmaxx and Jet Stream models.
Respirator With Independent Power Source
The Optrel Swiss Air is setting new standards in flexibility, the power source and filtration is built into a slimline, light weight back pack which supplies clean filtered air to a mouth piece only. You can wear this with glasses, face shield, welding helmet, hard hat - whatever you need to wear it with
View the full range of PAPRs here
Supplied-Air Respirators (SARs)
SARs offer face, eye, head, hearing, and respiratory protection for extremely hazardous or poorly ventilated environments. These respirators source the air from an independent air compressor located outside the hazard area, sending to your respirator through a hose and purifying it via a series of filters in the airline.
This is the ultimate form of protection and can be used even in the most demanding situations, including spraying isocyanates and dealing with asbestos. Top-of-the-line options like the AMX Mistral offer comfort, protection, quality, and durability in one convenient package.
View the full range of SARs here
When do you need an air-fed respirator?
Whenever you’re working in an area with compromised air quality or poor ventilation!
This includes industrial and agricultural environments, as well as situations where you’re in close contact with solvents and paints, which can cause adverse health reactions ranging from headache and dizziness to respiratory problems and collapse.
If you’re working with isocyanate paints (widely used in automotive repairs and in spray-on polyurethane products and protective coatings for commercial, industrial, and retail applications), an air-fed respirator is non-negotiable in order to protect your respiratory system.
Essentially, if you’re working in a situation where you’re coming into contact with substances or toxins that might be hazardous to your health, an air-fed respirator is a safety essential.
Feel free to contact Matt with any questions or for assistance choosing a different product.